Johns Hopkins School of Nursing is one of the best nursing schools in the country as well as in the world, and achieving acceptance is notoriously difficult.
After gaining acceptance to such a prestigious program, it is of paramount importance that you do everything possible to safeguard your future and protect your hard work. Unfortunately, any accusations of misconduct can put your degree progress in jeopardy. If you are facing such accusations, whether they are big or small, be sure to hire an experienced student defense team that can craft a strong defense to protect the trajectory of your career.
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team has many years of experience handling the range of situations that nursing students could face. This includes violations of student conduct, academic integrity, and sexual misconduct. If you find yourself in trouble at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, the Lento Law Firm's experienced education attorneys will fight tirelessly to protect your rights and secure your future.
Johns Hopkins University Student Conduct Code
The Johns Hopkins University Student Conduct Code encompasses all undergraduate and graduate students, including those enrolled in the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. The conduct code states that part of being a student entails responsibilities to support the school's education mission by refraining from prohibited conduct, including:
- Any illegal activities such as assault, theft, and arson
- The possession of weapons or fake IDs
- Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse
- The possession or sale of any controlled substance or alcohol if under the legal drinking age
Proceedings
Student conduct code violations lead to an initial inquiry by the university, whereby they will assign a conduct administrator to collect information and decide the best means of resolution. Following the initial inquiry, unless an agreed resolution is reached or a sanction of notification is imposed, the accused student will be subject to an administrative hearing or a conduct board hearing.
An agreed resolution is reached when the student meets with the conduct administrator and can successfully come to terms with the proposed sanction, thereby waiving the right to a formal hearing. An administrative hearing involves the conduct administrator meeting with the reporter and witnesses while also collecting relevant information. The student is presented with the right to respond, and from there a decision is made by the administrator. A conduct board hearing is a closed hearing composed of three student members and two faculty members who decide whether the student is responsible and what sanctions are necessary.
While each of these means of resolution varies in severity based on the violation, they all entitle the accused to the right to be accompanied by an advisor, to be notified of the allegations against them two business days prior to the proceedings, and to be advised of the appeals process. If a student is found to be in violation of the conduct code, the school can enforce one or more of the following sanctions:
- Formal Warning
- Educational Activity
- Restitution
- Denial of Privileges or Associations
- Probation
- Deferred Suspension
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Appeals
Students are given the right to an appeal within 5 business days of being notified of the outcome of their hearing. They can do so only on one of the following grounds:
- Any procedural errors that had the potential to change the sanctions
- Possible new information not presented at the time of the hearing
- Sanctions that are considered to be too excessive
These appeals must take the form of a written statement, and the school may respond by altering sanctions, creating a new panel, or upholding the original decision.
The School of Nursing Academic Integrity Policy
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing also enforces a policy of academic integrity, including the following violations:
- Cheating
- Plagiarism
- Forgery/Falsification/Lying
- Facilitating Academic Dishonesty
- Unfair Competition
- Failing to report alleged violation
- Failing to follow applicable policies, procedures, and rules
- Improper use of electronic devices
If a student is suspected of academic misconduct, the responsible faculty member will first contact the Associate Dean for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to identify if this is their first violation.
First violations are given the opportunity to be resolved by reaching an agreement with the student. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, or if this is a subsequent violation, the case will be presented to an Ethics Board Hearing.
Ethics Board Hearing
The Ethics Board consists of a chair appointed annually by the Dean and an Ethics Hearing Panel. This Board “endeavor[s] to convene within 10 working days of receiving the request for a hearing.” Only the student, the reporter, and any witnesses requested by the student are to be present during hearings. Following deliberation, the student will receive the decision in writing.
Depending on the outcome, students may be subject to the sanctions defined by the Student Conduct Code. Students facing Ethics Board Hearings also have the right to an appeal under the same guidelines as the Student Conduct Code.
Even minor sanctions can result in gaps on your transcript that require explanations to future employers and could possibly derail potential career paths. Although the policy states that legal representation is not allowed at the hearings, it is important to note that this does not mean you cannot have a student defense legal team. In fact, in order to achieve the best possible outcome for your case and your future, it is imperative that you have an experienced legal team crafting your defense.
How the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Can Help
The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can use its extensive knowledge of nursing student issues to help Maryland's future generation of nurses keep their dreams intact. Do not let a mistake or misunderstanding have long-term ramifications on your career. Hire a team that can fight relentlessly for your future. Retain the Lento Law Firm's experienced team today by calling 888.535.3686 or filling out this brief form.
