In April of 2024, the Department of Education approved New Title IX rules, which are scheduled to take effect on August 1, 2024. Our firm is closely monitoring ongoing challenges to these new rules in court, and is working hard to provide you the most up-to-date information. Click here to learn about the current state of Title IX and how we can help if you are facing accusations.
Chamberlain University is a for-profit school dedicated to preparing students for careers in the nursing profession. The University comprises the College of Nursing, which presents an array of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral nursing programs, and the College of Health Professions, offering master's degrees in public health, physician's assistant studies, and social work. Chamberlain University also boasts a nationwide presence with campuses across the country, including its campus in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Potential Pitfalls of For-Profit Education and the Need for Legal Support
While it is true that for-profit educational bodies can deliver a high-quality education leading to promising careers, some may unfortunately resort to dubious practices related to their profit-oriented goals. This could potentially include skewing their student misconduct protocols to favor their financial interests, even to the point of unfair suspension or dismissal. (Bear in mind that if a school expels you, they keep the tuition money without having to complete your education.) If you are a nursing student at Chamberlain University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and find yourself facing misconduct allegations, it is vital to seek guidance from an education law attorney to ensure that the school upholds its own policies and procedures in handling your case. The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm possesses a wealth of experience in such scenarios, and we are committed to protecting your rights. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form.
Understanding Misconduct as Defined by Chamberlain University
The New Orleans campus of Chamberlain University abides by a university-wide Code of Conduct for students as described in the Student Handbook. These regulations are divided into three categories.
Academic Misconduct
The Student Handbook describes multiple forms of academic misconduct that could trigger disciplinary actions. These include:
- Copying: Obtaining information from another student to gain an advantage, sharing information with another student, or presenting someone else's work as your own.
- Plagiarism: The intentional or unintentional act of attributing someone else's work as your own.
- Collusion: Cooperation between students on assignments without the instructor's consent, including impersonation for exams, papers, or other student tasks.
- Record Alteration: Involves forging signatures or altering completed exams/assignments to misrepresent the original.
- Unauthorized Aids: Using unauthorized aids for assignments or examinations.
- Unauthorized Use of Proprietary Materials.
- Bribery: Offering bribes for undue academic advantage.
- Acts of Dishonesty: Falsifying facts for academic advantage or providing incorrect information in relation to assignments.
Professional Misconduct
Chamberlain University's Student Handbook delineates a Professional Conduct Policy, which outlines additional forms of misconduct that are not acceptable within the university community. These include:'
- Interference with university operations: This encompasses disruptions to teaching, research, administrative tasks, or any other university activities.
- Failure to comply with instructions during examinations.
- Aggressive behavior: Physical or verbal abuse, threats, or intimidation towards any university student, faculty, or staff member.
- Theft or damage to university property or possessions belonging to university students, faculty, or staff.
- Bullying and cyberbullying.
- Hazing.
- Inflammatory conduct: This involves making derogatory comments about a group or race, making provocative statements on personal, political, or religious beliefs, or using profane language.
- Gambling at university events or using university resources.
- Drug and alcohol violations: Unlawful possession, distribution, or sale of drugs, or selling/distributing alcohol in violation of school regulations.
Title IX Violations
Institutions receiving federal funding, like Chamberlain University, must comply with current Title IX federal regulations. These regulations cover various forms of sexual misconduct, all of which are prohibited by Chamberlain University's Title IX policy. Prohibited behavior includes:
- Sexual misconduct: Sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking.
- Quid-pro-quo harassment: Offering favors in exchange for sexual acts.
- Hostile environment: Engaging in unwelcome behavior that is severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive enough to obstruct equal access to education based on sex.
Chamberlain University Misconduct Procedures
To safeguard student rights, institutions must clearly define student misconduct and the process to address it, ensuring reliability and fairness. Here is an overview of Chamberlain University's approach to handling academic and professional misconduct, as well as Title IX violations.
- Academic Misconduct Procedures: Chamberlain University's policy empowers instructors to address academic misconduct by imposing penalties such as course failure. Severe cases may go to a Hearing Panel for assessment. If charged, students can attend a hearing, present evidence, and request an administrative review if found at fault.
- Professional Misconduct Procedures: A conduct administrator is assigned to investigate student professional misconduct complaints. If unresolved, it moves to a Professional Review Committee, operating like Hearing Panels for academic misconduct. The student can question witnesses and appeal an unfavorable decision.
- Title IX Procedures: Upon receiving a Title IX sexual misconduct complaint, colleges and universities must comply with current federal regulations to assess the alleged misconduct. A three-member Decision-Maker panel, selected by the Title IX coordinator, presides over the hearing. The panel applies a preponderance-of-the-evidence standard, and students have the right to appeal adverse decisions.
Sanctions for Misconduct at Chamberlain University
Chamberlain University maintains a stern stance against academic misconduct to preserve the integrity of its programs and degrees. The Student Handbook and Title IX policy of Chamberlain University delineate potential sanctions for misconduct, which include:
- Denial of admission;
- Revocation of admission;
- Issuance of a warning;
- Placement on probation;
- Loss of privileges;
- Imposition of fines and requirement of restitution;
- Mandating additional training;
- Imposing contact restrictions;
- Suspension from enrollment;
- Expulsion; and/or
- Revocation of degree.
How We Can Help
Encountering misconduct allegations can be an exceptionally stressful ordeal for any student. If you find yourself facing these accusations at Chamberlain University in New Orleans, Louisiana, you might feel overwhelmed due to a lack of time, knowledge, or resources to mount a robust defense. Without appropriate legal guidance, your rights may be infringed upon without your knowledge, and disciplinary actions could have long-term negative repercussions on your academic future as well as your nursing career.
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm offers vast nationwide experience in student defense cases similar to yours. University procedures provide protections for our team to scrutinize allegations, gather evidence, challenge the complainant, and appeal unfavorable findings against false charges. Even in situations where you cannot have an attorney represent you officially, we can provide clear guidance and employ skilled negotiations to resolve your case favorably.
Numerous college and university students across the nation have entrusted the Lento Law Firm Team to protect them against and overturn unfair academic misconduct allegations. Act promptly to secure your future. Reach out to us at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation or fill out our online form.
