As a for-profit academic institution focused on preparing students for successful careers in nursing, Chamberlain University maintains campuses across the country. The University contains two separate colleges: the College of Nursing, which provides 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. Chamberlain University's Indiana Campus is located just off the north side of the I-465 beltway in Indianapolis.
While for-profit schools can certainly provide an excellent education that paves the way to rewarding careers, that doesn't mean they always do right by their students. Some have even stooped to less-than-honest dealings in their disciplinary processes, possibly leading to unjust suspensions or dismissals that are financially motivated. If you are a nursing student at Chamberlain University in Indianapolis, Indiana, faced with misconduct allegations, the best way to protect your interests is with the advice of an experienced education law attorney to ensure the institution adheres to its own policies and procedures while dealing with your situation. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has nationwide experience with student disciplinary issues like these. We will work to protect your rights and help you achieve the most favorable outcome possible. To schedule a consultation, contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or fill out our online form.
Types of Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University's Indianapolis location adheres to the same policies as prescribed for all of Chamberlain's campuses. The student Code of Conduct is detailed in the school's Student Handbook. These codes fall into three distinct categories.
Academic Misconduct
The Student Handbook discusses several forms of academic misconduct that may invite disciplinary actions, including:
- Plagiarism: The deliberate or accidental act of claiming someone else's work as one's own.
- Copying: Acquiring information from another student unfairly, or allowing another student to copy your work.
- Collusion: Unauthorized collaboration between students on assignments, including impersonating another student in exams, papers, or other student tasks.
- The use of unauthorized aids for assignments or examinations.
- Record Alteration: This involves forging signatures or changing completed exams/assignments to misrepresent the original.
- Unauthorized Use of Proprietary Materials.
- Bribery: This involves offering bribes to gain undue academic advantage.
- Acts of Dishonesty: This includes fabricating facts for academic advantage or providing incorrect information related to assignments.
Professional Misconduct
Chamberlain University's Student Handbook also sets out a Professional Conduct Policy, which specifies further forms of misconduct that could result in disciplinary action. These include:
- Interference with university operations: E.g., disruptions to teaching, research, administrative tasks, or any other university activities.
- Non-compliance with instructions during examinations.
- Aggressive behavior: For example, physical or verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation towards any university student, faculty, or staff member.
- Theft or damage to university property or the belongings of university students, faculty, or staff.
- Bullying and cyberbullying.
- Hazing.
- Gambling at university events or using university resources.
- Drug and alcohol violations: This includes unlawful possession, distribution, or sale of drugs, or selling/distributing alcohol in violation of school regulations.
- Inflammatory conduct: Examples include making derogatory comments about a group or race, making inflammatory statements about personal, political, or religious beliefs, or using offensive language.
Title IX Violations
As with other schools that receive federal funding, Chamberlain University is required to conform to current Title IX federal regulations. These rules cover various forms of sexual misconduct, all of which are forbidden by Chamberlain University's Title IX policy. The prohibited behavior includes:
- Sexual misconduct: This involves sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
- Quid-pro-quo harassment: This refers to offering favors in exchange for sexual acts.
- Creating a hostile environment: This involves engaging in unwelcome behavior that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive enough to obstruct equal access to education based on sex.
Chamberlain University's Disciplinary Protocols
To maintain student rights and ensure a fair educational environment, it is essential that institutions provide clear definitions of student misconduct and have appropriate procedures to address such issues. Here's a brief look at how Chamberlain University addresses academic and professional misconduct, as well as Title IX violations.
- Dealing with Academic Misconduct: At Chamberlain University, the policy allows instructors to handle instances of academic misconduct by levying penalties, which can include failing the course. In more severe cases, the matter may be escalated to a Hearing Panel for evaluation. Students accused of misconduct have the right to attend a hearing, present their evidence, and, if found guilty, request an administrative review.
- Addressing Professional Misconduct: For complaints related to professional misconduct, a conduct administrator is appointed to investigate the allegation and settle the matter. If the issue is not resolved, it is escalated to a Professional Review Committee, which functions similarly to the Hearing Panels in cases of academic misconduct. The accused student has the right to cross-examine witnesses and appeal against any decision they find unfavorable.
- Title IX Violations Procedure: On receiving a Title IX sexual misconduct complaint, the school is obligated to comply with current federal rules to evaluate and discipline the alleged misconduct. A three-member Decision-Maker panel, chosen by the Title IX coordinator, oversees the hearing. This panel uses a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard for their judgment, and students hold the right to appeal against any adverse decisions.
Penalties for Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University adopts a firm stance against all forms of misconduct. If you are found in violation of their policies, the school may impose one or more of the following penalties as deemed appropriate:
- Refusal or rescinding of admission to the school;
- Issuance of a warning/reprimand;
- Probation;
- Loss of privileges;
- Levying of fines and requirement of restitution;
- Mandating additional training;
- Restricting contact with any alleged victims;
- Suspension;
- Expulsion; and/or
- Revocation of degree.
Our Commitment to Help You
If you are a student at Chamberlain University in Indianapolis, Indiana, facing misconduct allegations, not only can this be a huge source of stress, but you're likely at a disadvantage due to constraints of time, lack of understanding, or having insufficient resources to defend yourself. Without proper advice from an education attorney, your rights could be violated without your knowing, and the disciplinary actions taken against you could have lasting negative impacts on your academic journey and future nursing career.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team brings extensive nationwide experience in handling student defense cases similar to yours. We will examine the allegations against you, collect relevant evidence, help you prepare a defense strategy, assist with skilled negotiations, and, if necessary, help you file an appeal--all while protecting your rights as a student and acting as a presence to ensure the school abides by its own due process principles.
Don't take unnecessary risks with your academic progress and future career by going it alone against misconduct allegations. The Lento Law Firm Team is here to help. Contact us at 888-535-3686 to arrange a consultation or complete our online form.
