The University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson (COM-T) is a globally respected school founded in 1967. The university has four other Health Science schools in Arizona, all with a research-intensive discipline. The College of Medicine offers a unique opportunity to students through a partnership with the state of Arizona to provide free tuition to medical students who work in rural areas post-residency in order to improve the care of underserved populations. As a prestigious and competitive institution, being a student at COM-T opens the doors to many valuable opportunities after graduation.
The privilege that comes with being a medical student at the University of Arizona also comes with a great amount of responsibility. The institution maintains high standards for professionalism and codes of conduct. Misconduct, including cheating, plagiarism, ethics violations, and a lack of professionalism, can lead to suspension or expulsion. You worked hard to get to this point, but with everything that can go wrong during a hearing, you need the help of the Lento Law Firm and their Student Defense Team.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
COM-T has an extensive student handbook that outlines the policies and procedures surrounding dismissal. Generally, suspension or expulsion results from repeated or flagrant mistakes by the student. The main causes of this include academic progression issues, honor code violations, a lack of academic integrity, unprofessional behavior, or violation of policies like HIPAA.
Progression issues are the leading cause of dismissal from medical school due to the rigorous nature of the program. Medical students face a heavy workload, and keeping up with deadlines and extensive studying can be difficult. Falling behind your peers in your academic progression can result in dismissal from school. Unprofessional conduct is an issue because medical students will be working in the public sector. Even outside of the workplace, they are held to a high standard, which is why students can face disciplinary action for behavior in extracurricular activities or interactions. In hand with this, ethical violations can be problematic due to the sensitive nature of the role; learning appropriate bedside manners is essential to succeed in the medical field. This would call for the dismissal of the student.
The Adjudication Process
Students facing disciplinary action at COM-T will go through a formal process of adjudication which ensures due process. The school offers an outline of the Code of Conduct Process. Generally, this involves a hearing in which a panel reviews your case to determine whether you are guilty of misconduct. The decision authorities on the panel involved include fellow students and faculty. In this hearing, you will have to present your case and defend your evidence to prove innocence. The panel may request witnesses to question as well as review any relevant documents or other physical evidence. After the hearing ends, the panel of judges will deliberate and decide what disciplinary action should be taken according to the school's policies. Even if you did not commit any violations, the hearing process can be very stressful. With the help the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team, you don't have to go through the process alone.
Even under normal circumstances, the adjudication process can be overwhelming and confusing. the Lento Law Firm can offer guidance to support you through this. Medical students are already under a lot of pressure, but his experience can make the process smoother and make you feel more confident going into the hearing. He and his team cannot participate directly in the proceedings due to school policy, but they can prepare you beforehand to ensure you are fully informed and have your rights protected. With the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team by your side, you can better understand the adjudication process itself, the potential actions that could be taken and the consequences, and how to present your case most effectively to the panel.
Handling Appeals
If you should face suspension or expulsion, you have the right to appeal your decision through a formal process. At COM-T, if the student requests an appeal, it is sent to the University Hearing Board, who will make a recommendation to the Provost. The Provost will make the ultimate decision for the case. If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Provost, you can file a request for review or rehearing if you were deprived of a fair and impartial process, new information is discovered, the sanction is excessively severe, not justified, or not legal.
The Lento Law Firm can help you prepare your written argument to ensure that you present your case with the best evidence. Their Education Law Team can also advise you on the best ways to present the case and how you can handle and answer questions at the hearing.
Hiring an Attorney Advisor
If you are a medical student facing dismissal from COM-T, The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is here to help; they have years of experience defending the rights of medical students and will ensure that your rights are protected. Rather than facing the adjudication process and administrative board alone, the Lento Law Firm can prepare your written argument, walk you through the process, and prepare you for success in the hearing.
With the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team by your side, you can increase your chances of success in the adjudication and appeals processes and protect your future as a medical professional.
Medical school is no small achievement, especially one as prestigious as COM-T. If you or someone you know are facing dismissal due to allegations of misconduct or progress issues, The Lento Law Firm is here to help. Protect your future as a medical professional—help is here.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for more information about how to approach your case.
