The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences (UToledo) is a world-class educational institution focused on providing its students with cutting-edge research opportunities and top-notch instruction. Its goal is to train the next generation of medical professionals to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care to their communities. With this in mind, they expect their students to abide by certain academic and professional rules. If a student is accused of violating one of these rules, they will be referred for disciplinary action, which may include a dismissal hearing.
Working with an academic attorney-advisor is the best way to ensure the university upholds your due process rights and does not unnecessarily punish you. Academic attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team understand the kinds of pressure you are under. They will work tirelessly to build a strong defense on your behalf. Call Lento Law Firm Team today for help.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Medical school is difficult to get into. In fact, most students that apply are not accepted. UToledo receives over 6,500 applications each year but can only offer spots to 176 of those applicants. If you are lucky enough to gain admission to UToledo, you can expect they will want to ensure you are there to learn. As such, if a student is unable to progress on the outlined academic track or they are accused of some kind of misconduct, the matter will be investigated and adjudicated.
Generally, there are a number of ways students can be dismissed from their medical school program, including:
- Committing academic misconduct, like cheating on an exam or plagiarizing a paper.
- Failing to maintain satisfactory grades.
- Failing multiple courses a semester.
- Failing any of the USMLE Steps several times.
- Physically injuring another student, teacher, or member of the hospital staff.
- Sexually assaulting anyone, on or off campus.
- Violating federal, state, or local laws.
- Offering medical advice without supervision.
- Being intoxicated, whether from alcohol, prescription drugs, or controlled substances.
- Damaging or destroying university or hospital property.
- Violating patient confidentiality.
Sometimes, medical students are accused and found responsible for misconduct without any supporting evidence. When this happens, it is because the university has failed to uphold your due process rights to a fair and just hearing process. Attorney-advisor Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team understand how frustrating situations like that can be. Hiring an attorney-advisor is the only way to make sure someone is in your corner, watching and protecting you from such blatant procedural errors.
Moreover, if you are unaware of your right to an advisor prior to the proceedings, academic attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can reach out to UToledo's Office of General Counsel to negotiate the issue further. Call our offices today.
Adjudication Process at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences
Each student at UToledo College of Medicine receives a student handbook at the start of the year. This handbook describes all the policies students, faculty, and staff have to abide by, as well as the procedures the school will take to adjudicate any issues.
When a UToledo medical student scores below 60% on an academic assignment or clinical performance, fails two or more foundational science threads or clinical clerkships, takes more than 36 months to complete foundational sciences, or takes over six years to complete the curriculum, they will be referred to the Student Promotions Committee (SPC). The SPC will determine, based on the facts, whether the student should be offered a remediation plan or should be dismissed from the program. If they offer the student a chance to remediate the course, clinical clerkship, or assignment, the Academic Progress Committee will take over the case and keep a close eye on the student's progress.
Now, students who are caught violating the school's academic or professional rules will be referred to the Medical Student Honor Code (MHSC). The MHSC will review the issue and decide whether to close the case or refer it to the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) Dean. And if a student commits an egregious professional violation or has acquired more than three professional behavior reports, the OSA Dean will have their case reviewed by the Conduct and Ethics Committee.
If the Conduct and Ethics Committee is in charge of reviewing your case, they will give you the opportunity to present evidence and witness testimony to support your defense. At the end of the hearing, after both sides have been heard fully, the Committee will determine whether you are responsible for the accused violations. If they determine that you are responsible, they will impose specific sanctions on you. Sanctions can be anything from a written warning letter to suspension or expulsion.
Appeals Process
Once you receive the Committee's decision, you have the option to appeal it. Appeals must be made to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies within ten days after the hearing. For the appeal to be reviewed, it must include the specific grounds for the appeal.
The Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will review the appeal and have an additional meeting with the student and the college. If an agreement cannot be made there, it will call the Committee on Academic Standing into session to hear the appeal. At the end of the appeal review, the Dean or the Committee on Academic Standing will decide whether the original decision should be upheld, reversed, or modified in some way. Whatever their decision, it is final and cannot be appealed further.
How a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team appreciate how hard it can be to navigate a disciplinary or academic defense, especially if the accusations take you by surprise. Unfortunately, when students are ill-prepared for these hearings, they tend to be less than successful. Attorney-advisor Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team are here to help. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
