Texas A&M University College of Dentistry is a public dental school established in 1905. The dental school is part of Texas A&M University, one of the state's oldest higher education institutions. The school offers the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Master of Science (M.S.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Dental Hygiene degrees, training graduates in 8 dental specialties. With its idyllic location in Dallas, Texas, the school offers students the opportunity to take in the unique cultural aspects of the Lonestar state and study in a world-renowned institution. Upon graduation, dentistry students can look forward to many career opportunities in-state and countrywide.
As a dentistry student, you'll undergo rigorous training and education to become a future dentist. Since you're in a position of public trust, your patients and professors expect you to demonstrate the highest ethical behavior and be an expert in your field. However, you're still a student, meaning you're bound to make mistakes along the way. While your supervisors understand that this is a normal part of the process, some errors are more severe than others. For these types of violations, you face probation, dismissal, and expulsion despite your best efforts. In cases like these, you need the help of a seasoned professional specializing in student defense.
Academic Integrity and Honor Code Policy
As a future dentist, you must demonstrate the highest levels of ethical behavior. This responsibility also applies to your academic approach. Since it is one of the oldest dental schools in the state, Texas A&M College of Dentistry has a reputation to maintain and wants students to have the same level playing field. As a result, actions such as cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and hindering other students from performing well are prohibited activities.
Texas A&M implements the Aggie Honor Code and expects all students to follow its guiding rule: “An Aggie does not lie, cheat or steal, or tolerate those who do.” Thus, all members of the A&M community must report suspected violations of the Honor Code to the Honor System Office. This office promotes the honor code and recommends sanctions for misconduct.
The university takes academic integrity seriously, with a dedicated online page introducing students to the Academic Integrity Development Program. The page also guides students on where to file a violation report, appeal, and apply to the Honor Council. With such a comprehensive policy, dental students must ensure that they do not commit violations as they face harsh sanctions and a detailed adjudication process.
Progression Issues and Academic Performance
Your academic performance as a dental student must improve with every passing year. Due to the potential for mistakes, your supervisors closely monitor your progress as you move along. Even if you're the most ethical student at the College of Dentistry, you must still know what you are doing and understand your curriculum. Otherwise, you can endanger lives and jeopardize the school's reputation. Texas A&M College of Dental Medicine encourages students who are faltering academically to monitor their progress and ask their supervisors for help when they face issues.
Students who have chronic academic issues may find themselves on Academic Probation. Remediation may be an option in this case, but it also comes with extra work and effort to succeed. Although remediation seems like a burden, it is necessary for you to complete your program. Without this option, you may forgo your dream of becoming a dentist and lose your placement at the university.
Consequences of Permanent Dismissal
Students with significant behavioral, ethical and academic issues cannot continue their programs and face heavy sanctions that impact their future. Two of these sanctions have the most adverse impact on your transcript: suspension and expulsion. A temporary dismissal is infinitely better than a permanent one because you still have hope when it comes to graduation. However, receiving a permanent discharge upends your future, affects your reputation and creates issues when you want to move on and look for a new program.
Some of the issues you may face after being expelled include:
- Reputation Damage: Your reputation is at stake after you receive a permanent discharge. Your peers and supervisors may have a wrong idea about what happened, affecting you many years later.
- Loss of Morale and Psychological Distress: Nobody enrolls in dental school to receive an expulsion. Unfortunately, mistakes happen, and they can wreak havoc on your mental health. You will experience a loss of morale and may choose to forgo this career altogether.
- Slim Chances of Reenrollment: You may mistakenly assume that you can start over in another school of dentistry. The truth is far more complex. While finding a new school is not impossible, your application will not be as attractive to admissions officers when you have an expulsion charge. This scenario holds especially true when you compare your application to a student with an unblemished record.
- Financial Difficulties: Dental school is expensive and becomes more burdensome financially when you have to deal with unexpected expenses. A permanent dismissal adds to your debt and strips you of financial aid and scholarships.
With all that can go wrong, you must act with precision when slapped with an allegation of misconduct or poor performance. Instead of getting angry or feeling despair, you need the help of an attorney-advisor with years of experience working with students facing sanctions.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
After everything you went through, it may seem like there is no chance for a favorable case outcome. However, when you work with an attorney-advisor specializing in student defense, your chances of success increase.
Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento specializes in student defense. With years of experience working on challenging and complex cases, Advisor Lento knows what's at stake and negotiates for a fair case outcome. With the help of an advisor, you can work together to gather evidence, confront allegations, and work towards a less damaging sanction.
If you face allegations of behavioral or academic issues at Texas A&M College of Dental Medicine, don't delay. Although every case is unique, tackling the allegations alone decreases the likelihood of a fair outcome. Call the Lento Law Firm today for a consultation at 888-535-3686.
