The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics is the only dentistry school in Iowa, established in 1882. The institution is one of two nationwide dental colleges offering all ADA specialty programs. It is part of the University of Iowa complex and one of the country's most high-ranking dental schools. Due to its rigorous programs and strong reputation, graduates can look forward to numerous career opportunities. However, to remain enrolled in the school of dentistry, students must consistently demonstrate professionalism and progress academically.
If you are a dentistry student at the UI College of Dentistry, you're under considerable pressure to succeed. Although it's common knowledge that dentistry college comes with many challenges, it's also common to make mistakes. Your professors are there to guide you when these mistakes happen. But some errors cause immense damage to your progress, and they extend to your future as well. Whether it was a judgment lapse or due to the pressure you're facing, you need the guidance of an attorney-advisor when you face sanctions.
Professionalism and Behavioral Expectations
The College of Dentistry follows the code of conduct imposed by the University of Iowa. As a dentistry student, you must consistently maintain professional and ethical behavior befitting your future profession as a dentist. You're in a sensitive public position with privileges and working with patients, and so your ethics matter in the broader scope of your career. Moreover, since the college of dentistry is one of the most prestigious in the nation, imposing strict penalties for ethical violations is unsurprising.
The Code of Academic Standards at UI defines violations, describes the adjudication process, and lists sanctions for infarctions. Examples of academic dishonesty include:
- Cheating on an exercise, test, or quiz
- Plagiarizing the work of another person by not crediting the author
- Collaborating with your peers without a professor's authorization
- Deliberately misrepresenting information to administrators and faculty members
- Helping a peer commit academic dishonesty
The Academic Standards Committee (ASC) reviews cases of academic misconduct and imposes sanctions. The minor sanctions include repeating an exam or course. Severe sanctions include completing a 20-hour Academic Integrity Seminar, suspension, and expulsion. As a dental student, you must take these charges seriously because they can cause significant damage to your progress and reputation later.
Academic Issues
It's no secret that dentistry is no walk in the park, but it's your responsibility to keep up with your peers and gain knowledge, lead teams and work with patients. Dentistry students must consistently maintain good grades to progress to the next phase of their programs. Students must have a GPA of 2.0 and above to avoid placement on academic probation. If a student is on probation consecutively for two semesters, they face permanent dismissal from the college.
Fortunately, you can appeal a dismissal if you believe the charges are unfair or inaccurate. When facing this sanction, writing an appeal letter is crucial to receiving a committee's consideration. An Attorney-Advisor with experience in these matters helps you increase the chances of a fair review by the committee.
Repercussions of Suspension and Expulsion
The university reserves the severest sanctions for significant violations or repeated offenses. However, there's a difference between a temporary dismissal and a permanent one. A suspension is burdensome and delays your graduation. However, you still have the chance to complete the rest of your program without issues. Expulsions are another story because they affect your short and long-term future. Even if you finish most of your program, expulsion puts you back where you started. You may have to give up your dream of becoming a dentist altogether.
Some obstacles you may face after receiving an expulsion from the college of dentistry include:
- Reputation Damage: Dentistry may be a large field, but the world is small. Some of your peers from college may remember that you received an expulsion for bad behavior or academic issues, and you will meet them later. In other cases, an employer may deal with you more harshly due to the notation on your record.
- Inability to Start Over: All of the time and effort you placed into your degree no longer matter when you receive an expulsion. You cannot start where you left off because each medical school offers a unique approach to its dentistry program.
- Financial Issues: Getting through dental school and starting a career costs thousands for students. An expulsion places you deeper in debt than when you started. With a permanent dismissal, you still need to pay back your loans and face unexpected expenses. You may also lose housing and must find a new place to stay.
It is worth giving it your all when you're fighting an accusation that may lead to expulsion. Don't assume that you can tackle the issue on your own. These cases can be tricky, and you may not have the best defense strategy to decrease the likelihood of an unfavorable case outcome. In this situation, the first step is to stay calm and not discuss the issue with your peers. The second is to call an attorney-advisor that specializes in student defense.
Calling An Attorney-Advisor
When your degree and future career are at risk, you need the experience of a student defense advisor who works with students nationwide. Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento has years of experience tackling cases that may lead to harsh sanctions like expulsion. With his guidance and approach, you won't have to face these troubling times alone.
You worked hard and spent considerable time ensuring you have what it takes to become a dentist. Whether you made a genuine mistake or had a lapse in judgment, expulsion from medical school has repercussions that extend beyond your reputation and affect your future career.
Every minute counts in your case outcome if you or a loved one faces sanctions for academic, professional, or ethical issues. Call the Lento Law Firm today for an honest and transparent conversation at 888-535-3686.
