Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is one of the US's best and most prestigious medical schools. After studying in Lansing, graduates from MSU are well-rounded and renowned as scholars, gifted doctors, and researchers. The College of Human Medicine (CHM) enforces the same general academic code as the larger MSU, but the unique challenges of patient care enlarge the scope. Like most medical schools, MSU enforces a stringent code of academic honesty and professional conduct on all medical students. With rapid advances in electronic study aids and artificial intelligence, it is becoming harder to detect and address academic dishonesty or “cheating.” Schools such as MSU make mistakes, which can be very costly for students and may result in suspension or expulsion.
If you face accusations of academic dishonesty, it is vital not to panic or make hasty but bad decisions. Take a moment and consider your next move carefully. Remember that you must take action quickly; time to ponder your strategy is a luxury you do not have. Your first step should be to find and hire an experienced academic misconduct attorney as quickly as possible. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has a proven track record of defending medical students from allegations of academic dishonesty. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or leave your details online, and we will contact you. Don't face these accusations alone.
How Does MSU College of Human Medicine Define “Academic Misconduct?”
In its policy on academic honesty, the College of Human Medicine discourages “cheating and other unprofessional behaviors.” They list the following behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty, including:
Patient Safety Violations
The CHM bans any behavior that implicates or threatens patient safety or welfare.
Falsification
The CHM policy specifically addresses falsification of patient records or false claims on clinic records. It also prohibits making false claims of experience or honors on resumes or other applications. This policy also extends to making false claims or excuses for absences.
Plagiarism or False Data
The CHM policy condemns any presentation of false data or presenting collaborative data or the work of another person or group as your own. In cooperative research, a student must have the principal investigator's permission to present data.
Disrespectful Treatment
The CHM policy specifically lists academic violations that involve disrespecting faculty, peers, nurses, other professionals, and other staff.”
Cheating
The policy prohibits taking an exam for someone else or submitting another person's work on an assignment. This also includes dishonestly receiving materials, such as securing a copy of an examination ahead of the testing date. Included in this prohibition are duplicating or retaining an exam after your test date to share it with others before their test date.
Failing to Report Others
Even in situations where a student is not dishonest but merely fails to report another student's dishonesty, they may be accused of a violation. This includes failing to report another student's unprofessional behavior.
Test Violations
Students at the CHM may be charged for continuing to answer questions after the exam has lapsed or for leaving the testing site without permission. Copying the answers of another student is considered a testing violation. Using a “scribe sheet” or taking a prepared test answer into an examination is also an academic violation, as is “signaling” to another person taking the examination.
Assignment Violations
Students commit academic dishonesty if they collaborate with others when this is expressly prohibited for an assignment.
Bribery
An academic honesty violation includes bribing or attempting to bribe faculty or staff to secure a better grade.
MSU Medical College Procedures for Alleged Violations of Academic Integrity
MSU publishes a Medical Students' Rights and Responsibilities, which calls for specific procedures whenever allegations of academic dishonesty are made.
Grievances vs. Complaints
A grievance is an accusation filed by a medical student against a faculty or staff member. A complaint is an accusation filed by faculty or staff against a medical student. Whether the issue is a grievance or complaint, the hearing body will hear it. A student who receives a failing grade will typically file a grievance, while a student who is accused of cheating will have a complaint. The same hearing body will hear both types of cases.
Hearing
The hearing body will set the time and place for the formal hearing. A student may file a request to exclude a member of the hearing body if they have concerns about impartiality. The student may generally be represented by counsel. At the hearing, a student (or their attorney) has the right to make an opening argument, present evidence and witnesses, ask questions of other witnesses, and make a closing statement and argument.
Decision
The hearing body will decide and determine sanctions. The student may file a reconsideration motion, and the Dean of the medical college must approve more serious sanctions.
All these proceedings should remain confidential, and the parties must maintain confidentiality.
Levels of Discipline at MSU College of Human Medicine
The hearing body may decide to impose the following levels of discipline:
- Warning: This official statement tells the student they may face more severe discipline for future violations.
- Probation: This type of discipline calls for additional observation and evaluation of the student and indicates that further violations will result in more severe discipline. Probation may be for a specific period or may continue until graduation. Sometimes, a probationary limitation will call for immediate suspension or expulsion if further misconduct occurs. For this reason, probation should be taken seriously, and no student should agree to probation until they speak with an experienced attorney.
- Suspension: A suspension is the removal from the medical college for a period after which the student may reapply for admission. A suspension may also be conditional, where the student must complete a particular behavior or study before readmission. Suspensions are a serious matter and must be approved by the dean of the medical college or another designated official. This official can disagree with the suspension and can impose a lesser sanction.
- Dismissal: Dismissal must be approved by the Dean of the relevant medical college or by the Provost. The Dean or Provost may order a lesser sanction.
- Other Actions: The hearing body may impose appropriate disciplinary action, including restitution.
These procedures give the hearing body enormous discretion in terms of discipline, but they also require the administration's approval for suspensions or dismissals (expulsions).
Academic Integrity Defense
Any academic violation can jeopardize your future career as a physician. Don't hesitate to call the Lento Law Firm to discuss your defense to these charges. Our team has a proven track record of defending medical students nationwide. Call the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or leave your details online, and we will contact you.
