The UMKC School of Dentistry was founded in 1881 as a department of the Kansas City Medical College. It was named the School of Dentistry at UMKC in 1963 and has provided excellent dental education to students for over 135 years.
It offers graduate certificate programs in advanced education in general dentistry, periodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, orthodontics, and dentofacial orthopedics, as well as advanced research programs.
As a top-level educational institution offering premier dental education, UMKC School of Dentistry has strict guidelines governing academic and non-academic student conduct. Violating the rules outlined in their Standards of Professional Conduct or the University of Missouri's Standard of Conduct could lead to sanctions of varying degrees of severity, including dismissal.
There are many reasons a student may face dismissal from the UMKC School of Dentistry. Academic dishonesty, forgery of documents, physical abuse, stalking, hazing, harassment, and sexual misconduct are some of these. Repeated failure of a course, even after a remediation plan, could also ultimately result in dismissal. Getting dismissed from dental school could badly hamper your or your student's career prospects – and lead to feelings of failure and hopelessness. If you are facing dismissal, it is imperative to act quickly and put up a strong defense so that you can counter the charges against you at the earliest and avoid severe sanctions such as dismissal.
The accomplished Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm can help ensure you don't have to deal with something as challenging as impending dismissal alone. Trying to defend yourself single-handedly can go wrong and lead to a worse-than-expected outcome. On the other hand, having the Lento Law Firm by your side will ensure you put up the strongest possible defense and obtain a favorable outcome.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Many different behaviors and violations of the honor code at UMKC School of Dentistry could lead to dismissal. In order to uphold its standards as a premier medical education institution, the school has a set of guidelines and a code of conduct that it expects all its students to follow. Indulging in ethical or moral violations, failing to pass a course multiple times, unprofessionalism, and academic or behavioral misconduct can all be grounds for dismissal.
Violating any of these Standards of Professional Conduct may also result in disciplinary action, including dismissal:
- Nonmaleficence: Do No Harm
- Maintain veracity and fidelity
- Maintain responsibility and sense of duty
- Justice and respect for the rights of others
Adjudication Process at UMKC
The process followed during academic dismissals is laid out in the Academic Standards/Procedures document on the UMKC website. If a student's GPA falls below 3.0 for a course, they are put on probation. While on probation, if an advanced education resident or graduate student fails to attain an overall GPA of 3.0 or more at the end of two successive semesters, they will be dismissed. Students can also be dismissed for non-academic reasons, including but not limited to an ethical violation, drug usage, violence or bullying, cheating, and more.
Except in cases of academic dishonesty, students at UMKC are also subject to the University of Missouri Student Conduct Code.
Any violation of the Standards of Professional Conduct needs to be reported to the Chair of the Honor Council. Once a violation is filed, the Chair will investigate any misconduct before initiating formal proceedings.
- Preliminary Procedures: The student in question meets the Chair of the Honor Council to discuss the alleged violation. The Chair is responsible for providing the student with a written copy of the charges against them before proceeding with the investigation.
- Informal Disposition: The Chair may dismiss unfounded charges or impose sanctions on the students. An informal disposition is then announced, which the student may accept or refuse within a fixed time frame.
- Notice of Hearing: If a student rejects the informal disposition or if a formal disposition is otherwise indicated, a formal hearing is scheduled at the earliest. The student is given written notice of the hearing. This notice includes the alleged date, time, and place of the violation, the conduct for inquiry, and the date, time, and place of the hearing.
- Honor Council Hearing: At the formal hearing, the council may question witnesses and challenge any evidence presented. They may call additional witnesses or require additional investigation. The student is allowed to submit a written response to the charges against them and can have an advisor or counselor present with them. This counselor may advise the student but may not question members of the council or witnesses.
- Outcome: Following the hearing, the council will determine if disciplinary action is to be imposed upon the student and the nature of the disciplinary action. This can include a warning, probation, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion.
Appeals Process
Students have the right to appeal a dismissal. An appeal has to be made in writing and addressed to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs within a week of dismissal.
You will then have to present your appeal at a hearing of five members selected by the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs and the Chair of the Advanced Education Committee. This meeting of the Hearing Panel will be scheduled within two weeks of receipt of your written appeal. The student will have to provide a written statement to the Programs Director and may have an advisor present.
During the appeal process, a student may be allowed to attend classes pending the final decision. However, this is only at the discretion of the Chancellor.
Why Contact a Student Defense Attorney
If you are facing dismissal, you may feel as though your future career as a dentist is over, and there's nothing you can do. But you aren't out of options. The Lento Law Firm can help you put up a defense that increases your odds of facing less severe sanctions and obtaining the best possible outcome in your case.
Working with the Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will give you access to a team of highly competent attorneys who are passionate about justice and will find a way to protect your academic career from severe sanctions. Unlike other local law firms that may not have a lot of experience in student defense, attorneys at the Lento Law Firm have helped defend many students nationwide against cases involving discipline or other student issues. With the Lento Law Firm by your side, you will have stellar legal advice at all times, as well as the support and guidance you need to see you through a difficult situation such as facing academic dismissal.
If you are facing dismissal, do not waste any time in reaching out to the Lento Law Firm. Being prepared and acting early can make a huge difference to your case. Schedule a consultation with the Student Defense Team or call us at 888-535-3686.
