At Western University College of Dental Medicine (WesternU), students are given the opportunity to practice dentistry in state-of-the-art facilities that are designed to help them develop innovative ideas so that they can treat their patients more effectively. Additionally, the university is committed to creating a unique campus culture that is focused on a seamless transition between classroom and practice. With so much competition for excellence, it is no wonder some students find it hard to keep up.
If you or someone you love has been referred for a remediation plan, notified of a disciplinary action, or is trying to prepare for a dismissal hearing, Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help.
Western University College of Dental Medicine Code of Conduct
Like most other schools in the United States, students are expected to abide by a code of conduct. But in dental school, this code of conduct extends beyond academic behavior to professional responsibility as well. At WesternU College of Dental Medicine, students must:
- Follow the dress code
- Maintain satisfactory grades
- Uphold patient confidentiality
- Respect their patients, patients' families, staff, instructors, and other students
- Pass all required national boards in a particular order
- Refrain from misusing the internet or social media sites
- Abstain from discrimination, harassment, and Title IX violations
Further, WesternU dental students must not commit academic misconduct. The definition of academic misconduct changes from school to school, but generally, it refers to any act that provides a student with an unauthorized advantage over the other students. At WesternU, academic misconduct includes such acts as:
- Plagiarism: submitting someone else's work or ideas as if they were your own; failing to cite sources properly on an exam or other assignment.
- Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized sources during an exam, assignment, or clinical; helping someone else do the same.
- Allowing another student to submit work you completed for their own credit.
- Falsifying clinical records or fabricating information being sent into the university.
Students who violate the code of conduct at WesternU will be called for disciplinary hearings to determine if a sanction or dismissal is necessary. Hiring an attorney-advisor for these proceedings is the best way to ensure your due process rights are upheld, and you do not suffer any unnecessary sanctions or delays to your graduation.
Remediation at the Western University College of Dental Medicine
At WesternU, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA, so at the end of each academic year, the College of Dental Medicine's Student Performance Committee (SPC) is charged with reviewing each student's record. If they find that a student is having a hard time maintaining that minimum GPA or has failed a course, exam, or other assignment, they will refer the student for a remediation plan. This remediation plan could include one or more of the following tasks:
- Taking a comprehensive exam
- Completing special projects or studies in deficient areas
- Repeating the course, system, or rotation
- Repeating the academic year
The hope is that the student will pass the class or become more knowledgeable in the material and rejoin their cohort. There are times, however, when students are unable to successfully remediate that summer. When this happens, the SPC may refer them for a dismissal hearing.
Dismissal Proceedings at Western University College of Dental Medicine
WesternU might dismiss a student any time they decide it is necessary to protect their standards of scholarship and conduct. Students can be dismissed for the following:
- Getting a cumulative GPA of 1.99 or lower at the end of the academic year
- Failing more than 25% of the total credit hours in an academic year
- Getting a final grade of less than 70% in a remediate course, system, or clinical course
The SPC will notify you of dismissal proceedings. You are expected to show up and explain your side of the story. It is important to create a strong defense, gathering evidence and witnesses to speak on your behalf. When the hearing is over, the SPC will meet and review what they heard. They will then notify you of their decision and send over the instructions to appeal that decision.
Generally, appeals must be made within a short period of time, usually about ten days from when you receive the SPC's decision. Once your appeal is made, the decision maker will review it and decide whether to uphold the SPC's decision, modify it, or have your case reviewed by another committee. Whatever their decision, you must remember that it is final and cannot be appealed further. Therefore, it is so important to make sure your appeal is done exactly how the instructions lay out. If the idea of filing an appeal is overwhelming, an attorney-advisor can help shoulder that burden.
Why an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm have spent years helping dental students facing dismissal or other disciplinary actions navigate their university proceedings with ease and grace. They understand how important a strong defense can be when your future career and lifestyle are on the line. Many students, unfortunately, go into these proceedings believing they can simply wing their defense only to find out that it was insufficient. Additionally, very few students realize the impact that a suspension or dismissal can have on future applications. For instance, if you decide to attend another dental school or a post-graduate fellowship, you will have to explain the incident that led to those punishments on every application and in every interview, which can make it harder to gain admission.
But it is important to remember, you do not have to face this kind of pressure alone. Lento Law Firm can help. Call our offices today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
