So you want to be a doctor. Good for you. The world definitely needs more physicians. We don't need to tell you that it's a tough road to an MD, though. You know all about the requirements—biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, and OChem. You're smart, you're hardworking, and you can handle those courses.
You may not have factored in just how important your personal and professional behaviors are. We as a society expect a lot of doctors, not just in terms of what they know but in terms of how they behave. You might manage to slip into med school with a D or an F on your transcript if you spin it just right. A drug possession charge? Not so much.
Below, we'll get into all of Columbia University's disciplinary policies and how to deal with an allegation. Before we do that, though, you should know that you aren't alone if you need to defend yourself. The Lento Law Firm is here to help. Our Student Defense Team is focused on protecting student rights and getting you the justice you deserve. We believe in what you're doing, we're on your side, and we have helped hundreds of students face down charges and go on to successful careers.
What can we do for you? To find out, call 888-535-3686. Or take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Middlebury College
It can be confusing to keep up with all the various rules and regulations at Columbia. One thing that can help is recognizing that all of these rules and regulations basically fit into three categories. Know those, and you'll have a pretty good idea of what types of mistakes to avoid.
- Academic Misconduct: First up, you have to know that Columbia will come down hard on you for cheating, plagiarism, and any other sort of classroom dishonesty.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Outside of class, your actions and behaviors are governed by the Student Code of Conduct. This document deals with non-academic misconduct, things like underage drinking, theft, assault, and hazing.
- Sexual Misconduct: Finally, Columbia is required by federal law (Title IX) to investigate, adjudicate, and sanction allegations of sexual misconduct. You can find yourself in trouble for anything from simple verbal harassment to stalking, dating violence, and rape.
Sanctions for misconduct can vary widely depending on the exact nature of the offense. A first cheating offense might result in a lower grade on the assignment. Stalking could get you dismissed. As a pre-med student, though, you can't afford any Responsible (guilty) finding. Even if it's just a warning for plagiarism, if it shows up on your permanent record, it could put your career in medicine in jeopardy. Medical schools aren't anxious to accept students who break the rules—any rules—and there are plenty of other candidates out there with clean records.
You can't afford to take any allegation lightly. You have to fight, and you have to be smart about how you fight. That's where the Lento Law Firm comes in. We know how the Columbia judicial system works, and we know how to use your rights to your best advantage.
Misconduct Procedures
Let's say you've been accused of some form of misconduct. What happens next? A lot of the specifics of your case will depend on the nature of the charges against you. If you've been charged with disciplinary misconduct, for instance, your case is under the jurisdiction of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS). If you've been accused of sexual misconduct, you'll face Columbia's Title IX Coordinator.
In general outline, however, the processes are similar.
- Essentially, anyone can file a complaint against you—instructors, staff, administrators, or other students. Normally, the university conducts some type of preliminary investigation to determine whether the complaint is credible and actionable.
- You have a number of due process rights, such as the right to a presumption of “Not Responsible” (innocent) and the right to review all evidence in the case. If used appropriately, these rights can be crucial to building your defense.
- You can expect Columbia to conduct some form of investigation. If the allegations have to do with cheating, this might be as simple as collecting examples of your work. On the other hand, sexual misconduct investigations involve physical evidence and witness interviews and can take several months to complete.
- At the conclusion of the investigation, the university sets a time and date for a hearing. It will also appoint one or more decision-makers to conduct the proceedings.
- Whatever the specific format of the hearing, you should have the opportunity to submit evidence and to call witnesses. You should also be allowed to raise questions about any evidence being used against you, including witness testimony.
- Cases at Columbia are decided using a legal standard known as "preponderance of the evidence." Note that this standard is far less stringent than "beyond a reasonable doubt." In simple terms, it means that you can be found Responsible (guilty) if decision-makers believe you "more likely than not" committed the offense.
- Another of your important rights is the right to appeal. This right isn't universal, however. In order to file an appeal, you must be able to show you were treated unfairly in some way. Grounds are normally restricted to procedural error, new evidence, or a sanction that is disproportionate to the offense.
Columbia doesn't always allow you to select an attorney as your advisor, and in no case can an attorney conduct your defense for you. Keep in mind, though, that your Lento Law Firm attorney can do far more for you than simply sit beside you at a hearing. It's their job to map out your defense and develop your best arguments. They'll work with you to gather and organize evidence. They can help you come up with questions for witnesses. They can even prepare you to present your case. More important than anything else, though, your Lento Law Firm attorney will monitor all aspects of your case and make sure you're treated fairly at every step of the way.
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 Columbia University 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.
