The University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Medicine (DSD) is committed to providing its students with a world-class education so that they might then provide affordable patient care for the members of their community. Their goal is to create a model of education that promotes respect for and the dignity of patients and their families. They hope to keep humanism at the center of all their efforts. As such, they expect their students to maintain a high level of ethical, professional, and academic standards.
With expectations this high, it's no wonder some students feel overwhelmed and begin acting in ways outside their normal. If you have been accused of violating the code of conduct, failing a remediation plan, or are being referred for dismissal, an attorney-advisor can help. Call Lento Law Firm today.
University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
At DSD, all students are expected to uphold a particular code of conduct, which includes both academic and professional behavioral expectations, including:
- Refraining from intentionally or recklessly destroying University property
- Refraining from engaging in sexual or discriminator behavior
- Maintaining patient confidentiality
- Using the computers and internet appropriately
- Upholding a specific dress code
- Abstaining from using illicit chemical substances
- Getting help from a supervisor when their level of experience is insufficient to handle a particular situation
Students are also expected to maintain academic honesty. That is, they must not commit academic misconduct, including:
- Cheating: attempting to use, or successfully using, unsanctioned materials on an exam, paper, or other assignment
- Plagiarizing: using someone else's words or ideas as their own on an exam, paper, or other assignment; failing to cite the words or ideas properly
- Forging or altering a university document or record
- Collaborating on an assignment, exam, or paper without express permission
If a student is found violating any of these requirements, they could be referred for disciplinary action or, if the severity of the incident warrants it, a dismissal hearing. Attorney Lento can help you prepare for either such proceeding by helping you gather evidence and witnesses to testify on your behalf.
Remediation at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Most dental schools across the country provide students with an opportunity to remediate a course, exam, or clinical rotation when they notice the student has begun to struggle. At the end of each year, a committee is appointed to review the student's academic and professional progress. If the committee notices room for improvement, they may refer the student for a remediation plan.
The remediation plan is generally instituted in the summer between academic years with the hope that the extra revision will allow the student to rejoin their class in the fall and progress through the program successfully. Unfortunately, some students are unable to pass the remediation plan and may find that they have to completely retake the course or clinical the next time it is offered, which could push their graduation date off.
Dismissal Proceedings at University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry
Sometimes, no matter how hard you work in the program, you are referred for a dismissal hearing to determine if you should be allowed to continue on with your classmates. When this happens, a committee will meet to review your case and ask you to present a defense. It is incredibly important that you present the best defense you can create. Meaning it is not enough to simply improvise and tell your side of the story. You need to work hard to be prepared for any questions they may ask you and present witnesses and evidence to prove your side of the story.
Without a strong defense, you will have a harder time proving that you deserve to stay in the program. After you've made your defense, the committee will meet separately to determine if you should be dismissed from the program. You will receive this decision in a letter, along with instructions for how to appeal it.
Generally, appeals must be made within a short period of time (typically within ten days) and on particular grounds. These grounds might include:
- A procedural issue that affected the outcome of the issue
- A bias on behalf of the committee reviewing the dismissal hearing
- New evidence that is available now that wasn't reasonably available during the original hearing
A new committee will review the appeal and decide if the original decision should be amended, upheld, or revoked outright. And remember, this decision is usually final and cannot be reviewed further. As such, it is really important to make sure you put your best foot forward in this appeal, as it is your last chance to protect your dream of becoming a dental professional at DSD. An attorney-advisor can help shoulder some of this stress and overwhelm, allowing you to submit a well-thought-out appeal.
How an Experienced Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Going to dental school is an incredible achievement in and of itself. You have worked so hard to get where you are in your education, which is why it can be so heartbreaking to learn that your dreams might be cut short. How can you overcome this hurdle? Who can you turn to for help?
Students who are accused of violating the code of conduct, failing a remediation plan, or who are referred for dismissal for some other reason can reach out to an attorney-advisor for help. Unfortunately, many students choose to attend these hearings alone and end up facing harsher sanctions than necessary, which can have long-term consequences you may not have considered. For instance, if a student is found responsible for committing a code of conduct violation and sanctioned with suspension or dismissal, those punishments will be noted on their transcripts. When they decide to pursue their education elsewhere, they will have to explain these punishments on their applications, making admission just a little more difficult.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping dental students in similar situations to ensure they receive the best possible outcome for their case. They appreciate how complex and important these proceedings are and will work tirelessly to help protect your future. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
