Founded in 1887, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a leading research center, hospital, and medical university based in Portland, Oregon. Named the state's best hospital in a U.S. News & World Report's “Best Hospitals 2022-23” ranking), it is also Oregon's top employer and its only public academic health center.
OHSU maintains a network of hospitals and clinics across the state and in Southwest Washington, serving all of Oregon's communities, including its most vulnerable populations. It offers multiple programs of study - from adult gerontology and biomedical sciences to dentistry, neuroscience, nursing, and radiation therapy - and these programs are provided through five colleges.
Having the chance to receive your medical education from OHSU is no doubt a great opportunity and one you'll want to take great care to protect. It's no surprise, then, that you'd be concerned about your future at this prestigious institution, especially if you've been accused of misconduct or unprofessional behavior. This school has high expectations for its students, and the dismissal process can be intimidating, to say the least. Knowing how to navigate this process (and achieve your best possible outcome!) is important.
Fortunately, we have a student defense team standing by, ready to help. Just call us at (888) 535-3686 today!
Potential Reasons for Dismissal
OHSU has built its dismissal policies around a formal Code of Conduct that has been designed to encourage only the best behavior and actions from everyone associated with the university. This includes students and faculty, collectively referred to as members.
The Code is based on the school's Core Values: Integrity, Transparency, Service Excellence, and Diversity, and it branches out from there. As a result, there are a variety of behaviors and actions that could find you facing a suspension or dismissal hearing, but some common reasons include:
- Theft
- Plagiarism
- Bullying, fighting
- Harassment, including verbal, physical, and sexual
- Fabrication of data
- Falsifying documents
- Substance abuse
- Behavior that endangers the safety and wellbeing of others
- Sharing proprietary, private, or otherwise restricted OHSU information and data
- Intimidation
- Threats of violence
- Unprofessional behavior
- Unlawful behavior
The school provides a secure website for OHSU members to access this Code; a public version can be found here.
OHSU's Proscribed Conduct Relating to Students from its Policy Manual outlines additional clarification of what is considered unacceptable conduct, specifically from students. This document includes actions and behaviors such as possession of a weapon, disruption or prevention of teaching or patient care, and the malicious misuse, damage, or theft of institutional property.
Also, remember that OHSU has several colleges under its banner, and each has adopted its own Student Handbook, to be used in conjunction with the school's Code of Conduct and the policy manual's Proscribed Conduct mentioned above. The handbook for the College of Nursing, for example, includes clinical performance, patient care, and the failure to meet academic requirements as cause for suspension, probation, or dismissal.
OHSU provides a complete list of Colleges and their respective handbooks online for clarification.
Together these lists provide a comprehensive outline of the conduct expected from OHSU students. Failure to meet these expectations can result in suspension, probation, or complete dismissal, but we can help with that.
In fact, the Lento Student Defense Team can help you with all school-related issues and concerns so that you can continue your academic career and medical vocation.
Understanding the Dismissal Process
Before OHSU will suspend or dismiss a student, there must be a formal hearing where the student is allowed to present their case. You should be notified of this hearing in writing by your specific school or college, and that letter will include your rights as a student along with the reasons for the hearing.
In most cases, you are allowed to continue attending classes and pursuing your program of choice while you wait for the outcome of the hearing. However, if the Provost or Program Director determines that your continued attendance would disrupt the school's normal process or pose a threat of harm, physical or mental, to you or someone else, you can be suspended immediately and without prior notice. This is known as an interim suspension, and you will not be allowed to participate in any school-related activities, including classes until a hearing has been held and a decision has been rendered.
The Dean of your school or college will appoint a committee to formally hear the case. All hearing proceedings are closed to the public, and a recording will be made of the entire event. You are allowed to bring an advisor or support person to the hearing, however, and this person can be an attorney if notice is provided to the Dean at least five days in advance.
Now, our team can't formally participate in your hearing. But we can walk you through this very complex process, and having an experienced Advisor in your corner can make a huge difference in the outcome. We can help you prepare your case and present a compelling argument to the committee, and we can give you the support you need to fight for the best possible outcome.
You don't have to go through this alone; let us help you find the best way to present your case.
Yes, You Can Appeal!
After the hearing, the committee will make a recommendation to the Dean, who will then notify you in writing of the decision. This can take up to twenty (20) days from the final date of the hearing. Once you've received this determination letter, you have ten (10) business days to file your appeal with the Provost, so time is of the essence.
Your appeal must be based on one (or more) of only three grounds:
- The school failed to follow correct procedure, resulting in prejudice against the student
- New and pertinent information has become available
- The decision conflicts with state or federal law or OHSU policies
The Provost then has thirty (30) days to consider your appeal and notify you in writing of the outcome. The Provost's decision is final.
Given the short time frames involved, it's crucial that you're able to act quickly and file an effective appeal in a timely manner. Having an experienced student defense team on your side can make this process much easier. We can help you craft an appeal that's both persuasive and well-supported by evidence and legal precedent, giving you the best chance for a positive outcome.
Let the Lento Student Defense Team Help You
If you're facing potential suspension or dismissal from OHSU, or if you need to file an appeal, our firm can help! We understand that this can be a stressful time for you, and we know the process can be overwhelming.
So, don't try to face it on your own.
Our firm has been working with colleges and universities like yours for a long time, and we know how to work with academic administrators to achieve the best possible outcome. We may not be able to formally participate in your proceedings, but we can certainly advise you along the way.
Let us help you prepare your case and defend your standing as a student at Oregon Health & Science University. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or use our live chat feature online today to schedule a consultation.
