The University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry (UNMC) is committed to hands-on learning with cutting-edge technology, exceptional patient care, and training dental professionals with exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are expected to become proficient in all aspects of dental and oral health, patient communication, and practice management. With so much pressure, it's no wonder some students start to act in ways they may not normally.
If you or someone you love has been accused of a disciplinary action, notified of a dismissal hearing, or asked to attend a remediation plan hearing, an attorney-advisor can help. Call our offices today.
University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry Code of Conduct
At UNMC College of Dentistry, dental students are supposed to follow a particular code of conduct, which can be found in the student handbook. The code of conduct extends to both professional behavior and academic progress, like:
- Staying away from illegal drugs
- Treating patients, colleagues, and instructors with respect
- Refraining from harassing others or threatening them with imminent physical harm
- Maintaining satisfactory grades
- Upholding patient confidentiality
In addition to these standards, UNMC students must preserve academic integrity. This means no academic misconduct, including:
- Cheating: copying from another student's exam, paper, or assignment; using unauthorized materials during an exam or assignment.
- Working on an exam or assignment with someone else without the professor's permission.
- Plagiarism: using the work or ideas of another as if they were your own on an exam, paper, or other assignment.
- Making changes to a graded exam or assignment and pretending the changes were part of the original.
- Distributing an instructor's course materials without permission.
Students who are accused of violating the code of conduct can be subject to disciplinary action. An attorney-advisor will be able to help you navigate such a complex proceeding to ensure you are not subject to unnecessary or overly harsh punishments.
Remediation at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
At the end of every academic year, the Student Evaluation Committee (SEC) reviews each students' records to see how they are progressing in the program. If they discover a student is unable to keep up with the pace of the program or they have failed a course, exam, or clinical rotation, the SEC will refer them for a remediation plan.
Remediation plans are usually conducted through the summer between academic years. When a student successfully completes the plan, they will rejoin their cohort in the fall. The hope is that the extra review of the subject will give the student a greater understanding and prevent them from failing in the future.
Unfortunately, some students find that remediation is difficult. When they can't fulfill the requirements of the remediation plan, they could be referred for a dismissal hearing. Whether a student is dismissed will be contingent on several factors. But an attorney-advisor can ensure your due process rights are upheld, and your voice is heard.
Dismissal Proceedings at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry
As we mentioned above, dental students at UNMC College of Dentistry must meet several high expectations. When students are unable to meet these expectations, the school will refer them for dismissal. For instance, students can be dismissed for things like:
- Cheating or plagiarizing on an exam, paper, or assignment
- Committing a Title IX violation
- Violating patient confidentiality
- Treating a patient without proper supervision
- Disrupting classroom learning
- Failing more than one course in a semester
- Failing a remediation plan
Dismissal hearings grant the student an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses to better defend themselves. The SEC will overhear this proceeding, and once both sides are heard, they will review the information presented and determine whether or not the student should be dismissed.
Once the SEC makes its decision, it will notify the student. It is important to remember that even if the SEC decides you should be dismissed, you can appeal the decision. Generally, the instructions for the appeal will be attached to the SEC's decision letter. Appeals must be made within a short amount of time, usually less than ten days, and can only be made on certain grounds. These grounds tend to be if:
- There is new evidence available now that was not available before that would have affected the outcome if it had been available
- There is a clear bias from the SEC toward the student
- There is a procedural error that affected the outcome of the matter
The appeals decision-maker will review the appeal and determine whether or not the original decision should be upheld, stricken down, or amended in some way. Whatever their decision, it is usually final and can't be appealed further. If the idea of making your appeal feels overwhelming, an attorney-advisor can help shoulder that burden.
How a Skilled Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Dental students are focused on one thing – graduation. When something happens on your path from admission to walking across that stage with your diploma in hand, it can feel quite jarring. Who can you trust to help? Unfortunately, many students think they can defend themselves at these hearings. But dismissal, disciplinary, and remediation hearings are all extremely nuanced, and if students do not prepare sufficiently, it can mean the difference between full exoneration and suspension or expulsion from the program. And remember, students who are dismissed or suspended will have those punishments noted on their final transcript. If they try to apply to another school, they will have to explain the incident to the new school's admissions board.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm are experienced attorney-advisors who have helped hundreds of students across the country defend themselves from unnecessary punishments. They will work diligently to form a strategic defense, gathering evidence and presenting witnesses to advocate on your behalf. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
