The University of Washington School of Dentistry (UW) is committed to educating a diverse student body in progressive oral health and community development. Their hope is that their students will give back to their local communities upon graduation and that they will have instilled in them goals to contribute to the understanding of all aspects of dental and orofacial health. As such, they expect their students to excel not only academically but professionally as well. With so much pressure on the students, it's no wonder some of them begin acting in ways they normally wouldn't. Pressure and overwhelm have been known to turn students against themselves.
If you have been accused of disciplinary action, notified of a dismissal hearing, or are wondering how to go about passing a remediation plan, Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help. Call our offices today.
University of Washington School of Dentistry Code of Conduct
At the University of Washington School of Dentistry, students must follow a particular code of conduct. This code extends to both academic and professional behavior, including such things as:
- Maintaining satisfactory grades
- Passing all required national boards in a specific order before certain academic years begin
- Paying attention, and giving respect to, patients and their families
- Not working on patients without appropriate supervision
- Refraining from using the internet or social media sites for inappropriate activities
- Not committing discrimination or harassment, including Title IX violations and sexual misconduct
In addition, students must maintain academic integrity. That is, they must commit the following acts of academic misconduct:
- Plagiarism: turning in all, or portions, of someone else's work or ideas as if they were your own; failing to properly cite sources
- Cheating: attempting to use or using materials during an exam, assignment, or clinical without permission; helping someone else do so
- Letting another student copy your work and turn it in as their own
- Fabricating patient files
- Falsifying information to the university or a patient
If a student violates the school's code of conduct, they will be brought up for a disciplinary hearing. Working with an attorney will ensure that you are not punished harshly or without true cause.
Remediation at the University of Washington School of Dentistry
At UW, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0. If their GPA falls below this point, they are unable to pass the program in a timely manner, or the Graduate Program Director determines that their academic efforts are unsatisfactory, they will be sent a warning and referred for a remediation plan. Remediation plans are also offered if the student is moved from a “warning” to “probation.” But if they are moved to a “final probation,” they will be referred for a dismissal hearing.
Generally, remediation is done the next time the course is offered or in the summer between academic years. The student is asked to meet certain milestones by a particular date. These milestones could include retaking an exam, retaking a course, extra coursework, or more direction in a specific subject area. By providing students with an opportunity to review the material again, the hope is that they will pass the second time and be able to rejoin their class to graduate on time. Unfortunately, some students are unable to remediate successfully. When this happens, they will be referred for a dismissal hearing.
Dismissal Proceedings at Western University College of Dental Medicine
UW School of Dentistry employs a Student Academic Grievance Committee (SAGC) to determine if a student should be dismissed from the program or not. The SAGC will review the issue, whether it is a code of conduct violation or a failed remediation plan and ask you to present your side of the story. This hearing is an opportunity for you to defend yourself and your place in the UW School of Dentistry. If you are unsuccessful at this meeting, you could be dismissed from the program.
Once the SAGC has heard your defense, they will make their decision and notify you. This notification will also carry instructions for an appeal of their decision. Usually, appeals must be made very quickly; almost all schools request it to be made within ten days of being notified of the original decision. Appeals must be made to the Department Chair, who will review them and determine whether the original decision should be upheld, dismissed, or amended in some way. Further appeals can be made to the Dean and Provost if necessary.
Now, if the idea of filing an appeal feels overwhelming, an attorney-advisor can help. They will sit down with you and go through the entire dismissal proceeding, dissecting where you could have beefed up your defense and look for grounds for an appeal. It is very important to use your appeals opportunity, especially if you still want to become a dentist. Appeals are your last chance to preserve that dream.
Why an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
It is important to remember that when you are asked to attend a dismissal hearing or accused of misconduct, you must present a strong defense to the administration. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping dental students navigate these proceedings without feeling overwhelmed. They understand how important the outcome of these proceedings can be and work tirelessly to guarantee you the best possible outcome.
Unfortunately, many students decide to try and defend themselves and find that they are very much in over their heads. This kind of insufficient preparation can lead to your suffering unnecessarily. For instance, you may be suspended or dismissed for things that could have been worked out with a proper defense. Suspensions and dismissals are particularly problematic punishments, as they are noted on your final transcript. This means any time you apply for a post-graduate fellowship or to another dental school altogether, you will have to explain the incident over and over, making it harder to gain admission. Attorney Jospeh D. Lento and Lento Law Firm can help. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
