For students looking for clinical exposure, the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downer’s Grove, Illinois, is a popular choice. But as with many dental schools, Midwestern has strict ethical standards for its students. It’s important to understand those expectations before you enroll.
The LLF National Law Firm understands the rules students face when they’re studying in specialized areas. We work with students across the country who’ve dealt with disciplinary issues related to breach of standards at their schools. If you’re dealing with issues related to professionalism at your school, give us a call at 888-535-3686 or complete our confidential contact form.
Defining Professionalism at Midwestern
When dental schools talk about professionalism, they mean far more than neat scrubs and punctuality. For students at the Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Downers Grove, Illinois, the expectation is clearly outlined in the school’s policies.
Students at Midwestern are expected to “emulate the legal, moral, and ethical standards expected of professionals and display behavior that is consistent with these qualities.” To progress academically, students not only need to maintain passing grades, but they also must uphold these professional standards.
Where to Find Midwestern’s Professional Definitions
Details on Midwestern’s definition of professionalism are available in the student handbook, with most of the guidelines listed in Appendix 1. Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior both while on campus and off, and unprofessional conduct can lead to disciplinary action and even expulsion.
“Unprofessional conduct” covers a variety of infractions, including:
- Copying the work of another student
- Unauthorized use of aids to complete coursework, including artificial intelligence
- Plagiarizing other works or allowing others to submit plagiarized work without authorization
- Collaborating with other students on projects without authorization
- Deceptive or illegal use of school computer resources
- Falsifying information in any academic exercise
- Helping or attempting to help other students in acts of academic dishonesty
- Forging or misusing university documents
- Knowingly providing false information to the university
- Unprofessional communications delivered verbally or in writing, including through email and social media
- Bullying or harassing other students or school personnel, including through social media
- Making unauthorized recordings of classes or patient encounters
- Attending class or other school-related settings while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Failing drug tests, including for use of marijuana
- Misuse of pharmaceutical privileges
- Neglecting clinical and/or hospital duties or patient rights
- Violating federal, state, or local laws while on campus or while attending approved off-campus events, including rotations
Reporting Unprofessional Behavior
Midwestern relies primarily on complaints to police student behavior. The university provides a professionalism and code of conduct reporting process that offers an official channel for teachers, students, and staff members to document any violations of the school’s code of conduct.
Complaints go to the office of the Dean of Students, which investigates complaints. This includes complaints against teachers and staff members. When a complaint comes into the dean’s offices, employees determine whether it has merit. The dean’s office investigates and makes all final disciplinary decisions.
Complaints Investigations at Midwestern
After receiving a complaint, the dean’s office will schedule an interview with the person named in the complaint. When applicable, the dean will also interview others who might provide valuable insights. Following this interview, the Dean of Students will make a decision, which in some cases means imposing disciplinary action.
Within five days of rendering a decision, the dean’s office will notify the dean of the appropriate college. You, the student, will also be notified in writing, including details of any disciplinary action that has been imposed.
Possible Disciplinary Actions at Midwestern
If the dean has decided your behavior violates the school’s standards of professionalism, disciplinary action will be imposed. Possible actions include:
- Academic warning
- Failing grade or no credit for any coursework in question
- Individual course suspension
- Automatic failure in a particular course
- Academic probation
- Disciplinary warning
- Disciplinary probation
- Temporary suspension
- Permanent dismissal
Appealing Professionalism Decisions at Midwestern
Dental students don’t have to simply accept the dean’s decision. If you have a valid case, you can appeal to the university president. You have only five days to submit your appeal, in writing, and you’ll need to include the reason for your appeal with all relevant facts. The university president will gather information, including the dean’s report and all documentation that led to the disciplinary action.
The president will take one of the following actions:
- Uphold the original decision
- Alter any penalties imposed
- Request more information from the dean of students and/or the appropriate college dean
The president’s decision is final, so it’s important to take the time to craft your appeal document. Students have the right to see all documentation related to their complaint investigation and subsequent disciplinary decisions.
How Professionalism Complaints Arise
Midwestern students often wonder why a complaint would come up in the first place. Here are some common scenarios that might lead to an investigation:
- While on rounds, you make a flippant remark about your supervisor’s instruction in front of a patient
- You’re routinely late to your scheduled clinic shift, even if it’s due to factors outside your control
- You’re arrested for driving under the influence or you harass another student, even while off campus
How the LLC National Law Firm Can Help
Unfortunately, all too often, school decisions are subjective. Unlike a court of law, where defendants must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, schools go by the preponderance of the evidence. Although Midwestern outlines its definition of professionalism, that definition is just vague enough that you can find your education in jeopardy solely because you weren’t clear on what qualifies as “unprofessional.”
To protect students, Midwestern has built in some safeguards through its investigative procedures. You’ll have a chance to state your case to the dean’s office and appeal unfavorable decisions. That window of opportunity is small, though, so it’s important to make the most of it. Our experienced education lawyers can help you craft responses, prepare for meetings, and mount effective appeals.
Contact the LLF National Law Firm Today
Professionalism can be subjective, even at schools like Midwestern that make efforts to define it in their policies. The LLF National Law Firm knows what’s at stake when a student faces disciplinary action, and we can help. Contact our experienced attorneys at 888-535-3686 or complete this form with some details about your situation.