If you've been in medical school for more than a week, you already know how hard it's going to be. Usually schools make clear on day one that courses will be demanding, that clinic hours will push you to your limits, and that your professional and even personal behavior must be above reproach.
That's a lot to worry about. If you should find yourself struggling to meet all those expectations, you certainly wouldn't be the first. You have to take all threats to your career seriously, though. And if someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, you absolutely must fight for your future.
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm can help. We know your rights under the law. We also know the University of Connecticut School of Medicine system. We know the policies and the procedures, who to talk to when you're in trouble, and what to say. And we're absolutely committed to making sure all students get fair treatment and every reasonable chance to complete their degrees. Most important of all, we're only a phone call away at 888-535-3686.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Let's make this as simple as possible. There are essentially only two reasons you can be dismissed from the medical school at UCONN. Either you're struggling with your coursework, or you've been accused of committing some form of misconduct.
- Academic Deficiencies: Job one in medical school is to learn. You learn medical principles in the classroom, and you learn how to apply those principles during clinic. Your school went to a lot of trouble to screen applicants before it let you in, so it wants to do everything it can to help you learn. That means you won't be dismissed the first time you fail an exam or a course. Instead, you'll be assigned a remediation plan and given a chance to catch up. You could also be placed on Academic Warning or Academic Probation. Should you continue to struggle academically, though, you can eventually face dismissal.
- Misconduct: The UCONN School of Medicine will give you every benefit of the doubt when it comes to your classroom performance. In contrast, a single instance of misconduct can be enough to get you dismissed. And there's a lot to worry about when it comes to conduct. Like any University of Connecticut student, you're subject to the university's Code of Conduct. This Code governs your general behavior—things like trespassing or misuse of computer resources. Under the School of Medicine's policies and procedures, you are further expected to maintain academic integrity, and to abide by all standards of professionalism (integrity, respect, altruism, duty, and excellence). You must follow federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual discrimination and harassment. Finally, your personal life is also subject to review. A criminal conviction for something as minor as a DUI can be enough to get you dismissed, even if it happens away from campus.
Academics and conduct aren't always easy to separate when it comes to medical school. The UConn School of Medicine views you holistically as a student, and being a good doctor is just as much about your personal integrity as it is about your knowledge of anatomy. As a result, while several different bodies at the university have jurisdiction over your progress, authority can sometimes overlap. For example, should you get caught cheating on an exam, you'll be subject to discipline from the Academic Integrity Committee (AAC) and the Honor Code Policy Committee (HCPC). You'll also have violated the school's professionalism standards, though, so you may also have to face the Professionalism Review Board (PRB). Ultimately, though, your fate rests in the hands of the Academic Advancement Committee (AAC). All other committees make recommendations to this committee, but the AAC always has the final say when it comes to issuing sanctions.
Fighting Dismissal
You always have the right to fight dismissal. How you do so can differ considerably depending on the accusation against you and which particular governing bodies are handling that accusation. In fact, one reason it's so important to have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side is because it can be so difficult to navigate the system.
In general, though, you should expect certain due process rights no matter what kind of dismissal you're dealing with.
- You have a right to address allegations against you. In fact, in most cases, you have the right to present a full defense at a hearing. You can present evidence, call witnesses to testify, and raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- You have the right to a fair and unbiased evaluation. You can challenge any member of a committee if you think they can't give you a fair hearing.
- You have the right to a clear set of evaluation standards. In most cases, you'll be judged based on the principle of “the preponderance of evidence.” In simple terms, you'll be found “Responsible” (guilty) if decision-makers are more than fifty percent convinced of the Responsibility.
- You always have the right to appeal a dismissal decision, though grounds for appeal are usually limited to the discovery of new evidence or an allegation of procedural error.
In some cases, you have the right to bring an attorney with you to proceedings. The Academic Integrity Board, for instance, allows you to select an advisor, and that advisor can be an attorney.
Whether or not a Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you though, they can play an important role in your defense. They know what makes for a strong argument. They're skilled at finding and organizing evidence. They can work with you to draft documents, come up with questions for witnesses, and work out your own responses to questions.
More important than anything else, though, a Lento Law Firm attorney can monitor your case as it progresses and make sure your school treats you fairly. You have rights. The Lento Law Firm can make sure you get them.
Fighting for Your Future
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent dozens, maybe hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through demanding interviews. The threat of dismissal puts all of that in jeopardy. It means having to look for a new career. It means having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans without a medical degree to help you do it.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and your school is not on your side in this instance. You need someone who is, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You want an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Our Student Defense Team is highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
