Chamberlain University, a for-profit school with a nationwide footprint, is focused on training students for careers in nursing. It houses two colleges: the College of Nursing, which offers a diverse array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in nursing, and the College of Health Professions, which offers master's degrees in public health, physician's assistant studies, and social work. The University boasts campuses in multiple states, making it the largest pre-license BSN program in the country. Chamberlain maintains two locations in California: one in Sacramento and one in Irwindale.
Although for-profit educational establishments are fully capable of delivering a high-quality education that leads to rewarding careers, some have been susceptible to questionable practices driven by profit-making goals. This can occasionally include bending the enforcement of student misconduct policies to their financial benefit--for example, expelling a student unfairly so that they forfeit their tuition without completing their education.
If you are a nursing student at a Chamberlain University campus in California and find yourself accused of misconduct, it is critical to seek counsel from an education law attorney. This will help ensure that the school remains true to its own policies and procedures while handling your case. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm understands how these disciplinary processes work (and should work), and we have nationwide experience helping students resolve disciplinary disputes with favorable outcomes. To discuss your case, reach out to Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or submit our online form.
How Does Chamberlain University Define Misconduct?
Both of Chamberlain University's California campuses (Sacramento and Irwindale) adhere to the university-wide student codes of conduct. The Student Handbook outlines an academic misconduct code, a student conduct code, and a Title IX policy that addresses sex discrimination and sexual harassment.
Academic Misconduct
The Student Handbook elaborates on various forms of academic misconduct that could lead to disciplinary proceedings, including:
- Copying Work: This involves obtaining information from another student by any means for personal gain or giving information to another student for their advantage.
- Plagiarism: This refers to the intentional or unintentional act of claiming someone else's work as your own.
- Collusion: This involves two or more students collaborating on any assignment without explicit approval from the instructor or any individual impersonating another student for purposes such as taking an examination, writing a paper or assignment, or fulfilling other student obligations.
- Record Tampering: Examples include forging signatures or altering the timing or content of any finalized examination or assignment while presenting it as the original.
- Unauthorized Use of Aids: This refers to the use of unauthorized resources for assignments or examinations.
- Unauthorized Use of School Proprietary Materials.
- Bribery: Offering bribes for undue academic advantage.
- Other Acts of Dishonesty: Examples include misrepresenting facts for academic advantage or providing false information related to assignments.
Professional Misconduct
Chamberlain University has a separate Professional Conduct Policy that outlines other prohibited student conduct, including:
- Disruption of teaching, research, administration, or other university activities;
- Non-compliance with instructions during an exam;
- Physical or verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation towards any university student, faculty, or staff member;
- Theft or damage to University property or property belonging to students, faculty, or staff.
- Bullying or cyberbullying: This refers to abusive behavior that intimidates others, causing distress to a reasonable person.
- Hazing: Creating situations that induce fear, distress, or discomfort related to bodily harm, typically as an initiation to group membership.
- Provocative or aggressive conduct: This includes making derogatory remarks about a group or race, inflammatory statements on personal, political, or religious views, or the use of obscene language.
- Gambling at university events or with university resources.
- Illegal drug possession, distribution, or sale.
- Alcohol possession, distribution, or sale, except as allowed by law and university policy.
Title IX Violations
All colleges or universities receiving federal funding (including Chamberlain University) must abide by federal Title IX regulations. The current federal guidelines encompass various forms of sexual misconduct, which are also prohibited under Chamberlain University's Title IX policy. These include:
- Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking;
- Quid-pro-quo harassment (i.e., offering favors in exchange for sex); or
- Unwelcome behavior that is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies equal access to education based on sex.
California Locations of Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University maintains two campus locations in California--one in northern California (Sacramento area) and one in southern California (east of Los Angeles). The Sacramento-area location is in the eastern suburb of Rancho Cordova, conveniently located off the El Dorado Fwy (U.S.-80). The southern California location is located in Irwindale, just off I-605 northeast of Los Angeles.
Both campuses offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, which can be completed in three years. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), this program allows students to start nursing classes without prerequisites. It offers flexibility with daytime and evening/weekend options and accepts transfer credits. Financial aid, including scholarships, grants, and loans, is available. Students also benefit from mentoring, hands-on clinical training, and extensive simulated experience at both campuses.
Process for Handling Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University has established certain set protocols for addressing allegations of student misconduct, whether it's academic misconduct, professional misconduct, or a Title IX violation. Let's review these processes below.
Academic Misconduct Procedures: According to Chamberlain University's policy, instructors can address student academic misconduct and impose penalties on students, up to and including course failure. Cases may be escalated to a Hearing Panel for review. The accused student can attend a meeting, present evidence with an attorney's support (although the attorney cannot represent them), and request an administrative review if found guilty.
Professional Misconduct Procedures: The Student Handbook calls for a conduct administrator to be assigned to handle complaints about student professional misconduct. If the complaint cannot be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties by the administrator, it is escalated to a Professional Review Committee. The committee follows similar procedures to those of Hearing Panels for academic misconduct, allowing the student to present evidence, question witnesses, and appeal an unfavorable decision.
Title IX Procedures: Upon receiving a Title IX sexual misconduct complaint, colleges and universities must follow current federal regulations to assess misconduct. Chamberlain University's Title IX policy aligns with federal rules, incorporating procedures similar to those for academic and professional misconduct. A three-member Decision-Maker panel, appointed by the Title IX coordinator, presides over the hearing. The accused student can have a lawyer present but must question witnesses independently. The panel applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard, and students can appeal against unfavorable decisions.
Penalties for Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University takes academic misconduct very seriously to maintain the integrity of its programs and degrees. The Student Handbook and Title IX policy of Chamberlain University delineate potential penalties for misconduct, which include:
- Denial of admission;
- Revocation of admission;
- Issuance of a warning;
- Placement on probation;
- Loss of privileges;
- Imposition of fines and requirement of restitution;
- Prescription of additional training;
- Imposition of contact restrictions;
- Suspension;
- Expulsion; and/or
- Revocation of degree.
How the Lento Law Firm Team Can Help
The experience of confronting misconduct allegations can be overwhelming for any student, often inciting anxiety and diverting focus. If you are a student at Chamberlain University in California who is entangled in such accusations, you may feel very much at a disadvantage, lacking the time, knowledge, or resources even to mount a defense. Without appropriate legal advice, you may be oblivious to any infringements on your rights by the school. It is not unusual for profit-centered institutions to devise alternative strategies to circumvent their own procedures, targeting your suspension or expulsion while retaining your tuition and loan funds.
With a wealth of nationwide experience in managing student defense cases, the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm is well-equipped to help you through this crisis. We have the necessary experience and understanding of the law to support you in defending against any academic, professional, or Title IX misconduct charges. We can assist and advise you in assessing allegations, gathering relevant evidence, challenging the complainant's evidence, preparing your defense, and negotiating for a fair outcome.
Never underestimate the potential of misconduct allegations to disrupt your career, regardless of how implausible they might appear. Similarly, do not rule out the possibility that your school could enforce unjust disciplinary actions against you to boost profits. Allegations of student misconduct can tarnish your reputation, hinder your education, and jeopardize your future career prospects, sometimes even before you are aware of any violation of your rights. The Lento Law Firm Team is here to protect your rights and help you resolve academic misconduct allegations in your favor. Take action now to protect your future. Reach out to us at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or complete our online form.
