If you're a dental student, you know it's taken years to get you where you are today—especially if you're a dental student at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.
The School of Dental Medicine is a leading institution in its field. For over a century, the School of Dental Medicine has connected ambitious future dental professionals with opportunities for cutting-edge education, research, clinical practice, and relevant community service opportunities.
Getting into the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine was an accomplishment. Unfortunately, it's no guarantee that you'll be able to get your degree without any obstacles standing in your way.
More and more dental schools are cracking down on issues like academic misconduct, behavioral issues, and even non-misconduct concerns such as a student's failure to progress. Responses to these concerns can be both disproportionate and severe, up to and including abrupt dismissals.
If you're facing dismissal from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, you need to know that you have options. Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team are ready to help you protect your name, your career, and your future.
Why Do Students Experience Dismissal from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine?
There are a few different reasons why a school might try to recommend this type of sanction.
According to the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's code of conduct, some of the most common reasons include extreme academic misconduct (such as repeated cheating or plagiarism), on-campus violence, bullying, hazing, or sexual violence (or inappropriate sexual behavior).
These aren't the only possible ways a student might allegedly merit dismissal. An increasingly common reason schools recommend steep sanctions is due to academic concerns — or that the student is failing to progress through the curriculum as expected.
This can be very difficult to hear as a dental student. You may expect that if you or your school realized that you're struggling, your school might provide additional support. That isn't always the case; more and more often, schools are placing struggling students on probation or recommending dismissal outright.
If your school is recommending dismissal for any reason, it's time for you to get to work. The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine's disciplinary processes can move faster than you think.
What Should I Do if the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Is Sanctioning Me?
Once you realize that you could be facing dismissal (or similarly harsh sanctions), you need to do three things:
- Keep quiet. Don't talk to your friends or educators about your allegations.
- Start gathering information. Write down everything you can remember about your alleged infraction, get a copy of your school's code of conduct, and start an evidence file.
- Retain the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm. (Call 888.535.3686 to get started.)
You'll then be as prepared as possible for your school's sanctioning process. At the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, the sanctioning process includes the following:
- A formal notice from your school
- An investigation into your alleged punishable actions (or into your history of academic performance)
- A formal hearing, at which you will have a chance to tell your side of the story
- A decision regarding your responsibility for the prohibited actions (or your failure to progress academically)
- A disciplinary recommendation.
If your school decides to sanction you, you may have the chance to file an appeal with your school immediately.
It can be a knee-jerk reaction to file this as quickly as possible. To a certain extent, you will need to move quickly. However, you will also only have one chance to file an appeal, so you'll need to make it as strong as possible.
If your school denies your appeal, you may need to take further action.
What Happens if the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Denies My Appeal?
If your school denies your appeal, premier Attorney-Advisor Lento and his Student Defense Team will assess your situation and recommend the most strategic possible steps.
Depending on your circumstances, your options may include:
- Filing a complaint with the New York State Education Department. This may result in a more favorable outcome on its own, but even if it doesn't, it'll show your school you mean business (and may form a good foundation for later legal action).
- Speaking directly with your school's Office of General Counsel. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will reach out to your school's representation on your behalf for a lawyer-to-lawyer conversation. These negotiations are often very successful.
- Filing a lawsuit if your situation deems this step necessary.
Regardless, the Lento Law Firm Team will be able to support you and your best outcome every step of the way.
Are You Facing Dismissal at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine?
If you're worried about your future at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, it's easy to feel entirely alone. You may not feel that you can trust your professors or peers, and your school's administration won't be offering any help.
When you're in that situation, it's time to retain premier Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team. For years, the Student Defense Team has assisted students across the nation with strategic arguments, reasoned defenses, deft representation, and assistance throughout the entire complex school disciplinary process.
Whether you require assistance with the way your school is handling your initial investigation or you're wondering if it's time to drop a lawsuit, the Lento Law Firm Team can provide timely support.
Call 888.535.3686 today to discuss your next steps, or alternatively, fill out this brief form to tell us about your case, and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
