Making it into The Ohio State University College of Medicine (OSUCOM) is unquestionably an impressive feat. As you've probably already realized, though, you have a long way to go before you're a doctor. Medical school tests your intelligence, your problem-solving ability, your self-discipline, and your fortitude.
It also tests your moral fiber and your ethical values. Physicians are held to the very highest standards of professionalism and honesty, and those expectations start in medical school. Even the hint of impropriety can put an end to your career in medicine before it gets started.
That's why the moment you're charged with academic misconduct, you need to call the Lento Law Firm. You've come too far to risk your future, and only the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has the background and experience to protect your rights and look out for your interests. We know how medical school processes and procedures work because we've helped hundreds of students defend themselves.
You cannot wait to contact us, though. Medical school disciplinary processes move quickly, and you can find yourself suspended or dismissed in a matter of days. To find out how we can help with your case, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Academic Misconduct
You've been a student long enough at this point to know exactly what schools expect when it comes to academic integrity. In general, it's your responsibility to avoid any action that could potentially provide you with an unfair advantage in completing your coursework. Beyond this broad principle, OSUCOM outlaws four specific behaviors.
- Cheating: The use of an unauthorized resource to complete your work. This can include anything from looking at another student's work during an exam to asking another student to take an exam for you.
- Plagiarism: The representation of another person's work as your own without giving them due credit.
- Fabrication: The invention of material sources, lab results, and experimental results, as part of the completion of an academic assignment.
- Aiding Others in Academic Misconduct: Helping another person to commit some form of academic misconduct is just as serious an offense as committing academic misconduct yourself.
Again, you're probably pretty familiar with these prohibitions. It's important you recognize, though, that while these are the same rules you had as an undergraduate, the results for violating these rules are considerably different. Most colleges and universities punish first offenses with in-class sanctions. Those can include warnings, lower grades on assignments, or lower course grades. Suspension and dismissal are reserved for serious and repeat offenses. At the USOCOM, a single violation is enough to get you expelled.
The stakes at this point are incredibly high. Lose your spot at USOCOM, and you lose all the work you've put in up to this point and all the opportunities yet to come in your career. With that much on the line, you cannot afford to try to defend yourself. You need a Lento Law Firm attorney in your corner to make sure you get the best possible resolution to your case.
Justice at OSUCOM
As strict as OSUCOM's Honor Code is, and as serious as sanctions can be, the College of Medicine can't simply accuse you of misconduct and dismiss you. You are entitled to fair and just treatment, including important due process protections. For example, just as in the criminal justice system, you have the right to a presumption of innocence (“not responsible”).
Here's what you can expect if you've been accused.
- Allegations of academic misconduct are subject to review by the College of Medicine's Honor and Professionalism Council. Anyone may lodge a complaint against you with this body.
- You should be provided with some notice of the charges against you. As part of this notice, someone should explain the specifics of the allegations and outline your due process rights.
- While the College of Medicine doesn't specifically mention an investigation, the Honor and Professionalism Council must assemble some evidence, even if that is as simple as collecting examples of your work. As part of the process, you should be allowed to give your side of the story.
- Following the investigation, the Council forms a Formal Hearing Committee made up of six voting students and three non-voting faculty. Both sides then have the opportunity to present evidence, including witness testimony, and to raise questions about any contrary evidence.
- The Committee then employs a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to determine your level of “responsibility” in the case. According to this standard, you are responsible if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- You have the right to appeal for a responsible outcome. Generally, appeals must be based on arguments related to the fairness of the process. For example, a procedural error might be grounds for a new hearing.
You also have the right to an advisor, someone to help you prepare and present your case. Make sure you choose the right person. A Lento Law Firm attorney can help you with all aspects of your case, from how to answer investigative questions to what issues to raise during the hearing. You can also count on them to monitor the entire process and ensure you're treated fairly.
The Lento Law Firm is Always 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 they care about your future. No one else has the knowledge of campus justice that 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.
