Making it into UTMB Galveston is a serious achievement, one you should be proud of. You've worked hard to get here, and you have a bright future in front of you. Keep in mind, though, that making it in isn't the same as earning your MD. The hard part is just beginning.
There's good news. The medical school wants you to succeed, and they know just how tough standards and expectations can be. You can count on faculty and administrators to do everything in their power to help you get through. Even if you should fail a class—or two—the school will usually work with you to implement a remediation plan and help you make it through.
On the other hand, if you should violate conduct standards, you could very well face immediate dismissal, even for a first offense. That's particularly true when it comes to academic misconduct. UTMB Galveston wants to make absolutely sure that when you graduate, you know everything you need to know about medicine. Just as importantly, the school wants to ensure its graduates are grounded in ethics and moral values, including honesty. Academic misconduct demonstrates that you can't be trusted to safeguard your patients' welfare.
Any time you're charged with an offense, you must take it seriously. Part of taking it seriously is contacting the Lento Law Firm. Our Student Defense Team has represented hundreds of students from all types of misconduct allegations, including allegations of academic misconduct. We know what you're up against, and we know the stakes. More importantly, we know how UTMB Galveston's processes and procedures work, and we can help you use them to your benefit.
We're always on your side and ready to fight for your rights. Call 888-535-3686 to find out what we can do for you, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Academic Misconduct
You should be an expert in academic misconduct at this point, maybe even teach a class on it. Your undergraduate institution had a policy. Your high school had a policy. Your elementary school probably had a policy.
Here's what the UTMB Galveston policy prohibits:
- Cheating: Any unauthorized use of a source to complete your coursework. This could include anything from sneaking a crib sheet into an exam to asking another student to take an exam for you.
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person's words or ideas off as your own without giving them credit.
- Collusion: Helping another person to commit academic misconduct.
- Altering Official Documents: Attempting to falsify official UTMB Galveston documents, including admission materials, in any way.
Beyond these specific rules, though, you're expected to avoid any act "designed to have [...] the effect of interfering with the academic process."
While the rules remain the same, the situation has changed significantly since you were an undergraduate. Most colleges and universities impose in-class penalties for academic misconduct, at least for first offenses. That usually means a lower grade on the assignment or, at worst, a lower grade in the course. UTMB Galveston won't bother giving you a warning. The minimum penalty in academic misconduct cases is almost always suspension, and dismissal is a very real possibility.
If you should find yourself dismissed, you can't simply transfer to another program. In all likelihood, you'll be looking for a new career path. Don't risk it. Whether you're entirely innocent or you did make some sort of mistake, the attorneys at the Lento Law Firm will do everything in their power to safeguard your future.
Defending Yourself From an Academic Misconduct Accusation
An allegation is just that: an allegation. It doesn't necessarily mean you'll be found responsible for an offense. In fact, you're entitled to due process—the presumption of innocence, a thorough investigation, and a chance to defend yourself at a hearing.
- Academic misconduct accusations are under the jurisdiction of the Student Affairs Officer. If you've been officially charged, this Officer will issue you a notice of the charges. This notice should include an explanation of the allegations and a complete list of your due process rights.
- Among your rights, you are entitled to an advisor, who may be an attorney. This means that, in addition to consulting on the case, your Lento Law Firm attorney can accompany you to investigative meetings and, later, to the hearing.
- The Student Affairs Officer then conducts an investigation into the matter. In most cases, they'll begin by talking with you, getting your side of the story. In addition, they'll speak with the complainant (your accuser) and any relevant witnesses. Finally, they'll collect any physical evidence, such as examples of your academic work.
- When the Student Affairs Officer has completed their work, they'll issue a summary judgment, basing their decision on the “preponderance of the evidence” legal standard. You are guilty if it seems “more likely than not” that you committed the offense.
- If the Student Affairs Officer finds you "not responsible" (innocent), they will dismiss the case. If they find you "responsible," you can accept this outcome and the recommended sanction, appeal the sanction, or ask for a full hearing.
- If the case moves to a hearing, you'll have a chance to present evidence and call witnesses. In addition, you're entitled to challenge any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Once the hearing is complete, the Hearing Panel decides whether or not you are responsible for the offense, once again using the "preponderance of the evidence" standard.
- Finally, you also have the right to appeal the hearing outcome if you believe you were denied a fair right to present your case.
As this brief outline suggests, while you do have rights and a real opportunity to defend yourself, processes and procedures can be complex and difficult to navigate. You never want to try to take on your medical school alone.
Beyond sitting beside you during meetings and hearings, a Lento Law Firm attorney can take care of all the preparatory work for your case. They'll conduct their own investigation, for instance, and identify your strongest defense arguments. They'll draft a hearing presentation for you and give you practice in making your arguments. They'll file any appeal paperwork if that's necessary. Through it all, you can count on them to hold UTMB Galveston accountable for affording you all your rights.
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.
