The premed path is not an easy one. You've worked hard to get to this point in your academic career. You show up every day for class. When you're not in class, you're studying. You still find time to squeeze in some clinical shadowing and prep work for the MCAT.
A single allegation of misconduct can undo all that work, though.
Here's the thing: no one is perfect, not even premed students. Mistakes happen. Misunderstandings happen. False accusations happen. You can't let a misconduct charge stand in the way of graduating from Tulane and going on to medical school.
How do you prevent it? Below, you'll find useful information to help you defend yourself, no matter what sort of accusation you might be facing. Before we get into any of that, though, you should know that with so much at stake, you just can't afford to try and handle your defense all on your own. You need a professional. You need someone from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team was built to protect student rights. We understand exactly what's at stake. We know the law and how to use it to protect you. We know how Tulane University operates. No one is better equipped to guide you through the investigation and adjudication process than we are.
To find out more about what we can do for you, call 888-535-3686. Or, take a few minutes right now and tell us a little about your situation.
Misconduct at Tulane University
Part of the problem of avoiding trouble at Tulane is that there are just so many kinds of trouble you can get into. The university maintains dozens of rules and regulations, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. One thing that can help: virtually all of these rules can be grouped into three basic categories. Know these, and you can avoid most problems before they happen.
- Academic Misconduct: Tulane expects you to earn your degree honestly. Any medical school you apply to will expect that as well. That means no cheating. It means no plagiarism. It means no dishonesty of any kind related to your coursework.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: Premed students are often under the mistaken impression that medical schools only care about their grades. In fact, violating Tulane's Code of Student Conduct can be a far bigger problem than a C or D on your transcript. The Code covers everything from hazing to misuse of computer resources. Think of it as the laws of your community. Just as with actual laws, most Code rules have to do with treating others and the university with respect.
- Sexual Misconduct: The Code also contains important information about sexually-based offenses. These are usually subject to Title IX guidelines, so they tend to be treated as their own category of offense. Federal law requires schools to investigate all credible complaints. In addition, it encourages schools to issue harsh sanctions. Dismissal is the most common punishment.
If you're dismissed from Tulane, you'll have more to worry about than med school applications. Keep in mind, though, that your sanction doesn't have to be nearly that serious to create problems with your applications. Even a warning for plagiarism can raise red flags for medical school admissions boards. You can't afford to take any charge lightly.
Misconduct Procedures
All students at Tulane, premed or otherwise, are entitled to due process. That is, the university can't simply accuse you of an offense and issue a sanction. You're presumed Not Responsible (innocent) until proven Responsible (guilty). The university must conduct a thorough investigation, and it must give you a fair opportunity to defend yourself.
The process can be complicated, though, which is one important reason why you need a Lento Law Firm attorney to help you.
Here's a rough outline of what you can expect.
- Accusations can arise from virtually anywhere—another student, an instructor, an administrator, or some other type of staff member. In addition, different kinds of charges are handled by different university offices.
- No matter what the charges, though, you are entitled to Notice of those charges. This Notice should include details about the allegation, including the name of your accuser or alleged victim. It should also list all of your due process rights.
- Even in minor cases, you should expect some type of investigation. If your instructor believes you've committed plagiarism, for example, they'll need to gather some evidence. As part of any investigation, you always have the right to give your side of the story, to offer evidence, and to suggest witnesses.
- If the investigation seems to substantiate the charge, you're then given the opportunity to make your case at a formal hearing. Hearings can take place in front of an administrator or a single decision-maker, or you may face a panel of decision-makers. In any case, you should have the opportunity to offer arguments, introduce evidence, call witnesses to testify, and raise questions for any witnesses against you.
- You aren't subject to the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard you're probably familiar with. Instead, decision-makers apply a different standard known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This requires them to find you Responsible (guilty) if they believe you “more likely than not” committed an offense.
- You can appeal a hearing outcome, but here again, procedures can be complicated. For example, you must establish specific grounds for an appeal, such as a procedural error in your case or the discovery of new and relevant evidence.
These steps can be difficult to navigate. They're made even more so by the fact that different types of charges are handled in different ways. For instance, during Title IX hearings, Complainants and Respondents are allowed to cross-examine one another. That's not the case in other types of hearings. The good news is that your Lento Law Firm attorney is familiar with all of Tulane's judicial procedures. Not only can they help you properly prepare for what you'll be facing, but they can suggest ways to use your due process rights to your best advantage.
You should know that, except in Title IX cases, Tulane bars students from bringing attorneys with them to investigative meetings and hearings. That does not mean you shouldn't consult someone from the Lento Law Firm. Most of your case is about preparing—developing a sound defense strategy, locating and organizing evidence, drafting documents, coming up with questions for witnesses, and coming up with answers of your own. Your Lento Law Firm attorney can play a crucial role in all of these aspects of your case. Most importantly, they can monitor what happens and make sure you are treated fairly and that you are afforded all the rights you deserve.
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 Tulane 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.
