Medical schools don't just give degrees away, especially not medical schools like the University of Rochester School of Medicine. Of course, you knew academics were going to be tough—though they're probably tougher than you expected. What you might not have planned for is just how hard it would be to live up to professional expectations. Who knew there would be a dress code, that missing one clinical might mean suspension, or that a DUI—something completely unconnected to your coursework—could get you dismissed entirely?
Here's the reality. You're a medical school student. By definition, you're overworked and stressed. Sooner or later, you're going to make a mistake. How do you make sure that mistake doesn't cost you your career?
The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm know how hard you worked to get where you are. They believe in your future, and they want to make sure you reach it. The Lento Law Firm is about more than well-wishes, though. We know the law as it applies to education. We also know how the University of Rochester School of Medicine operates. We know who to talk to when you're in trouble, what to say, and how to say it. If someone has mentioned the possibility of dismissal to you, don't wait to see what might happen. You need to contact the Lento Law Firm immediately.
For more information, ontact the Lento Law Firm today, at 888-535-3686, or use our automated online form.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
There are essentially two reasons you can be dismissed from the University of Rochester School of Medicine: academic deficiencies and misconduct. Often, the two are related, but for the sake of clarity let's first talk about them separately.
- Academic Deficiencies: Everything you do in med school is evaluated, and all of those evaluations matter. The thing is, there are no unimportant subjects when you're training to be a doctor. Courses are rigorous, and instructors are demanding. General school policy is strict as well. For example, extenuating circumstances are irrelevant when it comes to taking exams:
“If a student begins but does not finish an exam a[...] due to any student related circumstances (including illness), the exam is graded at the point that it is stopped, regardless of disability, regardless of accommodations” (Student Handbook, 18).
The good news is that faculty and administration are encouraged to respond to academic deficiencies with remediation plans rather than formal sanctions. Nevertheless, if you fail to stick to a remediation plan or you consistently struggle to pass exams and courses, you can be placed on probation, suspended, and, ultimately, dismissed.
- Misconduct: Med students are often surprised to discover that misconduct can get them into more trouble than academic deficiencies. The University of Rochester School of Medicine has no tolerance for any form of misconduct. That includes violations of the University of Rochester Standards of Student Conduct. In addition, you're expected to follow the School of Medicine's Honor Code (Handbook, 109), which includes tenets on things like Honesty, Criticism of Colleagues, Sexual Misconduct, and Confidentiality. Any instance of unprofessional or unethical behavior can get you into serious trouble. In addition, you should be aware that your conduct away from campus is subject to review as well. A criminal conviction, for instance, even for something as small as a DUI, can be grounds for dismissal.
Generally speaking, the school's Medical Students Promotions and Review Board (MSPRB) handles issues related to academics, while an Honor Board deals with issues of misconduct. However, as the Student Handbook notes, the School of Medicine treats matters of professionalism as part of the academic curriculum (Handbook, 60). The MSPRB has ultimate authority in all review matters. Honor Board recommendations regarding dismissal must ultimately be approved by the MSPRB, and the MSPRB can take up misconduct allegations itself when it so chooses.
Fighting Dismissal
Again, issues of professionalism are ultimately considered aspects of the School of Medicine's academic curriculum. That can make defending yourself difficult since it isn't always clear which body has jurisdiction in a given case. Generally speaking, though, here's a rough outline of the Honor Board and MSPRB procedures.
- Honor Board: If you've been accused of misconduct, the Honor Board affords you a hearing before determining your level of responsibility and assigning any necessary sanctions. Hearings don't follow formal rules of evidence, but you have the right to present evidence, to call witnesses, and to ask questions of any witnesses against you. Ultimately, the Board applies a legal standard known as “preponderance of the evidence” to decide whether or not you've committed an offense. According to this standard, you're Responsible (guilty) if the Board is more than fifty percent convinced of your guilt (Handbook, 114).
- MSPRB: In contrast to Honor Board decisions, MSPRB decisions are made without input from students. That is, at least initially, you have no right to address the Board, to offer up evidence, or to question witnesses. However, should the MSPRB decide to dismiss you, you have the right to appeal that decision to the school's Appeals Board. You are entitled to appear before the Appeals Board and to argue your case in full (Handbook, 59).
- Dean of the Medical School: Finally, you can appeal Appeals Board decisions further to the Dean of the Medical School. However, you must have clear grounds for appeal. Appeals are strictly based on a review of the evidence, and the Dean's decision is final (Handbook, 62).
School of Medicine policy bars attorneys from participation in hearings. You are entitled to bring an “advocate” with you, and it's possible this advocate could be an attorney from the Lento Law Firm as long as they did not participate directly in the proceedings.
Whether or not a Lento Law Firm attorney can sit beside you at hearings, though, you absolutely need their help in preparing your case. The firm's Student Defense Team can work with you to develop a defense strategy, help you collect and organize evidence, and even give you practice in making your presentation. Campus judicial procedures can be confusing and difficult to navigate. Having help from a Lento Law Firm attorney gives you your very best chance of getting the justice you deserve.
Fighting for Your Future
If you're facing dismissal, you need to know everything is on the line. You've worked for many years to get to this point. You earned an undergraduate degree; you spent dozens, maybe hundreds of hours studying for the MCAT; you filled out applications, convinced referees to write on your behalf, and sat through demanding interviews. The threat of dismissal puts all of that in jeopardy. It means having to look for a new career. It means having to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans without a medical degree to help you do it.
There's simply too much on the line to go into this situation alone. Judicial rules and procedures can be complex, and your school is not on your side in this instance. You need someone who is, someone who has your best interests at heart and who is willing to fight for those interests. You want an attorney from the Lento Law Firm.
The Lento Law Firm was built to help students. The firm's attorneys 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 the Lento Law Firm can do for you. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or use our automated online form.
