There's no doubt that being a pre-med student is challenging. Especially if you're pre-med at a prominent and highly regarded school such as Reed College. You're held to rigorous academic and behavioral standards – standards that will hold you in good stead for your future medical career.
Should Reed College have reason to believe that you have violated its academic, behavioral, or even sexual misconduct codes, you could face significant penalties, including suspension or dismissal from the program. Any disciplinary actioncould jeopardize your entire professional future, and in the worst-case scenario, you could be prevented from entering the medical profession at all.
Given the possible consequences of misconduct issues, all misconduct allegations should be addressed as quickly – and effectively – as possible. To get the advice and support you need to handle behavioral or academic misconduct accusations at Reed College, tell the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team about your case online or call us at 888.535.3686 now.
Misconduct at Reed College
Reed College's rules around misconduct and how allegations of misconduct are managed are simple. School-wide policies, such as the academic policy and harassment policy, are readily available, and the school's mission statement is clear: students are expected to pursue the highest levels of intellectual standards.
Pre-med students, alongside the wider student body, must take responsibility for their own learning, progress, and development. But should you face allegations of wrongdoing or misconduct, the accusations will fall into one of three categories: academic, behavioral, or sexual misconduct.
Academic Misconduct
Reed College holds students to exceptionally high academic standards. Misconduct, such as plagiarism, cheating, receiving aid during examinations, and misrepresentation, goes against the school's standards of scholarship and could be punished severely.
Behavioral Misconduct
Behavioral or disciplinary misconduct relates to your behavior beyond the classroom. Examples of behavioral misconduct are hazing, trespassing, and underage drinking.
Reed College pre-med students are advised to consider how their actions may affect others, whether it's those in their dorm or the wider community. Thinking about the impact your actions will have on others is an important habit to adopt as a pre-med student, given the role you will play in the community someday.
Sexual Misconduct
All forms of sexual harassment or sex-based discrimination are prohibited at Reed College. The school takes its obligations to comply with Title IX, a federal law, seriously, and its Title IX Sex-Based Harassment & Discrimination Policy reflects this.
Misconduct Procedures
At Reed College, students and faculty are expected to work closely together – almost in partnership. As such, pre-med students should receive clear and prompt notification of any misconduct accusations so they have appropriate time to prepare and consult the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team.
The school has various rules and regulations which affect pre-med students. Although there are too many to cover in detail here, the main rights you have – and the procedures that apply to code of conduct issues – are as follows.
Your Rights as a Reed College Pre-Med Student
Pre-med students at Reed College have various procedural rights, including the following.
- The presumption of innocence, unless a case is proven against you.
- Fair and clear notice of the facts as alleged, as well as the evidence that allegedly supports the accusations.
- An opportunity to consult with an advisor who can explain your rights and options for proceeding, as well as the pros and cons of any course of action.
- A fair and impartial hearing with a reasonable opportunity to present your own side of the story.
- The right to appeal any disciplinary action, whether it is based on a procedural error, a failure to consider the full facts, or it is simply a disproportionate punishment.
Reed College Investigatory and Judicial Process
At Reed College, the investigatory process for misconduct issues is straightforward.
- You will receive written – or at least formal – notification of the accusations against you. An honor case will be filed with the Student Judicial Board.
- You will have the opportunity to review the facts as alleged. It may be possible to mediate a solution, especially for less serious misconduct allegations.
- Should the accusations be entirely untrue or exaggerated, or if the facts are incorrect, you may proceed to a more formal hearing before the Board. Your attorney can explain if this is an appropriate way forward for your case.
- A case must be proven against you on the “preponderance of the evidence,” which means it's more likely that the allegations are true than untrue. This is lower than a “beyond reasonable doubt” standard of proof.
- For minor incidents, a report will be filed, but it's possible that no disciplinary action will be taken. For more serious violations or repeat incidents, sanctions include probation, suspension, and even dismissal from the program.
The best way forward with any academic or behavioral misconduct issue is to have the accusations dismissed at the earliest opportunity. Prompt intervention from the Lento Law Firm may help you present the most compelling case in your favor from the outset.
Fight for Your Professional and Academic Future
As a Reed College pre-med student, you are obliged to uphold certain standards of behavioral, academic, and ethical conduct. However, you also have rights that must be upheld. And that's where the Lento Law Firm can help. We have represented numerous pre-med students across the US who, like you, have found themselves on the wrong side of a college disciplinary board. We know what it takes to negotiate and liaise with school officials, and we will do everything possible to use our knowledge of school administrative procedures to secure the best outcome in your situation.
Your future in medicine is too precious to risk. Do not leave any part of your defense to chance. Respond to misconduct allegations at Reed College with confidence – call 888.535.3686 or email the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team to secure the representation you deserve.
