Enrollment in Wesleyan University's (WU) pre-med program is prestigious. Likely, you dedicated countless hours studying and preparing for the SAT to earn your spot in the WU pre-med program. While others may have spent more time on their social lives, you dedicated yourself to getting into a top pre-med program with the hopes of getting into one of the country's best medical schools. While being in the pre-med program is an accomplishment in itself, the pressure you are feeling now may be higher than ever. Wesleyan University's pre-med program is rigorous, time-consuming, and competitive – with all those stressors, on top of being a young person navigating the adult world on your own for the first time, troubles can arise.
If you are facing disciplinary action, don't let your status in WU's pre-med program be threatened. At the Lento Law Firm, we believe that whether you are innocent or have made a mistake, your life shouldn't be derailed over one incident. Our Student Defense Team has successfully advocated for pre-med students facing disciplinary action and gotten them back on track to excel in their programs. Learn more about how we can help you by calling us at 888-535-3686 or contacting us online.
Issues Wesleyan University Pre-Med Students May Face
There are numerous issues WU pre-med students can face, both academic and non-academic. Wesleyan University students are bound by two main policies: the Honor Code and the Code of Non-Academic Conduct. The Honor addresses all academic misconduct, while the Code of Non-Academic Conduct details standards of behavior outside of the classroom. Common issues our Student Defense Team sees pre-med students dealing with include:
Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct generally involves Honor Code violations. These issues are related to your coursework, not just any incident occurring in the classroom. Academic misconduct includes:
- 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 is a federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination on college campuses. You may not remember the Title IX training you were required to take when you started at WU, but essentially, they aim to prevent and address sexual misconduct. Title IX violations are taken incredibly seriously. Common Title IX violations include:
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Stalking
- Making sexually suggestive jokes or comments
- Physical and/or aggressive sexual advances
- Revenge porn
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Gender-based bullying
Code of Conduct Violations
Code of conduct violations occur when you participate in any behavior explicitly or implicitly prohibited in the WU Code of Non-Academic Conduct. This can be anything from keeping a pet in your dorm room to breaking the law. Other examples of code of conduct violations include:
- Drug and alcohol violations
- Destruction of property
- Bullying or cyberbullying
- Assault
- Stalking
- Theft
- Hazing
- Gambling and sports betting
- Weapons possession
Regardless of the nature of your misconduct, you must take it seriously because it can have severe consequences on your ability to apply to and be accepted to a credible medical school.
Wesleyan University Policies on Misconduct
Wesleyan University is unique for many reasons, which is why you selected it for your pre-med program, but one particularly unique aspect is how it approaches disciplinary action. The University believes that students should always understand what to expect when they are accused of, or subsequently found guilty, of misconduct. It does this through a point system, assigning values. A few examples of the point value system from the Code of Non-Academic Conduct are:
- Underage possession or consumption of alcohol anywhere on university property or at university-sponsored events = 1-3 points
- Personal possession or use of operable firearms, air guns, or other weapons is prohibited on the Wesleyan campus or while participating in university activities = 4-10 points
- Sexual misconduct, including, but not limited to, sexual assault, sexual exploitation, stalking, and retaliation, is prohibited = 5-10 points
The school's website explains what the points can look like in practice, stating, for example:
- 1–4 total accumulated points will result in a student receiving a “disciplinary warning.”
- 5–9 total accumulated points at any time will result in a student being on “disciplinary probation.”
- Ten or more accumulated points will result in a separation of the student from WU through either suspension or dismissal
These examples can be taken in conjunction with other disciplinary actions.
Wesleyan University Pre-Med Student Disciplinary Action Process
Both academic and non-academic misconduct allegations at WU are handled by its Community Standards Board (CSB). Every case that is submitted to the CSB should go through the formal disciplinary action process, but the CSB has the authority to pursue a less formal one with permission from the Dean of Students and The Student Life Committee. These less formal options are available only when less serious disciplinary actions are being considered, such as warnings, probation, community service, and fines. Alternatives to the formal process include:
- A judicial conference
- Meeting with an administrative panel
- Simplified hearing
- Mediation
When a case reaches CSB and goes through the formal disciplinary process, a hearing will be scheduled for it to hear the case. If you are accused of misconduct, you will receive a notification of the charges and will be required to respond. Failing to respond is a bad idea; it won't make the problem disappear and can result in you waiving the right to defend yourself. The notice will explain how you can respond, when your hearing is scheduled, and how it will work. As soon as you receive notice, call the Lento Law Firm. Even if you are innocent, you need to be thoroughly prepped; you cannot guarantee the CSB will give you the benefit of the doubt.
Community Standards Board hearings will generally look like this:
- You will be informed of the allegations against you, and you will respond with whether you are responsible or not responsible
- The complainant will make opening statements, present the evidence against you, call witnesses, and share their recollection of the vents
- You will make your opening statements, present evidence, call witnesses, and share your side of the story
- The CSB will ask questions to both parties and hear their responses
- Both parties will make closing statements
Following the hearing, CSB will make a recommendation for disciplinary action; this recommendation must be approved by the Dean of Students. Possible disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in community service
- Participation in educational programs
- Disciplinary warning
- Restrictions on WU activities
- Restitution
- Disciplinary probation
- Deferred suspension
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Protect Your Future Medical Career Today by Retaining the Lento Law Firm
Being accused of misconduct in your pre-med program can be scary. It may feel like WU and other students are against you, but the Lento Law Firm protects your due process rights and future. Whether your allegation is related to academic misconduct, Title IX, or anything else, our Student Defense Team has represented a pre-med student in a similar situation. Let us fight for you; call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
