The Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine (MUSC) is the oldest medical school in the South. With its commitment to training future physicians who can provide patient-centered, evidence-based health care to their communities, it's no wonder students are expected to uphold certain academic and professional standards. And when students are unable to uphold these standards, MUSC is quick to hold them accountable, which can sometimes result in a dismissal from the program.
Often, when students are notified of disciplinary or academic progression hearings, they decide to defend themselves. But providing a strong defense is a complicated process that requires not only a keen attention to detail but a significant amount of experience in student defense. Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team and medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento can help. Call today.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
MUSC College of Medicine enrolls about 172 students each year from diverse backgrounds. Like most medical schools, their reputation is of utmost importance to them. When students are accused of violating their professional or academic benchmarks, it can have a negative impact on the school's reputation and, thus, their future enrollment and funding abilities. To mitigate such negative consequences, medical schools will dismiss the problem student. And sometimes, students are dismissed without any real evidence to support the claims against them. It's important to have an attorney-advisor present at every step to ensure the school does not discipline you unnecessarily.
Normally, medical students at MUSC are dismissed because of:
- Violating the Honor Code – either committing plagiarism, cheating, completing individual work as a group without permission, or submitting the same work for credit to more than one class.
- Disrespectful or inappropriate verbal communication.
- Disrespectful behavior towards other students, faculty, and staff.
- Missing too many classes without permission.
- Falsifying medical records.
- Using social media or cell phones inappropriately.
- Not understanding the needs, feelings, or wishes of others.
- Disrupting the learning environment.
- Engaging in illegal behavior, including violating patient confidentiality laws and HIPAA.
- Having an inappropriate relationship with patients, teachers, residents, or faculty.
- Being defensive in the face of constructive criticism.
- Being unable to work as part of a healthcare team.
- Failing to maintain a satisfactory GPA.
- Failing more than one class in a semester.
- Failing to pass the USMLE Steps more than the allowable occurrences.
- Assaulting or battering someone.
- Title IX or sexual misconduct.
- Performing medical treatments without supervision or permission.
Medical student defense attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team have a breadth of knowledge when it comes to student defenses. They will use that experience to not only strategize a strong defense but also to negotiate with the Office of General Counsel prior to and after your hearing.
Adjudication Process at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine
At MUSC College of Medicine, the office that oversees your adjudication process will depend on the nature of the claim. For instance, if you've been accused of a conduct violation, the Office of Student Affairs will oversee it. But if you are under review for an academic progression issue, the Student Progress Committee (SPC) will manage it.
All students, faculty, and university and hospital staff are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs to report conduct violations. The Associate Dean for Student Affairs will forward the complaint to the EDAS Council, who will conduct a preliminary investigation. If they determine that there is enough evidence to support the claim that the student violated the conduct standards, they will notify the accused student of their decision, which will include a determination on an appropriate type of sanction. Sanctions may range from a written letter of reprimand to suspension or expulsion.
In academic progression matters, the SPC will review your file and decide if you are showing signs of having a difficult time progressing through the program. For instance, if you have failed a class or clerkship or if you've received an incomplete in a clinical rotation, you will be unable to maintain good academic standing. When students cannot maintain good academic standing, the SPC will decide if a remediation plan is appropriate (to allow you to retake the assignment, exam, clerkship, or course and rejoin your cohort in the next year) or if you should be dismissed from the program.
Appeals Process
In either situation, students have every right to appeal the decision of the hearing body. If the EDAS Council decides to dismiss you from the program because of a conduct violation, you can file an appeal with the Dean. And for academic progression decision appeals, students have seven calendar days from the date they received the decision to submit their appeal. These appeals must also be made to the Dean. In both cases, the Dean will review the SPC's and EDAS Council's decisions, gather additional information, and determine whether to uphold the decision, amend it, or reject it.
Whatever the Dean decides, it is final and cannot be appealed further. It is important, though, that you pursue an appeal no matter what. Appeals are the last chance you have to continue chasing your dream of becoming a doctor.
How A Medical Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
When facing disciplinary actions or academic progression meetings, it can be very overwhelming, especially when you are juggling classwork, exams, and relationships. Medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team understand how much you have on your plate and will not only make sure you are well-prepared come hearing day but also that the university upholds your due process rights. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
