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As a premed student at Loyola University Maryland, you have worked hard to get the grades to ensure that your next step on the path to becoming a doctor is a successful entry into medical school. Sometimes, in spite of your best efforts, an allegation of misconduct can arise either academically or behaviorally during your time at Loyola University. An allegation of misconduct should be taken seriously since any kind of blemish on your undergraduate student record can become a serious threat to your entry into medical school and your dream of pursuing a medical career.
When faced with such allegations of misconduct, you must quickly seek to obtain the specifics about the charges against you and understand the procedures for hearing those allegations. You have too much on the line to try and face these challenges alone. The professional attorneys at LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team have experience dealing with student misconduct issues at universities nationwide.
We will stand beside you, help you analyze your case, and proceed with the most rigorous defense on your behalf. We understand the standards of conduct at Loyola University Maryland and know how to proceed effectively on your behalf. Get help today and call 888-535-3686, or use our online form to tell us more about your case.
Types of Misconduct and Misconduct Procedures at Loyola
The guidelines for student conduct at Loyola University Maryland are set out in the 2024-25 Community Standards document. There are three fundamental types of student misconduct at Loyola University: academic misconduct, disciplinary misconduct, and sexual misconduct. References to these types of misconduct can all be found in the Community Standards.
Academic Misconduct
Violations of Loyola University policy related to academic misconduct are contained in the Honor Code section of the Community Standards. The Honor Code defines a violation as: cheating, stealing, lying, forgery, plagiarism, duplicate submission, and the failure to report a violation.
Academic Misconduct Procedures
Under the Honor Code, all students, faculty members, administrators, and staff must report any breach of the Honor Code. In the case of a violation witnessed by a faculty member, the student must be informed of the violation and any appropriate academic sanctions. No later than 30 days after notice, the faculty member must report the infraction in writing, using a violation form, to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and be available as a witness. If a student has witnessed an infraction, a faculty member present during the time of the infraction must be notified. Any administrator or staff person witnessing an infraction must submit a report of the infraction within 30 days to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students and be available to testify as a witness.
A completed violation report is presented to the student, and the student must sign the form within two business days and indicate whether they accept or deny responsibility for the alleged offense. The form is then delivered to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies.
When a report has been filed, the Honor Council is notified and will contact the parties within two class days. During the investigation and hearing, the accused student will have the assistance of an Honor Council representative and will not be considered responsible for the violation unless shown otherwise. Accused students have the right to review the audio record and written record of the hearing in the presence of two representatives of the Honor Council. If valid proof is submitted by the witnesses that the person has violated the Honor Code, that person may be subject to suspension or dismissal from the University.
There are two types of Honor Code Hearings: a Full Hearing and a Sanctioning Hearing. A Full Hearing is held when an accused student denies responsibility for the violation. A Sanctioning Hearing takes place when the student accepts responsibility for the violation. All hearings are closed, confidential, and recorded. Attorneys are not permitted in the hearing room. A Full Hearing is held before five Honor Council members. A co-chair presides over the hearing. Each party will provide testimony and each party and the accused student may also make a closing statement. Sufficient evidence to demonstrate a breach of the Honor Code is based on a preponderance of evidence standard.
Each of the five students on the Hearing Council will cast one vote by secret ballot and the decision is carried by majority vote. Sanctions can include deferred Academic Suspension and Honor Probation which can last up to one year. In the event of a serious offense or prior offense, the Hearing Council may recommend suspension or dismissal. The Dean of Undergraduate Students reviews the recommendation and then notifies the student of the Dean’s decision, which is final.
An Honor Code appeal may be made if the right to a fair hearing has been violated. All appeals must be submitted to the Dean within four business days from the receipt of notification of sanctions. The Dean will review all appeals and decide no later than 20 business days later. The decision of the Dean is final, and no further appeal may be made.
Disciplinary Misconduct
At Loyola University, a violation of student conduct that is not academic is referred to as a violation of the student Conduct Process. The oversight of student conduct is the Office of Student Conduct and the Office of Residence, Life & Housing. The Hearing officers for student conduct hearings are the Vice President for Student Development, the Dean of Students, and the Director of Student Conduct. The Assistant Director of Student Conduct adjudicates cases and advises the Peer Conduct Board as does the Associate Director of Residence Life & Housing.
Disciplinary Conduct Procedures
The review of student conduct begins with a complaint filed by any member of the Loyola community. After receiving a report, the University investigates and the Director of Student Conduct reviews it for violations of the Code of Conduct. A student is then notified of a possible violation and a subsequent hearing. There are several options for violations. A minor violation may be referred to an educational conference. If the incident is beyond conference level, then the Director of Student Conduct can refer it to an administrative hearing, an administrative panel hearing or a Peer Conduct Board hearing.
Panel members are chosen from University and Student Development faculty, staff, and administrators who are trained to hear cases. If a student, after discussion with a hearing officer, does not accept responsibility for violations, then a further hearing will be held, usually a more formal administrative hearing. A preponderance of the evidence standard is used at all hearings. A Peer Conduct Board review will be used for residence hall violations. Students are not permitted to bring attorneys into hearings except in sexual misconduct cases.
An appeal by the student must allege either new evidence, grossly disproportionate sanctions, or procedural irregularities.
A modified hearing board or the Vice President for Student Development may hear an appeal from a hearing decision. The hearing officer can affirm or reverse the decision and notify the student within five business days of the hearing.
Sexual Misconduct
The procedures for sex-based harassment and discrimination cases are mentioned in Section 6 of Loyola’s Community Standards and their Title IX website. The Office of Student Conduct, along with the Title IX Deputy for Students, reviews sexual and gender-based misconduct reports.
All hearings are under the Office of Title IX. These special procedures will always involve a Title IX coordinator/compliance officer. These hearings are quite formal and sanctions may range from a warning to student expulsion. An attorney may be present as an advisor at the hearing. The procedure for a Title IX appeal is also outlined by Loyola.
Get Help Today From LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team
An allegation of misconduct can seriously threaten your goal of medical school. Let LLF National Law Firm’s Student Defense Team stand by you and guide you through the complexities of a misconduct charge. Contact LLF National Law Firm Student Defense Team today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.