If you've been accused of academic misconduct at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM), you absolutely must take the situation seriously. You're not an undergraduate anymore, and allegations of cheating and plagiarism can result in dismissal. Just as importantly, processes and procedures for defending yourself can be complicated and difficult to navigate. You may face charges from the University of Washington, the School of Medicine, or both. You don't want to go into an investigation or hearing on your own.
Luckily, you don't have to. The Lento Law Firm is always on your side and ready to use every resource at our disposal to safeguard your future. We're qualified defense attorneys, but we focus specifically on student representation in university misconduct cases. We know how the University of Washington and the School of Medicine operate, including how judicial processes and procedures operate, and we'll make sure you're treated fairly and afforded every right to which you are entitled.
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 at the University of Washington School of Medicine
Comb through the UWSOM Student Handbook, and you'll find nothing about cheating or plagiarism. Why not? The School of Medicine expects that by this point, you have a clear understanding of what these offenses mean and why it's so important to avoid them. Oh, you'll come across the word "integrity" quite a bit. Physicians are expected to maintain the highest standards of professional integrity, and those expectations start now while you're in medical school. The School isn't going to bother explaining to you what academic integrity means, though. By this point, you should have that down.
The UW policy on Academic Misconduct mentions
- Cheating
- Falsification
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized Collaboration
- Multiple Submission
- Deliberate Destruction of Another Student's Work
- Recording and/or Disseminating Instructional Materials Without Permission
Generally speaking, though, any action you take that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework is prohibited.
The University of Washington, of which the School of Medicine is a part, maintains a wide variety of sanctions for students who commit academic misconduct. Most first offenses are punished with in-class sanctions, though, like lower grades on assignments. Keep in mind: the School of Medicine has higher expectations than the University. In fact, the School makes clear that if you should be found responsible for a university offense, including academic misconduct, it reserves the right to impose its own sanctions over and above any the university may recommend. At a minimum, you should expect suspension. Dismissal is the more likely outcome.
You must contact the Lento Law Firm the very moment you are charged with academic misconduct. Everything is at stake, and only we have the background and experience to protect you.
Defending Yourself From an Academic Misconduct Accusation
You absolutely can and should defend yourself from such allegations. As we mentioned before, though, the process can be complex. You have some important due process rights, like the right to a presumption of innocence, but knowing how to use those rights effectively isn't always easy.
Here's what you can expect.
- The UWSOM Student Handbook suggests that academic misconduct offenses can be handled via a School mechanism or they can be referred to the University's Community Standards and Student Conduct Office (CSSC). In either case, the medical School's Student Progress Committee is ultimately apprised of the case findings and makes it own decisions as to punishments.
- If you've been accused of an offense, the CSSC must provide you with notice of the charges. That notice should explain the allegations and include a complete list of your due process rights.
- A Conduct Officer is assigned to the case, and this Officer conducts an investigation into the incident. As part of this investigation, you have the right to meet with this Officer and give your side of the story. You may also offer evidence and suggest witnesses.
- Once the investigation is complete, the Conduct Officer then holds a full hearing. As part of this hearing, you may introduce evidence and call witnesses to testify. You may also raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Ultimately, the Conduct Officer makes a decision based on the legal standard of “preponderance of the evidence.” According to this standard, you are guilty if the Officer is more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt. In addition, the Officer sets any sanctions as necessary.
- Of course, you also have the option to appeal the Officer's decision. However, you must have sufficient grounds for an appeal, such as a procedural error, new evidence to present, or a disproportionate sanction.
- Once the decision in the case is finalized, the CSSC reports the outcome to the School of Medicine's SPC. The SPC regards this report as conclusive and does not conduct a new investigation or hold a new hearing. Again, the SPC does, however, have the option to assign its own sanctions.
- If you are facing suspension or dismissal, you'll be invited to make a statement in your defense to the SPC. Again, however, there are no hearings at this level.
Things get even more confusing when it comes to your right to support during the process. The University allows you to be accompanied by a support person, who may be an attorney, at all meetings and proceedings. Your Lento Law Firm attorney cannot speak for you, but they can be on hand to help you present your case. The SPC, on the other hand, prohibits attorneys from attending meetings.
In either case, your attorney's job extends well beyond their ability to sit beside you during a hearing. It's their job to help you uncover evidence, for instance, and to define your strongest arguments. They'll prepare you for investigative interviews. They'll outline your hearing presentation and suggest questions for witnesses. And through every stage in the process, you can be certain that your Lento Law Firm attorney will vigorously protect your rights and ensure you're given the justice you deserve.
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.
