Here’s something a lot of med school students don’t realize: you can survive a failed exam. You can probably even survive a failed course. Maybe two. The UNC School of Medicine recognizes that you’re learning, and it’s willing to work with you to solve academic progress issues. Typically, a failed course means remediation, not dismissal.
On the other hand, there’s no tolerance whatsoever for cheating and plagiarism. Even a first offense can lead to dismissal, and if you’re dismissed from med school, your career in medicine is essentially over.
Keep in mind, though, that an accusation of academic misconduct is just that: an accusation. Just as in the criminal justice system, you have the right to due process. Every student gets the opportunity to defend themselves, and if you know how to navigate the disciplinary system, you can find a way to salvage your future.
We can help. LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team was founded to protect student rights. Our attorneys are familiar with UNC SOM policies and procedures, and we can show you how to use them to your advantage.
You need to contact us as soon as possible, though. Medical schools often move quickly, and you can be sure the School of Medicine is already building its case. You should be building your defense. To find out how we can help, call 888-535-3686 today, or take a few minutes right now and fill out one of our online forms.
Defining Academic Misconduct at UNC SOM
UNC SOM doesn’t maintain its own academic misconduct policy. Instead, it relies on the university’s Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct.
These identify four specific offenses:
- Plagiarism
- Misrepresentation
- Unauthorized Assistance/ Collaboration
- Cheating
More broadly, though, the university prohibits any behavior that might give you an unfair advantage in completing your coursework.
The medical school expects you to uphold the same standards of integrity as the rest of the university, but it’s important you recognize that, as a medical student, the consequences for a mistake are far more severe than they are for undergraduates. For example, UNC doesn’t normally suspend or dismiss students for a first academic misconduct offense. Instead, students receive in-class sanctions, like lower grades on assignments or lower course grades. However, med students found responsible for (guilty of) an offense are subject to a review by the medical school’s Student Progress Committee. Their typical response is dismissal.
There’s no coming back from dismissal. It’s not just that you’ll be permanently separated from UNC SOM. You’re not going to find another program to accept you with a black mark on your record. You’ve put too much effort into risking your future at this point. That’s why it’s so crucial that you contact LLF National Law Firm. We’re practicing attorneys, but we’re focused on helping students. No one else has the background and experience that we do.
Navigating the UNC SOM Disciplinary System
As we’ve already suggested, you’re actually subject to two levels of discipline: the UNC Honor System and the UNC SOM Student Progress system. Both afford you some measure of due process. As a starting point, for example, you are entitled to the presumption of innocence (“not responsible”). Only a “preponderance of evidence” can prove you responsible, and it is the university’s burden to provide that evidence.
- Again, the SOM makes use of university mechanisms to investigate and adjudicate academic misconduct allegations. Thus, all cases are handled by the UNC Office of Student Conduct.
- Before filing any formal charges against you, the Office of Student Conduct must believe the allegations are credible and actionable.
- If you’ve been charged, you’ll receive notice of those charges. This notice should provide you with enough information to begin building your case. In addition, it should outline your due process rights.
- During the investigative portion of the case, you have the right to give your side of the story. You should also be apprised of any evidence investigators uncover.
- Once the investigation is complete, you have the option to ask for a hearing before a single administrative officer or the full Hearing Board.
- In either case, the hearing affords you the opportunity to make the case for your innocence. You may introduce physical evidence and call witnesses to testify. You also have the right to raise questions about any evidence being used against you.
- Decision-makers must believe there is a preponderance of evidence against you to find you responsible for the offense. The central question is whether it seems “more likely than not” that you committed a violation.
- A “not responsible” outcome means your case is over. If you’re found responsible, you have the option to appeal that outcome. You must have grounds to do so, though, such as a procedural error, a new piece of evidence to present, or proof that a decision-maker was biased against you.
- Finally, if you are found responsible, the SOM’s Student Progress Committee reviews your case, making the hearing decision for granted. The only question, then, is how to punish you for the offense. Should the committee decide to dismiss you, you can appeal, but again, appeals are based exclusively on issues of procedure. The SPC will not re-investigate or re-adjudicate your case.
Unfortunately, neither the university’s disciplinary system nor the SOM’s disciplinary system allows you to bring an attorney with you to meetings and proceedings. You are expected to speak for yourself throughout your case.
Do not let this dissuade you from contacting LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team. No one can stop you from consulting with us, and we can help you build your case and prepare you to present it. We know what kinds of evidence to look for; we know what kinds of investigative questions you should expect. We’ll outline your hearing presentation and suggest questions for witnesses. Whatever your situation, we’re on your side, and we’ll make sure that UNC and the SOM respect all your due process rights and that you receive a fair and just resolution.
LLF National Law Firm is Always on Your Side
LLF National Law Firm knows what’s at stake in a way other firms just don’t. The attorneys who make up our Student Defense Team have dedicated their lives to ensuring schools treat students fairly, and they care about your future. No one else has the knowledge of campus justice we do. No one else can show you how to use the system to your advantage.
If you’re being forced to fight for your educational future, don’t try to handle the situation yourself, and don’t trust your case to a local attorney. Find out more about what the LLF National Law Firm can do by calling 888-535-3686, or take time right now to fill out our online questionnaire.