You might be surprised to learn that your conduct at the Augusta Medical College of Georgia is, in some ways, more important than your academic performance. Oh, your grades certainly matter. Fail a test—or an entire class—and you'll most likely be assigned some type of remediation program. You could be held back a year, and in extreme cases, you could be dismissed entirely. A single instance of academic misconduct, though, could be enough to get you dismissed. First offense.
Medical schools take integrity extremely seriously. MCG doesn't want to graduate any student who might have an issue with their ethical or moral values.
Here's the thing, though: plenty of innocent students wind up accused of cheating and plagiarism. And even if you did make a mistake, a serious sanction like suspension or dismissal may not be appropriate.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team wants to make sure you have every opportunity to complete your degree and go on to a successful career. We're on your side no matter what the circumstances, and we'll fight hard to protect you and to get you a fair resolution. We know MCG's policies, and we know how the College's judicial processes and procedures operate. We can help you navigate the system and even show you how to use it to your best advantage.
We've helped hundreds of students fight charges their schools have leveled against them. We can help you to do the same. Call 888-535-3686 to find what we can do, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Academic Misconduct
The Medical College of Georgia doesn't actually define academic misconduct anywhere in the Redbook or its other student materials. The reason is simple: by this point, the MCG expects you to have mastered the basic rules of integrity. You've earned an undergraduate degree, but you probably learned about the most common offenses back in high school, if not earlier.
- Cheating: The unauthorized use of any source, from a disallowed textbook to a classmate.
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person's work off as your own, including AI assistance.
- Fabrication: The invention of data or information in order to complete some type of coursework.
- Collusion: The attempt to help another person commit academic misconduct.
Of course, more broadly speaking, academic misconduct includes any action that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in completing your degree.
While the offenses are the same, there's an important difference between how your undergraduate institution and the MCG treat offenses. As an undergraduate, you might manage to get away with an offense. Most schools assign in-class penalties for first offenses—like a lowered grade on the assignment or a lowered grade in the class. MCG takes a no-tolerance approach to violations. Even a first offense can result in suspension or dismissal.
That's one reason why it's so important you have a Lento Law Firm attorney on your side if you find yourself accused. You could be facing the end of your career in health care. With so much at risk, you cannot afford to handle the case on your own or hire a local attorney. You need someone with a background and experience in student misconduct. Only someone from the Lento Law Firm will do.
Defending Yourself From an Academic Misconduct Accusation
Of course, with so much at stake, MCG cannot simply charge you and dismiss you. You are entitled to some form of due process to ensure that justice is done.
Here's what you can expect from that process.
- If you're caught committing some form of academic misconduct, you may face an in-class sanction from an instructor. The larger concern, though, has to do with “professionalism.” Issues with integrity, including academic integrity, suggest a serious lapse in professional and ethical judgment. As a result, allegations are ultimately handled by the Student Promotions Committee (SPC).
- When the SPC receives a complaint about academic misconduct, it will generally render an initial decision on that complaint, though it may undertake some type of investigation as part of the process (See the Redbook for more information).
- Once the SPC has made its decision as to possible sanctions, you'll be provided with official notice of this decision. At this point, you have the option to request a full hearing on the matter.
- As part of this hearing, you are entitled to present evidence, including witness testimony. Further, you should have the chance to challenge any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- SPC decisions in professionalism cases are based on the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence.” In simple terms, you are responsible (guilty) if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Should the SPC decide to impose a sanction, you have one additional right—the right to appeal. Appeals are not for the purpose of rearguing the case, however. Instead, you must be able to show you were denied a fair opportunity to defend yourself. This usually means a procedural error, the discovery of new evidence, a finding not supported by evidence, or a disproportionate sanction.
Unfortunately, MCG does not allow you to bring an attorney with you to official proceedings like investigative meetings and hearings. Do not let this dissuade you from retaining a Lento Law Firm attorney. Our job extends well beyond the support we might give you at a hearing. You can count on us, for instance, to help you gather evidence and identify your strongest arguments. We'll coach you in talking to the SPC. We'll outline your hearing presentation and suggest questions for witnesses. We can even give you practice in making your arguments. Most importantly, we'll monitor every aspect of the case and make sure MCG affords you every right to which you are entitled.
The Lento Law Firm is on Your Side
The Lento Law Firm knows what's at stake in a way other firms just don't. The attorneys who make up our Student Defense Team have dedicated their lives to ensuring schools treat students fairly and that they care about your future. No one else has the knowledge of campus justice they do. No one else can show you how to use the system to your advantage.
If you're being forced to fight for your educational future, don't try to handle the situation yourself, and don't trust your case to a local attorney. Find out more about what the Lento Law Firm can do by calling 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.
