In April of 2024, the Department of Education approved New Title IX rules, which are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024. Our firm is closely monitoring ongoing challenges to these new rules in court, and is working hard to provide you the most up-to-date information. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations.
Premed students are special in many ways. You have to worry more about your grades than the average student. You know that your undergraduate education is just the beginning. You have a passion for helping others and for making the world a better place.
No matter how special you may be, though, you're still subject to the same rules and regulations as any other Bowdoin College student. If there's a difference, it's that a misconduct allegation isn't just an annoyance for you. If you're found Responsible for (guilty of) any offense, it could cost you your chance to become a doctor.
The good news is that you don't have to face these kinds of allegations alone. The Lento Law Firm is always on your side. Our Student Defense Team understands just what's at stake for you, and we're dedicated to making sure your rights are protected, and you get the very best possible resolution to your case.
What can we do for you? Call 888-535-3686 to find out. Or, take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Bowdoin College
Staying out of trouble at Bowdoin starts with knowing the rules. There are basically three categories of rules you should be aware of.
- Academic Misconduct: First, you're expected to earn your degree honestly. The college's Academic Honor Code specifically mentions things like plagiarism, cheating, and turning the same work into multiple classes. Basically, anything that could potentially give you an unfair advantage in the classroom could get you into trouble.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Your behavior outside the classroom is just as important as your behavior in it. Just below the Honor Code on the Dean of Students website, in fact, is a Social Code that prohibits things like threatening behavior, hazing, and the misuse of technology.
- Sexual Misconduct: Technically speaking, this form of misconduct is “disciplinary” as well. However, sexually-based offenses are subject to regulation under Title IX, a federal law. As a result, such misconduct is treated as a separate type of offense. You should know, though, that suspension is normally the minimum penalty, and most students found Responsible are simply dismissed altogether from the university.
As this list makes clear, there are a range of offenses at Bowdoin College, and, as you might expect, there are a range of penalties as well, everything from a verbal warning to revocation of your degree. If you're premed, though, there are no “minor” offenses” and no “light” punishments. Any black mark on your transcript, no matter how small, can keep you out of medical school. You must take all charges seriously.
Misconduct Procedures
The good news is that Bowdoin College can't simply accuse you of an offense and issue a sanction. You're always entitled to due process. You have a right to an investigation and a right to a hearing, as well as several other protections. You are, for instance, supposed to be treated as “Not Responsible” (not guilty) until you are proven “Responsible” (guilty), and you should have a chance to review all evidence in the case.
If you're facing a misconduct charge, whether academic, disciplinary, or sexual, here's what you can expect.
- Charges generally originate with a complaint made either to the Dean of Students or the college's designated Title IX Coordinator.
- The appropriate college office will issue you a Notice of the Charges. This should include information about the allegation and a list of all your due process rights.
- One of your most important rights is the right to a “Supporter.” This is someone who accompanies you to meetings and hearings to offer advice and support. You further have the right to choose a Lento Law Firm attorney as your supporter.
- The university will conduct some type of investigation. Often, investigators start by interviewing Complainants (accusers, alleged victims) and Respondents (the accused). This is your first chance to give your side of the story. In addition, however, they'll collect physical evidence and talk with any witnesses.
- Investigators compile their findings into a report. This becomes the foundation for the next phase of the case, a hearing.
- Hearings can be formal or informal, and they can take place before one or multiple decision-makers. No matter what the format, though, you should have the right to make arguments, introduce evidence, call witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses against you.
- Bowdoin College cases are decided using a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” Unlike “beyond a reasonable doubt,” this standard requires decision-makers to find you guilty if they are more than fifty percent convinced you committed an offense.
- Even should you lose your hearing, you may still have an opportunity to prove your innocence under Bowdoin's appeals policy. Appeals are not automatic, though. You must have grounds for your appeal, such as a procedural error or the discovery of new evidence.
All cases follow this general outline, but there can be important differences in how different types of charges are prosecuted. For example, in Title IX cases, Complainants and Respondents are allowed to cross-examine one another. That's not true in any other type of case.
It's important you go into all meetings and proceedings fully prepared. That's what the Lento Law Firm is here to help with. They'll work with you to develop your central arguments, collect and organize evidence, come up with questions for witnesses, and even prepare your actual presentation. Then, of course, they'll be sitting beside you at every step in the process. While they cannot speak on your behalf, they can advise you as to what to say and how to conduct yourself.
Fighting for Your Future
Fighting a misconduct charge is never an easy proposition for anyone. As a pre-med student, though, you face special challenges. Beyond the complexities of the Bowdoin College judicial system, you have to worry about whether sanctions are recorded in your record. You have to worry about who might find out about the allegations and whether those allegations might interfere with recommendation letters, even if they're proven false. You have to keep a close watch on social media and make sure your reputation doesn't suffer online. It's an enormous amount of work to have to deal with on your own.
That's why the minute you suspect you might be in trouble, it's vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We can negotiate with faculty and administrators if that's what's called for, but we can also be fierce in defending our clients.
Let us help you fight for your academic future. To find out more, contact the firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
