The University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) College of Medicine is committed to training physicians that will deliver dramatic and lasting healthcare improvements to their communities. To achieve this goal, they prove their students with opportunities to learn from some of the leading medical professionals in the state. As an institution, they are dedicated to fostering honesty and accountability in their students. Thus, if a student violates one of the academic or professional standards set out, the university will hold them responsible, which might result in dismissal proceedings.
Sometimes students fail to appropriately prepare for such accountability proceedings and end up unsuccessful in their defense. Working with an attorney-advisor from the moment you learn of these accusations will not only better prepare you to defend yourself, but it will also ensure you the university upholds your due process rights. Call our offices today for help.
Common Reasons for Dismissal
UAMS College of Medicine accepts around 5% of the applications they receive. Despite this being higher than most other medical schools in the United States, they still require a high MCAT score and GPA for entrance. Additionally, when a student is accepted to their program, they must agree to abide by a particular set of rules and standards. If a student violates these rules and standards, they run the risk of being dismissed.
Generally, students are dismissed from the UAMS College of Medicine for the following reasons:
- Failing a course or multiple courses in one semester.
- Giving or receiving help on a quiz, exam, or individual class assignment.
- Plagiarism.
- Falsifying clinical reports or experimental results.
- Failing a clerkship or missing too many clerkship sessions.
- Failing a drug screening.
- Violating patient confidentiality.
- Putting patient information on social media.
- Abusing another student, faculty, or staff member, whether physically, emotionally, or sexually.
- Sexual harassment.
- Bullying.
- Discrimination.
This list is of course not exhaustive and there are times when medical students are accused of violating the rules and standards without any real evidence to support their conclusion. When this happens, the university needs to be held responsible. You should not have to worry about losing your dream of becoming a doctor because of a procedural or substantive error. Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Education Law Team can help protect you from unnecessary consequences by not only providing a comprehensive defense but by contacting the Office of General Counsel to negotiate on your behalf. Call our offices today.
Adjudication Process at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science College of Medicine
Medical students are given a copy of the UAMS College of Medicine Student Handbook at the beginning of each year. This handbook outlines the expectations the university has for the students and the procedures they will take if the students aren't able to meet them. If a student is unable to keep up with their class or clerkship work, they will be referred to the Promotions Committee. The Promotions Committee will review their case and the student's written statement and determine if the student should be dismissed from the program.
With cases that involve academic or behavioral misconduct accusations, the matter is referred to either the Promotions Committee or an Honor Council. The student will be notified of the date of the conference and any evidence or witness testimony being presented against them. While the student and their advisor can be present during the conference, they cannot ask questions. The Promotions Committee or the Honor Council will determine, based on the information collected, whether the student is responsible for the accused violation.
Appeals Process
If the Promotions Committee or the Honor Council – whether this is a progression issue or a matter involving academic or behavioral misconduct – decides to dismiss the student, the student has seven working days from the date they received the decision to appeal it. This appeal must be made in writing to the Chairman of the Promotions Committee or the President of the Honor Council and explain that either:
- There was a substantial mistake of fact;
- A fundamental misinterpretation of the official policies; or
- A significant procedural error occurred.
The Chairman or the President will review the appeal and determine whether the original matter should be reviewed again, or the sanctions modified, amended, or rejected completely. If they decide the matter should be reviewed once more, they will invite the student to participate in an appeal proceeding. During this proceeding, the student will have the ability to present their own witnesses and relevant evidence, as well as question the university's evidence and witness statements.
The Dean will review the recommendation of the Chairman or the President after this proceeding and decide whether to accept their recommendation, reverse it, or refer the matter back to the Committee or Council for further reconsideration. This decision is final and cannot be appealed further.
Some medical students decide not to appeal the original decision, which can have disastrous effects on their future. For instance, suspensions and dismissals are written on your transcript. If you are dismissed and try to apply to a new medical school to finish your training, or you are suspended and hope to find a fellowship after graduation, you will have to explain the reason behind the punishments to the new admissions board, which can make it hard to get admitted. Attorney-advisor Lento and the Lento Law Firm's Education Law Team can help protect your future. Don't throw in the towel just yet; they can help.
How an Experienced Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Can Help
You should be looking back on your years in medical school with awe and admiration, not dread and fear. Getting dismissed from a medical program will effectively stop your medical career before it even starts. Medical student defense attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Team have years of experience helping medical students across the country in similar situations Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
