Your college years can be a challenging time academically, especially at an elite institution like Saint Mary's College. If you're a pre-med student, you probably hold yourself to even higher standards. You have to take tougher classes and get better grades than most students because you want to get into medical school. You also have to make sure your resume is well-rounded so you spend what little free time you have on extracurriculars. You put yourself through these four rigorous years of undergraduate study because you have a passion for helping others and making the world a better place.
Saint Mary's doesn't care about the intensity of your workload when it comes to misconduct, however. You still have to follow all the same rules and disciplinary procedures as other students and can face the same potential sanctions. Medical schools take undergraduate student conduct very seriously, so you have to be extra careful about avoiding trouble.
What should you do if you suspect you might be getting into disciplinary trouble at Saint Mary's? You should call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We've represented students all over the country, defending them during disciplinary procedures and protecting their rights. We've handled a wide range of cases, so we know what to expect and how to defend you. Call 888-535-3686 to learn how we can help you defend a misconduct charge as a premed student. You can also take a few minutes to fill out our form to tell us about your situation.
Misconduct Policies at St. Mary's College
What types of actions can land you in trouble at Saint Mary's? The list of conduct violations is long so we won't put every single one here. However, we can break it down into three main categories of offenses:
- Academic Misconduct: Academic integrity is a top priority at all colleges, and Saint Mary's is no exception. The university's Academic Honor Code specifically prohibits cheating and plagiarism, but any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in your coursework constitutes a violation.
- Disciplinary Misconduct: As a member of the Saint Mary's community, you're expected to follow rules regarding general campus behavior. The Student Code of Conduct addresses issues such as drug possession, theft, violence, and disorderly conduct.
- Sexual Misconduct: Under Title IX, colleges are required to rigorously address sexual discrimination and harassment. This behavior includes verbal harassment as well as more serious offenses like stalking, dating violence, and sexual assault.
The severity of offenses at Saint Mary's varies, with penalties adjusted accordingly. For example, date rape carries far harsher consequences than neglecting to properly cite a source in a freshman composition paper. However, for a pre-med student, even seemingly minor infractions—like a warning for cheating—can have significant repercussions, especially if they appear on your permanent record and impact your medical school applications.
If you're facing allegations, it's essential to act decisively and thoroughly. This includes understanding the specifics of the charges, familiarizing yourself with Saint Mary's judicial process, and securing top-tier support. The attorneys at the Lento Law Firm are here to help you protect your academic future and give you the best chance at moving forward successfully.
What Happens if You're Accused of Misconduct?
Knowing the rules is a good first step in protecting yourself, but it's equally important to know the college's disciplinary process. Here's an overview:
- Accusations: Anyone—including faculty, administrators, students, or staff—can accuse you of misconduct. It doesn't have to be someone within the Saint Mary's community. However, the Dean of Students will only pursue formal action if the allegations are deemed credible and actionable.
- Formal Charges: If the college decides to formally charge you with misconduct, you'll receive an email notice. This email should include a time and date for you to meet with the Dean of Students or their designee to discuss the procedures and potential solutions.
- Resolution Pathways: The Dean of Students will decide if there should be an alternative conflict resolution (such as mediation or restorative practices), an agreed resolution, or a hearing. Before there can be an agreed resolution or hearing, there must be an investigation.
- Investigation: The process typically involves an investigation, during which investigators will interview all relevant parties separately, collect physical evidence, and gather witness testimony. Investigators will compile a written report summarizing their findings. This report becomes the foundation for the subsequent hearing or agreed solution.
- Hearing: One or more decision-makers will preside over the hearing. Both sides will have the opportunity to present their cases, introduce evidence, and call witnesses.
- Decision Standard: Decision-makers use a "preponderance of the evidence" standard, meaning they must be at least 51% convinced of your responsibility to find you guilty.
- Appeal: You have the right to appeal the decision under specific circumstances, such as the discovery of new evidence, procedural errors, or unfair treatment during the process. If you choose an alternative conflict resolution process, however, you waive your right to appeal.
Saint Mary's allows you to have an advisor of your choosing present in the room with you during all disciplinary proceedings. You can confer privately with your attorney, but they cannot address the school's representatives on your behalf.
The Lento Law Firm can provide invaluable support by helping you build a strong defense, gathering evidence, preparing questions for witnesses, coaching you on your presentation, drafting appeals, and guiding you during disciplinary meetings. We also ensure that your due process rights are upheld throughout the proceedings.
Protecting Your Academic Future
Facing a misconduct charge is a challenging experience for any student. As a pre-med student, the stakes are even higher. In addition to navigating the intricacies of the Saint Mary's disciplinary system, you must consider the potential long-term impact on your permanent record. Even if cleared of any wrongdoing, you still might have concerns about who might learn of the allegations and how they could affect med school recommendation letters. On top of that, protecting your reputation online and managing your social media presence adds another layer of stress. Handling all of this on your own can feel overwhelming.
That's why it's crucial to reach out to the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team at the first sign of trouble. Whether it involves negotiating with faculty and administrators or aggressively defending your rights, we're here to support you.
Take control of your academic future. Contact us today at 888-535-3686 or complete our online form to get started.
