As a leading medical school, St. James School of Medicine (SJSM) attracts some of the brightest, most promising doctors in the making. Being accepted as a student at SJSM is a privilege – and one that comes with its share of responsibilities. All SJSM medical students are held to rigorous academic, moral, and ethical standards. This is unsurprising, given the responsibility doctors hold when they complete their training.
Any mistake, however small or accidental, could lead to disciplinary action at SJSM. The most serious misconduct violations may even result in suspension or, in the worst case, dismissal from the program. Dismissal from the St. James School of Medicine could have a profound impact on your ability to complete training and practice medicine anywhere in the US. That's why it's critical to get legal advice the moment you suspect you're facing serious disciplinary action.
If you're dealing with the prospect of SJSM dismissal, contact the Lento Law Firm. Our Education Law Team will immediately explain your rights and help you protect your position. Let us help you handle medical school disciplinary action as effectively as possible. Call now at 888.535.3686 or leave us a message online to schedule a consultation.
Grounds for SJSM Dismissal
The SJSM Student Catalog contains a comprehensive amount of information regarding when the school might dismiss a student from the program. Student conduct expectations can be found from p.57 onwards. According to the school policies, conduct which may result in dismissal includes but is not limited to:
- Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is any attempt to present work for credit that is not the student's own work. This includes plagiarism, cheating, using unauthorized materials, buying or selling exam answers, and colluding with another student unless it's an approved group project. Any academic dishonesty, however slight, could lead to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.
- Performance concerns: SJSM students who repeatedly fail to carry out their assigned clinical duties, miss academic submission deadlines, or fail to complete on-call shifts could face dismissal.
- Misconduct and antisocial behavior: The school holds students to high moral and ethical standards. Students who cause disturbances on and around campus or make defamatory statements about the school could face disciplinary action. Even public intoxication may result in sanctions up to and including dismissal from SJSM.
Preliminary Investigations
The SJSM Disciplinary Committee takes responsibility for receiving referrals about concerns such as academic misconduct, Honor Code violations, and ethics violations. When the Disciplinary Committee receives a report, they'll alert the student involved and undertake initial investigations. The exact nature of these investigations depends on the accusations levied against the student. However, they usually involve speaking to the student directly, reviewing written and electronic records, and talking to witnesses.
Based on the Disciplinary Committee's findings, the matter may be resolved informally or proceed to a formal hearing.
Academic Misconduct and Suspension
As set out in the school catalog, SJSM reserves the right to suspend students immediately if there are allegations involving academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism or cheating. This means that even if you are entirely innocent of the accusations, the moment there's an academic complaint against you, the school can temporarily exclude you from the program. This is, of course, highly concerning as it interferes with your academic and professional progress. It could also result in a permanent mark on your disciplinary record. Contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team immediately if you're suspended pending a formal disciplinary hearing.
The SJSM Adjudication Process
Following the initial investigations, the matter may proceed to a formal disciplinary hearing. This is your opportunity to tell your side of the story, present your own evidence, and convince the Committee that you deserve the chance to continue your education at SJSM.
The exact process the Committee follows can be found in your copy of the Disciplinary Committee Standard Operating Procedure, which is not publicly available, but you can access it from your portal. Our attorneys can help you understand the procedures involved so you know what to expect – and how to counter the accusations most effectively.
Alternatives to Dismissal
There are various alternatives to dismissal, even for misconduct and academic dishonesty issues. These alternatives include:
- Repeating assignments and/or full courses
- Undertaking community service
- Loss of certain privileges, e.g., IT privileges
- Suspension
Even if you made a mistake and violated a school policy, dismissal should not be the school's preferred method of punishment. You have the right to due process, and the penalty should be proportionate to the infringement. Our Education Law Team will rigorously uphold your procedural rights and, where possible, negotiate a less severe outcome that is acceptable to all parties.
Appealing St. James School of Medicine Dismissal
As specified on p.60 of the catalog, you have the right to appeal any Disciplinary Committee decision. The Appeal Procedure involves:
- Notifying the SJSM Dean of your decision to appeal.
- Providing written evidence in support of your position. You must also specify a reason for your appeal, e.g., the decision was procedurally unfair or disproportionate, or you are innocent of wrongdoing.
- The evidence and reasons for the appeal should be submitted to the Chief Academic Officer.
Appeals are complex, and there's no guarantee of success. The best remedy is always to avoid dismissal in the first instance. However, our firm is ready and waiting to provide urgent assistance to any SJSM student facing dismissal or who has already been dismissed and needs immediate support with the appeals process.
Retain the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team
At the Lento Law Firm, we know how much your medical career matters to you. And we believe that you deserve the chance to reach your full potential. You do not need to face dismissal from medical school alone. Give yourself the best possible opportunity to retain your place at the St. James School of Medicine. Let the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team explain the strengths and weaknesses of your position and propose a course of action. Call 888.535.3686 now to schedule a meeting, or contact our firm online.
