If you are a student at East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine, you know better than anyone how hard you worked to earn your position. The school only enrolls students who are residents of North Carolina, and roughly a quarter of those who apply are accepted. The undergraduate coursework required for admission is, of course, heavily science-based and quite rigorous, and the Dental Admission Test requires many hours of study.

In short, you’ve invested a lot to get to where you are as a student at ECU’s School of Dental Medicine. That’s why if you are accused of academic misconduct, you need to take steps to protect yourself. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is here to help. Our attorneys understand the academic misconduct review process at East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine, and are ready to help you protect the investment you have made in your future. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation to learn more about the allegations against you and to explain how we can help.

Standards for Academic Conduct at ECU School of Dental Medicine

East Carolina University maintains detailed Academic Integrity regulations that all university students, including those enrolled in the School of Dental Medicine, are expected to follow. They define an Academic Integrity Violation (AIV) broadly as “any activity that exhibits dishonesty in the educational process or that compromises the honor of the university.” Examples of AIVs include:

  • Cheating – improperly giving or receiving assistance in connection with academic work
  • Plagiarism – misrepresenting the academic work of another as the student’s own work
  • Falsification/Fabrication – making any false statement relating to the circumstances of any academic work
  • Multiple submissions – submitting the same (or substantial portions of the same) academic work for credit more than once without faculty authorization
  • Violation assistance – helping someone else violate ECU’s Academic Integrity standards
  • Violation attempts – trying to commit an AIV, even if it’s not successful
  • Cheating ring – working with three or more students in a way that improperly benefits at least one of the students

The school’s regulations note that AIVs can include other types of misconduct as well.

Procedures for Resolving Allegations of Academic Misconduct

Suspected Academic Integrity Violations are typically handled at the instructor or dental school level first. The instructor or dental school representative will meet with the student about the suspected AIV. The purpose of this meeting is to give the student a chance to respond to the allegations made about the potential AIV. The student will be notified in advance about the meeting – this must happen within 10 days of when the instructor or the dental school becomes aware of the alleged AIV.

The notice to the student must include the following:

  • “Specific allegations” about the AIV
  • A “brief description” of the evidence supporting the allegations
  • A way for the student to schedule a meeting about the allegations
  • A list of potential sanctions or penalties that can be imposed on the student if the AIV is supported.
  • Specific notice if the instructor or dental school intends to recommend suspension, expulsion, or additional sanctions other than academic penalties in connection with the alleged AIV
  • The contact information for the person sending the notice
  • A copy of the rights and responsibilities that the student has

The student then has 10 days after receiving the AIV meeting notification to confirm a day and time for a meeting. This is important because if the student fails to respond within 10 days, the school is free to make a determination about the AIV based solely on the information they have. In cases where the penalty is limited to an academic one, the penalty may be imposed on the student provided a “preponderance of the evidence” supports doing so.

At the meeting, the student is permitted to have a “nonparticipating observer” present. This is where the LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can help. One of our experienced attorneys can be with you at the meeting as your “nonparticipating observer” to help you understand what is happening. Note that under ECU’s Academic Integrity procedures, your “nonparticipating observer” may take notes for reference during the meeting, but may not “actively participate or present information, verbally or in writing.” That said, there is nothing in the procedures against your observer discussing matters with you privately during the meeting.

After the meeting, the instructor or dental school representative will decide whether to impose academic sanctions against you. You will receive that notification within 10 days of the meeting. In cases where the instructor or school determines you committed an AIV, they will also report it to the school’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR).

Potential Sanctions for Academic Misconduct at the ECU School of Dental Medicine

The following types of penalties can be imposed in situations where a dental instructor or the dental school determines that a student committed an AIV:

  • Educational resolution; essentially, a talk with the instructor that has no consequence in terms of grades about ways to avoid committing the AIV
  • A grade penalty for the specific assignment, including a grade reduction, an “F” grade or the equivalent, or a requirement that the student redo the assignment
  • A grade penalty for the course that does not involve the student receiving an “F” or the equivalent
  • An “XF” grade for the course, intended to show that the “F” was awarded as a result of an AIV; the “X” may be removed after one year if the student completes certain “XF” removal requirements and requests removal.

Students can appeal the instructor’s sanction to ECU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR). The OSRR will then schedule the matter for a hearing before an Academic Integrity Appeal Board (AIAB), which may uphold, amend, or reject the recommended penalty.

In more serious cases – where the recommended sanctions include probation, deferred suspension, suspension, or expulsion, the matter will be referred to ECU’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR), which will schedule it for a hearing before an Academic Integrity Board (AIB). The AIB will be responsible for determining whether a violation occurred and, if so, what the sanction should be.

In any case where there is a hearing – whether before an AIAB or an AIB – on an allegation that you have committed academic misconduct, you may or may not have the right to have an attorney present with you. In either case, you need the help of an experienced advocate to help you understand the case against you and prepare your defense. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team can be there with you to the extent ECU will permit you to be represented by an attorney to help protect your rights and to defend you against academic misconduct allegations that could lead to you being suspended or dismissed from ECU’s dental school.

The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team Can Defend You Against Allegations of Academic Misconduct at ECU’s School of Dental Medicine

There is a lot at stake if you are a dental student at the ECU School of Dental Medicine who has been accused of academic misconduct. You need to take active steps to protect your rights and defend yourself against allegations that you have committed an AIV. The LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team is here to help.

Our attorneys regularly represent students accused of academic misconduct at schools all across the country, including schools throughout North Carolina. We understand the rules, regulations, laws, and procedures that apply in these cases, and we will fight to protect your rights and to defend you at every step of the process.

When your future is on the line, contact the LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team for help. Call us today at 888.535.3686, or fill out our contact form, and we will schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case.

East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine, Greenville

Tell About Your Case

Understanding Illinois’ Exhaustion of Interventions Mandate

Facing disciplinary action at school can be incredibly stressful for students and their families. When a school threatens long-term suspension or expulsion, academic futures hang in the balance. In Illinois, however, thanks to a landmark law, the state’s priority is keeping students in the classroom. Illinois’ “Exhaustion of Interventions” mandate […]

When Academic Discipline Turns Into Litigation

A recent Idaho case shows how academic disputes can escalate when fairness is in question, particularly where allegations of racial discrimination are raised under federal civil rights law. According to the Idaho Capital Sun, a jury awarded $160,000 to a doctoral pharmacy student who alleged racial discrimination after being removed from […]

When the SRO (School Resource Officer) is Involved: Why “Educational Discipline” Just Became “Legal Defense”

In the name of student safety, schools are installing School Resource Officers (SROs) on campus. But SROs’ involvement in campus problems also means that incidents at school can now turn directly into criminal investigations. What parents need to know is this: If your child faces discipline because of an incident […]

Can Schools Punish Students for Social Media Posts? The Mahanoy Standard

A frustrated high school cheerleader walks into a convenience store on a Saturday afternoon. She snaps a photo with a friend, raises her middle finger, and posts a profanity-filled message to Snapchat complaining about school and cheerleading. By Monday, she’s suspended from the cheer squad. Most students would assume that’s […]