The Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) maintains high expectations of all its students. That includes holding you to a strict academic integrity policy. Of course, you want that in a medical college. A degree from a school with a reputation for cheating just isn't worth much. And anyway, it's not like there are subjects you don't need to know at this point.
Here's the thing, though: we all make mistakes, even medical students. And you don't have to have made a mistake to wind up accused of academic misconduct. When schools hold students to high standards, they sometimes overreach, jumping at shadows.
Whatever your particular situation, if you've been accused of cheating or plagiarism, the LLF Law Firm can help you defend yourself. Our Student Defense Team is well-versed in DUCOM policies. We know the rules and regulations. We also know how the judicial process works. You can count on us to use every resource at our disposal to protect your rights and get you the best possible outcome.
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.
The Rules of Academic Misconduct at DUCOM
In most ways, DUCOM's academic integrity policy isn't all that different from the policies you were under as an undergraduate. Most schools outline a few specific classroom offenses, like
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Misrepresentation
- Multiple Submissions
- Unauthorized Use of AI Technology
- Bribery
Whatever specific items a policy contains, there is always a general expectation that you avoid any activity that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in completing your degree.
To this list of offenses, medical schools often add prohibitions on research misconduct. In addition to conducting honest research, you're expected to behave ethically, particularly when human subjects are involved.
The real difference between undergraduate academic misconduct and medical school academic misconduct, though, has to do with how such misconduct is treated. Undergraduate institutions take cheating seriously, but they also recognize that students are still learning. As a result, a first academic misconduct violation usually means a classroom sanction, like a lowered grade on the assignments. Medical schools have far less tolerance for these infractions. In addition, ethics is an important component of a medical student's education. As a result, even a first offense can be punished with suspension or dismissal.
With so much at stake, you cannot afford to take an academic misconduct allegation lightly. You need to be ready to defend yourself, and you need to have a LLF Law Firm attorney in your corner.
Academic Misconduct Defense
The Drexel University College of Medicine doesn't publish its judicial procedures online. However, you can be sure that, like virtually every other institution of higher education, DUCOM affords every student the right to due process. As a starting point, you are considered innocent (“not responsible”) until proven guilty (“responsible”). The College needs a preponderance of evidence to substantiate any charges, and you must be allowed the opportunity to challenge any evidence the school uncovers.
- You'll know you're under investigation when you receive official notice of the charges. DUCOM must provide you with such notice, and it must explain to you all your due process rights under school policy.
- DUCOM must conduct some type of investigation, even if it is as simple as collecting relevant examples of your work. The school cannot proceed against you if it does not have evidence.
- You should be allowed to give your side of the story as part of the process. In addition, you can provide evidence and suggest witnesses for investigators to interview.
- You are entitled to review any and all evidence in the case prior to any hearings.
- DUCOM must conduct some type of hearing. Sometimes, these take place in front of a single administrator, but more often, you'll face an entire panel or board. After all, your academic and professional futures could very well be at stake.
- At the hearing, you may offer any reasonable argument in support of your innocence or to explain your actions. In addition, you may introduce evidence to help prove your case, including witness testimony. Finally, you are also entitled to raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- The standard of responsibility (guilt) in these cases is “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this legal standard, you are responsible if it seems “more likely than not” that you violated policy.
- Should you be found responsible for a violation, you still have the right to appeal. However, appeals are based on issues of fairness, not whether or not you agree with decision-makers' findings. Grounds for appeal are limited to the discovery of new evidence, an allegation of procedural error, or an argument about the severity of the sanction.
Your LLF Law Firm attorney may or may not be allowed to accompany you to meetings and other proceedings. In either case, they can play a crucial role in helping to construct your defense. It's their job, for example, to identify your strongest arguments. They'll draft your hearing presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and coach you on how to deliver your arguments. More important than anything else, it's your attorney's job to monitor what happens to you, to make sure you're treated fairly and get the justice you deserve.
The LLF Law Firm is on Your Side
The LLF 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 LLF Law Firm can do by calling 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.
