Chamberlain University is a national for-profit university with campuses in multiple states. The University includes two schools: a College of Nursing offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral nursing degrees and a College of Health Professions offering master's degrees in public health, physician's assistant, and social work. In Illinois, Chamberlain University maintains campuses in downtown Chicago, Tinley Park, and Addison (which also serves as the organization's main campus).
For-profit institutions fill important niches within the higher-education market, but some, unfortunately, have a tendency toward unscrupulous practices associated with their profit-making interests—including sometimes manipulating their student-misconduct policies for financial gain. Any school, including for-profit schools, has a duty to give their students a good education while respecting their procedural rights and their interest in graduating. If you're a nursing student at an Illinois Chamberlain University campus and you're facing misconduct allegations, don't let the school ignore its own policies and procedures while treating you unfairly in a misconduct proceeding. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has abundant experience with the intersection of school policies and student rights. We can work with you to ensure your rights are protected and help you obtain the best outcome possible. Reach out to the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form.
Misconduct Policies at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University's Illinois campuses in Chicago, Addison, and Tinley Park follow the university's nationwide student codes of conduct. Chamberlain University has both an academic misconduct code and student conduct code in its student handbook and a further Title IX policy addressing sex discrimination and sexual harassment. Student misconduct raises significant concern throughout higher education, including at Chamberlain University.
Types of Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Academic Misconduct. The Student Code of Conduct within Chamberlain University's student handbook defines the traditional forms of prohibited academic misconduct for which the university may initiate disciplinary proceedings in a non-exhaustive list that includes a broad “other” category. Examples include:
- Copying, defined as any act of taking information from another student by any means to obtain an advantage for oneself, conveying information to another student for that student's advantage, or representing another's work as one's own;
- Plagiarism, defined as the intentional or unintentional act of representing someone else's work as one's own;
- Collusion, defined as two or more students actively cooperating on any assignment when the instructor has not expressly permitted such activity, or any individual representing another student or being represented by another person for purposes of taking an examination, authoring a paper or assignment, or fulfilling the other student's obligation in any way;
- Alteration of records, defined to include forging signatures, changing the time or content of any completed examination or assignment while representing it as the original;
- Unauthorized aids used for assignments or examinations;
- Unauthorized use of proprietary materials;
- Bribery for undue academic advantage; and
- Acts of dishonesty, defined as misrepresenting facts for purposes of academic advantage or furnishing false information in connection with assignments.
Professional Misconduct. Chamberlain University's student handbook includes a separate Professional Conduct Policy that lists these additional forms of prohibited student conduct, among other violations of law:
- Disruption of teaching, research, administration, or other university activities;
- Failure to follow directives during the administration of an exam;
- Physical or verbal abuse, threats, and intimidation coercing any university student, faculty, or staff member;
- Theft or other damage to or destruction of university property or property of university students, faculty, or staff;
- Bullying or cyberbullying, defined as abusive or aggressive conduct intimidating another and a reasonable person;
- Hazing, defined as any action or situation created to place another in fear, fright, or distress over bodily harm, danger, or mental discomfort, associated with group membership;
Provocative or aggressive conduct that communicates derogatory statements about a group or race, inflammatory statements about a personal, political, or religious view, or profane language;
- Gambling at university functions or using university equipment;
- Drug possession, distribution, or sale, except as law and the university policy expressly permit;
- Alcohol possession, distribution, or sale, except as law and university policy expressly permit.
Title IX Violations. Any college or university receiving federal funding must comply with current federal Title IX regulations. The current federal interpretation covers various forms of sexual misconduct, each of which Chamberlain University's Title IX policy also prohibits. These include:
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking;
- Quid-pro-quo harassment (attempting to trade favors for sex) or
- Unwelcome conduct so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive as to deny equal access to education based on sex.
Misconduct Procedures at Chamberlain University
College or university procedures can be just as important as definitions of student misconduct when determining the truth of disputed allegations. Procedures are important to the reliability and fairness of the outcomes. Consider the following outline of Chamberlain University's student-misconduct procedures, first as to academic misconduct, then professional misconduct, and then as to Title IX violations.
Academic Misconduct. Chamberlain University's student handbook permits the involved instructor to address student academic misconduct, imposing a sanction up to failing the course. The instructor may also refer academic misconduct to a Hearing Panel for a review, about which the Hearing Panel notifies the student of the charge and at which the Hearing Panel invites the student to attend. The student may present evidence at the Hearing Panel review with the assistance of an attorney-advisor who may not speak for the student. A student found to have committed academic misconduct may request an administrative review in the nature of an appeal.
Professional Misconduct. Chamberlain University's student handbook provides that a conduct administrator receives complaints about student professional misconduct. If the conduct administrator cannot resolve the complaint to the complainant and student's satisfaction, then a Professional Review Committee hears the charge. The Professional Review Committee follows procedures like those above for Hearing Panels on academic misconduct, except that the student may also submit questions for any witnesses. The student may appeal an adverse decision.
Title IX Procedures. A college or university receiving a complaint about Title IX forms of sexual misconduct must follow current federal Title IX regulations to determine whether misconduct occurred. These regulations are often modified according to the policies and interpretations of incoming presidential administrations.
Chamberlain University's Title IX policy preserves these and other federal Title IX rights. The procedures are similar to those for academic misconduct and professional misconduct. The hearing occurs before a three-member Decision-Maker panel chosen by the university's Title IX coordinator. The accused student may have an attorney-advisor attend, although the student questions the witness, not the advisor. The panel applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard. Appeal from an adverse decision is possible.
Misconduct Sanctions at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University treats academic misconduct as seriously as other colleges and universities to comply with federal Title IX regulations and to preserve the integrity of its programs and degrees. Chamberlain University's student handbook and Title IX policy together list these potential misconduct sanctions:
- Denial of admission;
- Rescinded admission;
- Warning;
- Probation;
- Loss of privileges;
- Fines and restitution;
- Additional training;
- Restriction on contact;
- Suspension from enrollment;
- Enrollment termination;
- Revocation of degree.
How the Lento Law Firm Can Help
Misconduct charges of any type can cause any student to experience fear, distraction, and depression. Students facing misconduct charges often don't have the time, skills, and resources to navigate disciplinary proceedings and successfully defend against the allegations. Some students believe that a charge means a violation. Avoid these errors if you face any kind of misconduct charge at any of Chamberlain University's Illinois campuses. Don't let a for-profit university ignore its own procedures and pursue your suspension or dismissal while keeping your tuition and loan proceeds.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has nationwide experience with student defense cases like yours. We have both the skill and experience to successfully defend against any Chamberlain University academic misconduct charges. Chamberlain University's procedures provide protections that enable our Team to help you assess allegations, identify evidence to present, identify how to challenge the complainant's evidence, and analyze and appeal adverse findings, to defeat false or exaggerated charges.
Regardless of how baseless the allegations against you might be, don't underestimate their potential impact. Student misconduct allegations can adversely affect your reputation, education, and future career, sometimes even before you realize your rights have been violated. Hundreds of college and university students nationwide have retained the Lento Law Firm Team to defend and defeat academic misconduct allegations. Take steps now to protect your future. Call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or complete our online form.
