The University of Louisville School of Dentistry, has a long history that dates back all the way to 1887. Over the course of that history, it has established a national reputation for excellence. The ULSD annually serves more than 50,000 patients in Kentucky and neighboring states, and it has become a leader in integrating the most cutting-edge technology into the classroom.
It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that ULSD expects the best from its students. That applies to your academic performance, of course, but it also applies to your professional and even your personal conduct. Failed courses can get you dismissed, but so too can ethical lapses or criminal convictions.
High standards are important in the healthcare industry. No one wants to worry whether their dentist is fully qualified when they go in to get a filling. There are high standards, though, and there are unreasonable standards. Your professors and supervisors should recognize that you're a student and that part of being a student is making mistakes. You're a student, not a licensed, practicing dentist.
If they don't understand that, you should know that Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team do, and they're here to help. They are committed to the principle that a mistake or two shouldn't stand in the way of you completing school and going on to a successful career in dentistry. Joseph D. Lento and his team know how the ULSD system works and how to use the system to your advantage when problems arise. Most importantly, they believe in you. If you're facing dismissal for any reason, they're ready to fight for your academic and professional futures.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
Most dismissals at ULSD happen for one of three reasons.
- Academic Expectations: Job one at ULSD is being a student. That means attending classes and studying, participating in research and learning the rudiments of clinical work, writing papers, and acing exams. The school's Student Progress and Promotion Committee (SPPC) reviews your academic progress at the end of each term and makes decisions about your promotion. Struggle to keep up with your coursework, and this committee may recommend you retake classes or go through some other type of remediation. The SPPC also has the authority, though, to recommend dismissal from the program.
- Disciplinary Expectations: As at any institution of higher education, you are subject to a Student Code of Conduct at ULSD. The dental program subscribes to the same Code as the university at large. There you'll find a long list of rules against things like trespassing, assault, sexual misconduct, and drug possession. Any violation can potentially lead to dismissal.
- Professional Expectations: Finally, training for a career in the health field isn't just about mastering information. It's also about developing professional standards of ethics and behavior. "Professional standards" can relate to how you treat patients, how you conduct research, how you deal with colleagues and your classroom integrity. Note, too, that it can include aspects of your personal life. If you should mistreat a patient, you can expect serious consequences, but DUI or a domestic abuse conviction can be just as serious. Decisions about professional conduct rest in the hands of the Student Review Council.
The Adjudication Process at UL School of Dentistry
What do you do if you're facing dismissal from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry? That can depend on the specific reason for the dismissal.
- Academic Dismissals: If you're being dismissed for academic cause, you have the right to a performance evaluation hearing before the SPPC. The Student Handbook doesn't offer specifics regarding how such hearings should be conducted, but you can expect that you'll be allowed to offer evidence in support of your academic abilities as well as any extenuating circumstances that may have caused your deficiencies.
- Disciplinary Dismissals: Most disciplinary dismissals are subject to the University of Louisville's Code of Conduct procedures. In addition to a thorough investigation, you are entitled to a hearing before the university's Conduct Board, at which you may present evidence and call witnesses. Importantly, you have the right to choose an advisor to help you with your case, and this advisor may be an attorney.
- Sexual Misconduct Dismissals: Sexually-based offenses are ordinarily subject to Title IX guidelines. For the most part, cases resemble other types of disciplinary cases at UL. However, Title IX grants Respondents some additional rights, such as the right to cross-examine the Complainant.
- Professional Misconduct Dismissals: As with other types of misconduct dismissals, you are entitled to both an investigation and a hearing. In this case, the hearing takes place before the dental school's Student Review Council. Significantly, you are not allowed to choose an attorney as your advisor for these hearings. This does not mean, however, that you should not consult with Joseph D. Lento and his Student Defense Team. Even if they cannot accompany you to the hearing itself, they can offer you valuable information about defense strategies and how to present your case.
No matter what type of dismissal you may be facing, Joseph D. Lento and his Team are well-versed in the rules and procedures. They've spent years defending students from all types of charges, and they're familiar with how all of ULSD's processes work. They can work with you to gather evidence, assist in drafting necessary documents, and even help you come up with questions for witnesses.
Fighting for Your Future
Make no mistake: if you're facing dismissal, everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent hours studying for the Dental Admissions Test; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through difficult interviews. You've also put in the work since you were admitted to dental school: long hours of studying and even longer hours of clinical work. Expulsion means all of that work comes to nothing. It means trying to find an entirely new career. It means having to pay back any student loans you've accumulated without a dental degree to help you do it.
You don't want to go into this situation alone. Not only is everything at stake, but if your school is considering dismissal, it's already actively working against you. You need someone who's on your side, who has your best interests at heart, and who is willing to fight for those interests. You want Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. Joseph D. Lento and his team know the law as it applies to education. They also know how campus judicial systems work. They're highly experienced with all aspects of investigation, adjudication, and appeals processes and have helped hundreds of students just like you get the justice they deserve.
If you're facing disciplinary action, don't wait to see what might happen. Find out exactly what Joseph D. Lento and his team can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-555-3686, or use our automated online form.
