For Cardinals who graduate from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry (ULSD), a decades-long dental career may be in the Cards. Crossing the graduation stage with strong grades and an unblemished (or, at least, only lightly scratched) behavioral record can mean you’re on your way to professional success.

Several issues can prevent a Cardinal Dentistry alum from taking professional flight, though. An allegation of academic misconduct can be a weight on your back—until you resolve the issue in a manner that frees you from the burden.

Removing such weights is what the LLF National Law Firm does for students, securing favorable disciplinary settlements and, in many cases, sparing students from discipline altogether. We are familiar with dentistry, professional programs, and the University of Louisville. Look no further for the right firm to handle your disciplinary problem.

Call the LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online, and don’t wait. We will answer your questions and show you the way past this concerning allegation.

The ULSD Code of Professional Responsibility Defines Academic Misconduct

The U of L School of Dentistry requires that students honor its Code of Professional Responsibility. Two of the most noteworthy sections of this code are titled “Integrity” and “Truthfulness.” Each of these sections alludes to offenses that are traditionally regarded as academic integrity violations, including:

  • Misrepresenting facts, which might include facts about the origin of one’s academic work

  • Falsifying research data or results

  • Giving or receiving prohibited assistance before, during, or after an examination

  • Using personal electronics during any type of examination

  • Doing work in another person’s name (or having another person do work in your name)

Anytime a dentistry student is accused of prohibited academic conduct, it is a serious accusation. You must move forward as if the burden of proof is against you, as this will lead you to present the strongest defense you can. Start building that compelling defense by retaining our Student Defense Team as soon as possible.

How the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Handles Academic Misconduct Complaints (Which Are Possible Code Violations)

The ULSD Code of Professional Responsibility states that it is the duty of anyone affiliated with the school to report any academic misconduct they witness. Once someone witnesses (or believes that they have seen) such misconduct, the next steps are:

  • The presiding faculty member, course or program director, or Associate Dean for Academic Affairs decides whether to resolve the issue

  • If the presiding member pursues a resolution, they will investigate the circumstances surrounding the allegation, and can either administer no sanctions, administer sanctions, or refer the case to the Student Review Council (if they administer sanctions, we will help you understand how to appeal those sanctions, should you choose to)

  • If your case proceeds to the Student Review Council, you will receive notice of the charge(s) against you and a date for an upcoming hearing

  • The Chair of the Student Review Council will orchestrate the hearing, and the Council will be able to call witnesses and question anyone they see fit

  • As the accused, you will have the opportunity to present evidence and both call and question witnesses as you forge your defense

The Council will hold a private vote to determine if sanctions are appropriate. Whether or not the Council recommends sanctions, it will share its recommendation with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.The Dean will make the final decision on the case within ten days of receiving the Council’s recommendation.

Your Right to Request a Reconsideration

If you disagree with the Dean’s decision regarding your case, you can request that they reconsider. This may seem like an unsatisfying method of appeal—could it really make an impact to ask the Dean to reconsider their own decision?

If the reconsideration results in the same frustrating outcome, you can file a grievance. The LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team can help you with one or both of these actions, should you need to exercise your right to appeal an adverse ruling.

The Worst-Case and Best-Case Outcomes to an Academic Misconduct Allegation—and the Outcomes That Fall in Between

The ULSD Code of Professional Responsibility lists six disciplinary actions that can follow a finding that a student violated the code. In order of least severe to most severe, they are:

  1. Reprimand, which is essentially a warning that repeated conduct may result in more severe, formal disciplinary action

  2. Disciplinary restrictions, which can limit the dentistry student’s ability to practice

  3. Disciplinary probation, which places the student “on thin ice” and, if they commit another infraction during the probationary period, the student may face certain (and more severe) sanctions

  4. Disciplinary suspension, which is the removal from the dentistry program for no more than two weeks

  5. Disciplinary dismissal, which excludes the student from the dentistry program for at least one term

  6. Disciplinary expulsion, which is the “permanent” exclusion of the student from the ULSD

Obviously, it is preferable to face a reprimand rather than disciplinary expulsion. You should not underestimate the amount of harm that can result from even a reprimand, though, and avoiding all forms of discipline is the ideal outcome for U of L students accused of academic misconduct.

University of Louisville School of Dentistry

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