The City University of New York School of Medicine (CUNY Medicine) is a public medical school established in 2015 in New York, New York. It is part of the CUNY Complex, with 117 staff members and over 400 students. As a medical student at CUNY Medicine, you can learn in world-class facilities in one of the country's most dynamic and diverse cities. But to complete your program and move on to higher tiers of learning, you must demonstrate ethical behavior, high professionalism, and maintain good grades. If you falter, make a mistake, or experience chronic academic issues, you face sanctions like dismissal that negatively affect your reputation and future.
Medical school is notoriously tough on students to prepare them for the rigorous demands of their future profession. As a professional in a position of public trust, your personality and performance receive scrutiny, and this starts as you learn. While making mistakes is unavoidable, not all have easy solutions – especially when a violation is egregious. If you face dismissal from CUNY Medicine, never take on the adjudication process alone. Send the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team a message for more information, or call 888-535-3686 to discuss your options.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Medical schools like CUNY Medicine must enforce discipline, order, and high standards when evaluating students to maintain their standing in national rankings. Some of the most common reasons for dismissal from medical school include failure to perform well academically, lack of professionalism, and academic integrity violations. Medical schools sometimes dismiss students for minor infractions if these become a repeated issue. In others, you may receive a dismissal sanction from your first offense if it is severe enough to warrant such a sanction. Regardless of the reason, you deserve fair and impartial due process before such a decision is taken.
Adjudication Process
According to the Student Handbook, academic integrity violations, lack of progress, and lack of professionalism lead to dismissal. The medical school Academic Integrity Officer is the initial point of contact for students and faculty who wish to report a violation. When faculty members believe a violation occurred, they must review the facts and circumstances of the alleged violation to determine whether they have sufficient evidence to make a report through the Faculty Report Form. They submit the form to the Academic Integrity Officer and must copy the Medical School Department Chair.
When the Academic Integrity Officer receives notice of a complaint, they consult with the person making the accusation and with student affairs and academic affairs administrators when needed. The Academic Integrity Officer then reviews the student's history to determine if they previously committed a violation and if any sanctions decisions happened, like probation.
Academic Dismissal
The student handbook maintains that students receive a dismissal sanction if they have severe academic and professional deficiencies, such as:
- Remaining on probation for over one year
- Not meeting CUNY Medicine's professional competencies
- Failing any course during the probation period
- Receiving a Conditional grade in a third Organ Systems Course in the M1 and M2 years
- Failing a course, clerkship, or module more than once
- Receiving a conditional grade during a third-shelf exam during their M3 year
- Failing the clinical portion of two clerkships
- Failing any repeated course or clerkship
Professionalism Hearing Process
If a student violates the Professionalism standards at CUNY Medicine, they may face a Student Academic Progress Committee Professionalism Hearing Procedure. CUNY Medicine informs students in advance of the hearing, including what they are being charged for, and explains the hearing procedures.
The SAPC Chair presides over the meeting and rules on motions questioning whether a committee member may be impartial. When the accusing party presents details of the circumstances before the committee, they leave the hearing, and the accused student then responds to the charges. Once this phase ends, the committee deliberates in a closed session and decides on an outcome regarding the charges, such as dismissal.
Appeals
Students can appeal the committee's decision if it involves dismissal due to the hearing. Students may appeal to the Dean of the School when they receive the dismissal decision by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Appeals may change the direction of your sanction, but it is not a guarantee that you will not face issues. That's why having the support of the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can increase the likelihood of a favorable case outcome.
Once the Dean receives the appeal request, they review the case and the student's history and decide whether to proceed with the dismissal or make amendments to the recommendation. The appeal is final, and students cannot re-appeal after the Dean makes their decision.
Contacting the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team
Dismissal is a challenging and debilitating repercussion that has long and short-term consequences that severely harm your future. Besides the loss of time, money, and effort spent on your degree, your reputation may not recover from such a sanction. With so much at stake, never approach the process alone. Contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team as soon as you learn of a possible hearing or accusation.
The Lento Law Firm Education Law Team has years of experience working with medical students nationwide facing allegations of wrongdoing. With their dedication to their clients, knowledge, and commitment to justice, the team leaves no stone unturned when it comes to working in your best interests.
You don't have to – and should not – go through the process alone because it can significantly alter the course of your future. With the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team to guide you through the process, you are less likely to face a negative outcome.
If you or someone you love face dismissal from CUNY Medicine for unprofessional behavior, academic issues, or behavioral issues, every second counts in your pursuit of justice. Contact the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team now for help, or call 888-535-3686 for more information about your options.
