If you're part of Cornell University's premed program, you're a special kind of student. You're obviously bright and disciplined. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to handle the difficult course loads. More importantly, you have a commitment to helping others that's becoming rare these days.
The fact that you're special, though, doesn't immunize you from misconduct allegations. Misunderstandings happen all the time. False accusations happen. And let's face it, even premed students can make mistakes. Universities these days can be quick to assume the worst, quick to initiate investigations, and quick to assign serious sanctions to students they find Responsible for (guilty of) offenses. The fact is, though, that even if the charge is minor and the punishment nothing more than a warning, a Responsible finding can keep you out of medical school.
The Lento Law Firm wants to make sure that doesn't happen. Our Student Defense Team was created to protect student rights. We know how Cornell University's judicial processes work. We also know what the law has to say about your rights as a student. You can trust us to guide you through rules and procedures and to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
To find out more, call 888-535-3686 or take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Cornell University
Part of the problem of keeping your record clean if you're a premed student at Cornell is that the university has so many rules. It's easy to wind up in trouble even without realizing you've done anything wrong. There are three basic categories of offense.
Academic Misconduct: First, you can be accused of violating Cornell's Academic Integrity policy. Examples of violations include cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, and misrepresentation, but any form of classroom dishonesty can get you into trouble.
Disciplinary Misconduct: Cornell's Academic Integrity policy governs your classroom behavior. The Student Code of Conduct governs your more general campus behavior. That can include anything from misuse of computer resources to assault.
Sexual Misconduct: This form of misconduct is actually subject to federal law under Title IX. Cornell is obligated to investigate all credible complaints, and the government encourages schools to institute harsh punishments. Suspension is generally the minimum sanction. Dismissal is the most likely sanction.
There are all sorts of policy violations you can commit at Cornell and a wide range of potential sanctions. Keep in mind, though, that even a warning for a minor offense can have vast repercussions for premed students. Any Responsible (guilty) finding on your transcript can keep you from getting into medical school, even if you are a Cornell student with a top GPA.
Misconduct Procedures
As you would be in the “real” world, you're entitled to a number of due process rights as a Cornell student. The university can't simply sanction you because you've been accused, for instance. You're entitled to an investigation and a hearing. You're supposed to be treated as Not Responsible (innocent) until proven Responsible (guilty). You should be allowed to review all the evidence in the case, and you have the right to select a Lento Law Firm attorney to advise you during the case.
Here's more on what you can expect from the process.
Cases begin with an allegation. This could come directly from an instructor, it could be filed with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, or it could be under the purview of the university's designated Title IX Coordinator.
If you are under investigation, you are entitled to a Notice of the Charges. This Notice should include the name of your accuser, details about the allegation, and a list of all your due process rights.
As part of the investigation, you have a right to give your side of the story. Investigators will also collect any physical evidence and may speak to any witnesses with knowledge of the case.
It is the job of investigators to compile their findings into a written document. This is then submitted to the appropriate university office. The university then sets a time and date for a hearing.
Cornell maintains several different hearing bodies. These bodies preside over the hearing and are responsible for determining your level of Responsibility.
At the hearing, you have the right to make arguments, introduce evidence, and call witnesses to testify. In addition, you may raise questions for any witnesses against you.
Decision-makers are required to find you guilty if they believe it is “more likely than not” that you committed an offense. This legal standard is known as “preponderance of the evidence.”
If you should lose your case, you can appeal, but only under certain conditions. These include
- An error in how the code in question was interpreted
- A decision that is clearly erroneous
- The discovery of new evidence
- A disproportionate sanction.
These procedures can be confusing in and of themselves, but they are often made more so by the fact that different charges are handled in different ways. For example, if you're accused of Title IX sexual misconduct, your advisor must ask all witness questions. In other types of cases, panel members ask the questions. It can be difficult to prepare if you don't know the system.
No matter what type of accusation you're facing, though, you can count on your Lento Law Firm attorney to be fully versed in all rules and regulations. Not only will they assist you in preparing your case and accompany you to proceedings, but they can show you how to use the process to your best advantage.
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 Cornell 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 Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686. Or, fill out our online questionnaire.
