The College of Nursing at the University of Illinois, Chicago, is among the premier nursing programs in the country. Graduating with a degree from a school like this one can set you up with a bright future. Graduating, though, is sometimes easier said than done.
Plenty of issues can and do derail nursing careers before they get started. A poor academic performance can jeopardize your chances of graduating. Your school also takes personal and professional misconduct extremely seriously. Even minor infractions can lead to investigations and hearings and become a black mark on your record.
If you're going to succeed at UIC College of Nursing, you need to be prepared. You need to know what to expect academically and what rules you're supposed to follow. You'll find information on these topics below. You'll also find information on how to get help when you're in trouble because fighting a university is no easy task.
The Lento Law Firm was founded to help students, and we're on your side no matter what issue you may be facing. To find out how we can help, contact us today at 888-535-3686 or fill out an online information form.
Meeting Nursing Standards at the University of Chicago, Illinois
The College of Nursing at the University of Chicago, Illinois, holds its students to the highest standards, and you can understand why. No one wants to worry about whether the nurse attending to them is qualified or not when they go in for treatment. As noted in the school catalog, for instance, you're required to earn at least a C in all of your general education and nursing courses. In addition, you must maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average. Anything below that number, and you can be placed on probation. Continue to struggle, and you could also face dismissal from the program.
The academic standing policy sometimes tempts students to bend the rules in an effort to stay about that 2.0 mark. However, academic misconduct can get you into just as much trouble as a low GPA. The Student Disciplinary Policy outlaws
- Cheating: The use of any unauthorized resource to complete your coursework
- Plagiarism: The attempt to pass another person's work off as your own without giving them due credit
- Fabrication: The invention of any materials as part of the completion of coursework
In fact, any action that might tend to give you an unfair advantage in earning your degree is expressly prohibited. Violations can earn you sanctions ranging from failure on the given assignment to failure in the course to suspension and outright dismissal.
Standards of Personal and Professional Behavior
Your behavior outside the classroom is under scrutiny at the College of Nursing as well. That same disciplinary policy that addresses academic misconduct also talks about non-academic types of misbehavior. You can be charged under this policy for things like
- Underage drinking
- Violence
- Weapons Possession
- Use or Possession of Illicit Drugs
- Misuse of University Property
- Theft
- Hazing
- Privacy Violations
In addition, like any college or university student, you are responsible for following federal Title IX guidelines regarding sexual harassment, which includes everything from simple verbal harassment, to stalking, dating violence, and rape. The law encourages schools to vigorously investigate all credible complaints, and the minimum punishment for students found Responsible for (guilty of) sexual misconduct is usually suspension.
Sanctions
The UIC College of Nursing doesn't prescribe specific penalties for specific misconduct violations. Instead, officials are supposed to take several factors into consideration, such as the specific nature of the violation, any prior offenses, the motivation behind the offense, and the impact of the offense on the university and others.
However, it does mandate a list of sanctions that can be applied. These include:
- Warning
- No-contact Directive
- Restitution
- Loss of Privileges
- University Probation
- Community Service
- Education Project
- Suspension
- Dismissal
- Withholding of Degree
- Revocation of Degree
Keep in mind, as well, that any Responsible (guilty) finding can have long-term consequences no matter the severity of the penalty. If a warning about academic misconduct finds its way onto your transcript, it can hurt your chances of getting into graduate school and even interfere with job applications.
Judicial Processes at the UIC College of Nursing
You always have the right to defend yourself from misconduct charges. How you go about doing that, though, may depend on several factors, including the particular type of offense and the severity of the offense.
- Academic Misconduct: Most instances of academic misconduct are handled in the context of the classroom. Your instructors have the authority to charge you with violations and to assign appropriate sanctions. However, should you commit multiple offenses, or if you should dispute your instructor's allegations, you have the right to make your case before a Student Conduct Hearing.
- Mutual Agreement Process: Minor disciplinary misconduct is sometimes handled through a Mutual Agreement Process if you're willing to accept responsibility for your actions and whatever sanction the Dean of Students decides is satisfactory. Again, however, if you dispute either of these elements, you can request a Student Conduct Hearing.
- Student Conduct Hearings: Finally, you always have the right to take your case to a Student Conduct Hearing, and all serious cases are handled this way. As part of this process, you are allowed to present arguments, submit evidence, and call witnesses to testify. Of course, the school or Complainant has the same right.
You also have the right to an advisor during Student Conduct Hearings, and this advisor can be an attorney. A Lento Law Firm attorney can help you with all aspects of your case, though, not just with what happens in the official hearing. A member of the firm's Student Defense Team can help you develop your defense, work with you to collect evidence, and even give you tips on negotiating with faculty.
Trust the Lento Law Firm to Handle Your Case
Whether you've been accused of sexual harassment or you're simply trying to avoid academic probation, the Lento Law Firm is here to help. We know the law. We also know the UIC College of Nursing system and how to use it to protect you. We've helped hundreds of students deal with all types of issues, from rape defenses to cheating scandals. We are always on your side, ready to fight for your rights, and determined to get you the best possible resolution to your case.
For more information, call us today at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
