You can probably survive a failed course at UT's McGovern Medical School. You might even survive two, though you'll likely have to go through remediation, and you may even be held back a year. You probably cannot survive a finding of academic misconduct. It's not just that you need to know everything the School has to teach you about medicine, though that's certainly true. Physicians are held to the highest ethical and moral standards. An academic misconduct allegation suggests you can't be trusted with the public good.
Every situation is different, though. You may very well be entirely innocent of the charges against you. Or, there may be some reasonable explanation for your behavior. The Lento Law Firm believes in your future. We're on your side and ready to do everything in our power to protect your rights.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has been at this for a number of years. We know what you're up against, and we know the stakes. More importantly, we know how the UTMMS judicial process works. We can make sure you're fully prepared for everything you have to face, and we'll even show you some ways you can use the system to your benefit.
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.
Academic Misconduct Defined
Let's start by talking about academic misconduct in literal terms. Just what is it that UTMMS prohibits? Under its Unacceptable Student Conduct, the university lists four separate “academic dishonesty” violations.
- Cheating: The use of any unauthorized materials in completing your coursework or the falsification of any materials used to complete your coursework.
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass off another person's words or ideas as your own.
- Collusion: Helping someone else to cheat or commit plagiarism.
- Misrepresentation: The attempt to falsify any information for academic advantage.
Beyond these specific offenses, you can be charged for any action that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework or that puts the integrity of UTMMS education in jeopardy.
Rules like these are in place at every educational institution. They're designed to ensure that you earn your education fairly and are qualified in your chosen field.
Physicians, though, face even higher expectations. The UTMMS Student Handbook talks about integrity and professionalism. In this context, an academic misconduct violation is more significant than just an attempt to gain some advantage. It's an ethical failing, a sign that you may not belong in the medical profession. Thus, when you stand accused of such an offense, you may face action from a Conduct Officer. If you're found guilty, though, you'll also face action from the Medical School's Student Evaluation and Promotion Committee (SEPC). The minimum sanction in such cases is usually suspension. The more likely outcome is dismissal.
Defending Yourself From an Academic Misconduct Accusation
While academic misconduct is a serious offense at UTMMS, and sanctions can be severe, you are entitled to due process protections. That is, the School can't simply accuse you and dismiss you. You are innocent until proven guilty (“not responsible until proven responsible”), and you always have the right to a full investigation and a formal hearing.
- The Dean of the Medical School is responsible for coordinating the judicial process at UTMMS. Any time you stand accused of academic misconduct, the Dean undertakes an investigation.
- You are entitled to know you are under investigation. You should receive official notice of any charges against you. This notice must explain the charges and describe all of your due process rights.
- As part of the investigation, you have the right to give your side of events. In addition, you can offer evidence and you can suggest witnesses for the Dean to interview.
- Once the Dean has completed their investigation, they'll determine whether or not they believe you are responsible for (guilty of) the offense and suggest a resolution. In doing so, they should employ the legal standard “preponderance of the evidence.” While not as strict as “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard does require them to believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- Should you dispute the facts in the case, you are then entitled to a hearing before a trained, unbiased Conduct Officer. As part of the hearing, you may introduce physical evidence and call witnesses to testify. Further, you may raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Again, the Conduct Officer decides the case using the “preponderance of the evidence” standard and assigns a sanction as necessary.
- Finally, you have the right to file an appeal. However, an appeal is not just about contesting the outcome. It requires a claim that you were treated unfairly in some way by the process itself. Grounds for appeal usually include the discovery of new evidence, an allegation of procedural error, or a complaint about the severity of the sanction.
UTMMS affords you the right to an advisor during the process, and this advisor may be an attorney. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can attend all meetings and hearings, and you may consult with them throughout the proceedings.
In addition, you can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to prepare you for every aspect of your case. They'll work with you to identify evidence and coach you on how to talk with investigators. They'll outline your defense presentation, suggest questions for witnesses, and give you practice in making your arguments.
Their most important job though, is to make sure you're treated fairly. It's their job to protect your rights and see that you get a just resolution to your case.
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.
