The University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine (USF) is committed to training future physicians who will make life better for their patients. By giving their students access to world-class instructors and innovative research opportunities, they believe they will improve patient safety and health outcomes in their communities post-graduation. In addition to their core classes and clerkship training, students are also expected to show up ready to abide by the medical school's many academic and professional rules. If a student is unable to keep up with their academic or clerkship assignments or misbehaves at all, they will be held responsible for such actions.
Being accused of academic or professional misconduct, or being told that you are not performing as well as your classmates, can be very jarring. The best thing you can do is hire a medical student defense attorney-advisor to help advocate for you. Navigating these proceedings can be super stressful. Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team and medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can help. Call today.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
USF Morsani College of Medicine gives each student a copy of the student handbook at the beginning of the year. This handbook explains to students which behaviors are prohibited while they are in medical school. It also outlines how violation accusations will be handled. With higher-than-average MCAT and GPA requirements and a lower-than-average acceptance rate, USF is keen on upholding its reputation as one of the best medical schools in the country.
Usually, students at USF Morsani College of Medicine are dismissed because of one of the following reasons:
- Failing to maintain a satisfactory GPA.
- Failing more than one class in a semester.
- Failing to pass the USMLE Steps more than the allowable occurrences.
- Violating HIPAA.
- Cheating, plagiarizing, or fabricating information or data.
- Bullying, harassing, hazing, or discriminating against other students, patients, faculty, or staff.
- Being in class or clinical while under the influence.
- Using alcohol or drugs during classes, exams, or clinical clerkships.
- Destroying, damaging, or stealing a university, hospital, or someone else's property.
- Disturbing classroom or hospital functions.
- Violating local, state, or federal law.
- Misusing university information technology or social media.
- Performing treatments, surgeries, or other medical actions without supervision, technical skill, or fundamental knowledge.
- Assaulting or battering someone.
- Title IX or sexual misconduct.
Many students decide to pursue a defense to these accusations on their own and end up being unsuccessful. Medical student defense attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team have worked with students all over the country, giving them unparalleled experience in disciplinary proceedings. They will be able to use that knowledge and skill to help you overcome these accusations. Furthermore, Attorney-advisor Lento will reach out to the Office of General Counsel at USF to negotiate on your behalf.
Adjudication Process at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
When a student is accused of violating the code of conduct, the initial complaint is investigated by the Office of Student Affairs. If they determine that there is enough evidence to support the accusation, they will notify both the accused student and the complainant of the date of a formal hearing. You are expected to show up with a comprehensive defense to the accusations, which you will get to present.
After both you and the complainant have had the chance to present evidence and witness testimony and question one another's witnesses, the hearing body in charge will meet in private to review the evidence presented and determine if you are responsible for the accused actions. And if they decide that you are responsible, they will then determine which sanctions to impose on you. Sanctions for professional or academic misconduct will range from warning letters to suspension or dismissal from the program.
Additionally, at the end of each semester and academic year, the Academic Performance Review Committee (APRC) reviews student files to see who is having a difficult time passing their courses and clerkships. Because there are specific standards students have to meet to be allowed to advance to the next year of classes, the APRC will refer struggling students to a hearing. During this hearing, the APRC will decide if the student should be allowed to continue in the program and participate in a remediation plan or if they should be dismissed from the program altogether.
Whichever adjudication process you are on, Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team and Attorney-advisor Lento will be able to help.
Appeals Process
USF Morsani College of Medicine does not describe the appeals process for professional and academic misconduct decisions, but the instructions should be included in the hearing body's decision letter. Typically, medical schools allow students up to ten days to appeal and specify what grounds the appeal must be made on. For instance, students must describe if there was a procedural error during the hearing that affected the outcome or if they believe the sanction was much harsher than the accused violation.
Additionally, USF Morsani College of Medicine does outline how students should pursue an APRC appeal. APRC decisions can be appealed to the Vice Dean for Educational Affairs. This appeal must be made in writing within five days of receiving APRC's decision. The Vice Dean will review the appeal and decide if the matter should be heard again, upheld completely, or if the sanctions should be amended.
If the idea of filing an appeal seems overwhelming, Attorney-advisor Lento can help.
How a Practiced Medical Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Dealing with disciplinary actions or academic progression conferences can cause extra stress and anxiety, particularly when you already have to balance your class load with studying and outside relationships. Medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team appreciate this and will make sure you are fully prepared to defend your place in medical school. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
