Chamberlain University, a for-profit educational institution, helps students prepare for careers within the field of nursing at numerous campuses across the United States. The University consists of two colleges: the College of Nursing and the College of Health Professions. The former offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing programs, while the latter extends master's degrees in public health, physician's assistant studies, and social work. The Missouri Campus of Chamberlain University is conveniently located a few blocks from I-270, just east of the trendy Westport Plaza Shopping Center in northwest St. Louis, MO.
While for-profit institutions can offer excellent education leading to fulfilling careers, it does not mean they invariably act in the best interest of their students. Some have regrettably resorted to questionable practices in their disciplinary procedures, sometimes culminating in unfair suspensions or dismissals driven by financial motivations. If you are a nursing student at Chamberlain University in St. Louis, Missouri, and you're facing allegations of misconduct, it is crucial to safeguard your interests with guidance from a seasoned education law attorney. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is nationally renowned for helping students resolve disciplinary issues at their respective schools. We are here to protect your rights and strive towards the most advantageous outcome possible. To arrange a consultation, reach out to the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form.
Categories of Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University's St. Louis campus adheres to the same set of rules and regulations as all other Chamberlain campuses. These guidelines are outlined in the school's Student Handbook, which categorizes student misconduct into three primary types, as discussed below.
Academic Misconduct
The Student Handbook outlines several forms of academic dishonesty that may warrant disciplinary measures, including:
- Plagiarism: This refers to intentionally or unintentionally presenting someone else's work as your own.
- Copying: This involves unjustly obtaining information from a fellow student, or enabling another student to replicate your work.
- Collusion: This is an unauthorized collaboration between students on assignments, including taking another student's place in exams, papers, or other student tasks.
- Utilizing unauthorized aids for assignments or examinations.
- Record Alteration: This entails forging signatures or altering completed exams/assignments to misrepresent the original work.
- Unauthorized Use of Proprietary Materials.
- Bribery: This includes offering bribes to secure an unfair academic advantage.
- Acts of Dishonesty: Examples include falsifying statements or documents for academic gain or providing incorrect information related to assignments.
Professional Misconduct
The Professional Conduct Policy in Chamberlain University's Student Handbook specifies additional forms of misconduct that could lead to disciplinary actions. These include:
- Disrupting university operations: For instance, causing disruptions to teaching, research, administrative tasks, or any other university activities.
- Non-adherence to instructions during examinations.
- Aggressive behavior: Examples include physical or verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation towards any university student, faculty, or staff member.
- Theft or damage to university property or the belongings of university students, faculty, or staff.
- Hazing.
- Bullying/cyberbullying.
- Inflammatory conduct: Examples include making derogatory comments about a group or race, making inflammatory statements about personal, political, or religious beliefs, or using offensive language.
- Gambling at university events or using university resources.
- Drug and alcohol violations: This includes illegal possession, distribution, or sale of drugs, or selling/distributing alcohol contrary to school regulations.
Title IX Violations
Like other institutions that receive federal funding, Chamberlain University must comply with current Title IX federal regulations. These rules encompass various forms of sexual misconduct, which the university's Title IX policy strictly prohibits. The forbidden behavior includes:
- Sexual misconduct: This covers sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
- Quid-pro-quo harassment: This involves offering favors in return for sexual acts.
- Creating a hostile environment: This entails partaking in unwelcome behavior that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive to the point of impeding equal access to education based on sex.
Chamberlain University's Disciplinary Process
If you're accused of misconduct under any of the categories above, Chamberlain University has specific protocols in place to address these allegations, depending on the type.
For Academic Misconduct: Instructors are empowered to manage academic misconduct incidents by imposing penalties, which may extend to failing the course. In more serious instances, the situation can be escalated to a Hearing Panel for review. Students accused of misconduct can defend themselves at a hearing, and if found culpable, they can request an administrative review.
For Professional Misconduct: When dealing with allegations of professional misconduct, a designated conduct administrator investigates the accusation and attempts to resolve it. If the matter remains unresolved, it is elevated to a Professional Review Committee, which operates similarly to the Hearing Panels in academic misconduct cases. The accused student has the right to cross-examine witnesses and appeal any decision they find unjust.
For Title IX Violations: Upon receiving a Title IX sexual misconduct complaint, the university is bound to adhere to current federal regulations to assess and penalize the alleged misconduct. A three-member Decision-Maker panel, appointed by the Title IX coordinator, presides over the hearing. This panel employs a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard for their judgment. Students have the right to appeal against any unfavorable decisions.
Sanctions for Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University maintains a strict policy against all forms of misconduct. If you are found to have breached their policies, the school may impose one or more of the following sanctions against you:
- Denial or revocation of admission to the university;
- Issuing a warning or reprimand;
- Placing the student on probation;
- Loss of certain privileges;
- Imposition of fines or requirement of restitution;
- Mandatory additional training;
- Restriction of contact with any alleged victims;
- Suspension from the university;
- Expulsion; and/or
- Revocation of degree.
The Lento Law Firm: Your Ally in Dealing with Misconduct Allegations
As a student at Chamberlain University in St. Louis, Missouri, if you find yourself navigating the turbulent waters of misconduct allegations, the situation can be incredibly stressful. You may feel powerless, helpless, and at a disadvantage due to time constraints, lack of understanding of the process, or inadequate resources to defend yourself. Without guidance from an experienced education attorney, your rights could unknowingly be infringed upon, and the disciplinary actions brought against you could have enduring adverse effects on both your academic trajectory and future nursing career.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team brings to the table a wealth of nationwide experience in resolving student defense cases. We will meticulously evaluate the allegations leveled against you, gather pertinent evidence, aid you in crafting a solid defense strategy, assist with negotiations, and, if required, help you lodge an appeal. Throughout this process, we'll safeguard your rights as a student and ensure that the university adheres to its own principles of due process.
Don't jeopardize your academic advancement and future career by tackling misconduct allegations on your own. The Lento Law Firm Team can greatly improve your chances of reaching a favorable outcome. Contact us at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or fill out our online form.
