As a pre-med student at the University of San Francisco (USF), you are under great pressure to excel academically. Top grades and a spotless record are the only way to ensure a spot at a top medical school. However, the stress of being a pre-med student can be too much, and sometimes, in response, pre-med students make poor judgment calls.
The Lento Law Firm understands your extreme academic stress, and we believe your academics shouldn't be derailed over one mistake. Our Student Defense Team works tirelessly to protect our pre-med student clients' due process rights and futures. Let us get your academic career back on track so you can devote your entire focus to your medical school goal. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
Common Issues University of San Francisco Pre-Med Students May Face
In addition to the typical college drama, unfortunately, there are serious issues pre-med students can come up against that can send their academic and professional careers off-course. There are three broad types of misconduct that can get you into trouble at USF:
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct is particularly common in pre-med students who struggle to juggle the extreme caseload. Common academic misconduct our Student Defense Team sees among pre-med students include:
- Plagiarism
- Unauthorized use of AI or use of deceitful educational software
- Unauthorized collaboration with other students
- Cheating
- Self-plagiarism (i.e., reusing exams or assignments)
- Falsifying data or research
- False citations
- Impersonation
- Bribery
Title IX Violations
Title IX violations are sexual misconduct. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination; what this looks like in practice is that a federal law is controlling how your school prevents and handles sexual misconduct. Behaviors that fall under the Title IX category include:
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Physical and/or aggressive sexual advances
- Revenge porn
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Gender-based bullying
Code of Conduct Violations and Non-Academic Misconduct
USF's Student Conduct Code outlines what behaviors the university will not tolerate from its students. Code of conduct violations at USF include, but are not limited to:
- Hazing
- Harassment
- Fraudulent behavior
- Theft
- Illegal drug and alcohol use
- Property damage
- Weapons possession
USF students can also face allegations of non-academic misconduct for disruptive class behavior. While students have a right to free speech, USF can take disciplinary action against students whose participation in class is inappropriate. For example, a professor can request USF take disciplinary action against a student who:
- Talks continuously through class
- Continuously disrupts the class with unnecessary comments
- Becomes belligerent or argumentative when you attempt to address their disruptive behavior
University of San Francisco Pre-Med Student Disciplinary Action Process
The nature of the allegations determines which office will address them and how. As discussed above, there are three types of misconduct, each handled by different USF offices.
Academic Misconduct
The Academic Integrity Committee is responsible for handling all academic misconduct actions. When the Committee receives a referral, it reviews the facts of the case and opens an initial investigation. You and any relevant parties will be interviewed, and you will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
The Committee will then make a decision as to whether or not you are guilty. If they believe you have committed misconduct, you will need to either accept or fight the charges. Fighting the charges requires an appeal; you have only one week from receiving notice of the Committee's decision to file an appeal. When you appeal, a hearing will be scheduled where you and the Committee will present their sides of the case with evidence, witnesses, or other materials to bolster their case.
Title IX Violations
Title IX violations are handled separately from all other types of misconduct and are handled in accordance with federal law. Sexual misconduct cases begin with the assignment of a Title IX Coordinator, who will make an initial assessment and determine if interim measures should be set in place. They will then decide whether to attempt to resolve the case through informal or formal action. Informal action will include both parties working together to resolve the issue. If both parties cannot agree on an outcome, the Title IX Coordinator must proceed with a formal action.
The Title IX Coordinator is tasked with conducting a thorough investigation, which includes interviewing both parties and witnesses and collecting relevant evidence or documentation. When an investigation is opened, both parties will be notified.
In some cases, the Title IX Coordinator will proceed with a hearing, which will be conducted before a Live Hearing Panel. The hearing works a bit like a trial where both parties can make opening statements, present their case with witnesses and evidence, and make closing statements.
If you have already gone through the Title IX hearing process and are unhappy with the outcome, you may be able to appeal your case. When you retain our Student Defense Team, we will walk you through all your options. We frequently get better outcomes for our student clients on appeal.
Non-Academic Misconduct
Non-academic misconduct cases are handled by USF's Office of Student Conduct, Rights and Responsibilities and staff from other appropriate offices (such as the Division of Student Life). They will first decide if any interim actions are necessary; in severe cases, they may implement an interim suspension or housing relocation or temporarily withhold your degree.
The designated personnel will open an investigation and notify you of the allegations and the date and time of an informal meeting. The purpose of the meeting is for you to speak with the resolution staff and find an acceptable resolution. If a resolution isn't possible at the informal meeting, a conduct meeting will be scheduled. A conduct meeting is like a hearing; you can defend yourself, present your case, and put forth evidence and witnesses. The resolution staff will notify you of their decision within five business days of the conduct meeting.
Determinations
There are many disciplinary actions the various SFU disciplinary bodies may take if you are found guilty of misconduct. Outcomes vary greatly depending on the nature and the severity of misconduct; their determinations can include:
- Warning
- Behavioral assessment
- Community service
- Reflection or research papers
- Deferred outcomes
- Drug or alcohol testing
- Disciplinary probation
- Fines
- Restitution
- Notice of violation to others such as intercollegiate programs, student leadership, and ROTC
- Exclusions from student activities
- University housing relocation
- University housing probation
- University housing pre-removal (notice that an additional violation will result in removal from university housing)
- University housing suspension
- University housing expulsion
- University academic probation
- University academic suspension University academic expulsion
- Ineligibility for graduation
- Revocation of admission and/or degree
- Withholding degree
Protect Your Future by Retaining the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team
Don't let a mistake or miscommunication threaten your chances at medical school. Have the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team fight for you. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
