Blog

The Peril of Partying Professors

Posted by Joseph D. Lento | May 29, 2023 | 0 Comments

College is a time of exploration and learning. It's an opportunity for young adults to gain expertise in their chosen field – and also for them to build important professional and social skills.

As a professor charged with mentoring college students, you understand that it's important that graduates are able to engage socially with colleagues and clients. To that end, you may, like many of your peers before you, have invited your students to attend dinner parties or other social gatherings at your home. It's a way to provide a more casual setting for students, especially the most promising students, to learn, converse, and network with people who can help guide their careers in the future.

But what happens when your college or university takes issue with such gatherings?

High Profile Parties

In 2019, Yale Law Professor and “Tiger Mom,” Amy Chua, was reprimanded by the university for “drinking and socializing with her students outside of class.” As a consequence, she was removed from leading a small group of first-year students at the prestigious school, despite the fact that she denies any misconduct that took place.

The investigation into Chua's conduct was controversial. Many students appreciated the ability to socialize with high-profile attorneys, judges, and other legal experts who might help them get a job once they earned a degree. Others, generally the students who were not included on the invite list, felt it was inappropriate – and was giving already privileged students an additional leg up.

Chua is far from the only professor to be chastised by their institution for socializing with students. While some say any sort of partying with students is inappropriate, others argue it gives college learners the opportunity to learn important skills – and make the kind of connections that can help them as they continue along their career path.

Is It Misconduct?

If you have been accused of professional misconduct for hosting parties or other social gatherings for students, it's important you take the matter seriously. You likely signed a Code of Conduct when you started working for your college or university. If so, it outlined exactly what the institution expects of you when it comes to working with students – including policies governing socialization and fraternization.

But while there may not be any direct guidance on parties or social events, especially those meant to help your students gain those social and networking skills for their future careers, too often, the illusion of impropriety can lead the university to take a stand. Students who misunderstand the nature of these events – or, perhaps, feel left out of these sorts of social events may also make a complaint. In either case, it is important you address such allegations immediately – and you should engage experienced representation to help you deal with the complaint, the consequent investigation, and any potential fallout.

You've worked hard to get to where you are. If you are facing investigation or dismissal because of parties or other social events, Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team will fight for you every step of the way to make sure your reputation – and your career – are protected. Contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team to discuss your case at (888) 535-3686 or online today.

About the Author

Joseph D. Lento

"I pride myself on having heart and driving hard to get results!" Attorney Joseph D. Lento passionately fights for the futures of his clients nationwide. Attorney Lento and his team represent students and others in disciplinary cases and various other proceedings at colleges and universities across the United States. Attorney Lento has helped countless students, professors, and others in academia at more than a thousand colleges and universities across the United States, and when necessary, he and his team have sought justice on behalf of clients in courts across the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. In various capacities, the Lento Law FIrm Team can help you or your student address any school-related issue or concern anywhere in the United States.

Comments

There are no comments for this post. Be the first and Add your Comment below.

Leave a Comment

Comments have been disabled.

Contact Us Today!

If you, or your student, are facing any kind of disciplinary action, or other negative academic sanction, and are having feelings of uncertainty and anxiety for what the future may hold, contact the Lento Law Firm today, and let us help secure your academic career.

This website was created only for general information purposes. It is not intended to be construed as legal advice for any situation. Only a direct consultation with a licensed Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York attorney can provide you with formal legal counsel based on the unique details surrounding your situation. The pages on this website may contain links and contact information for third party organizations - the Lento Law Firm does not necessarily endorse these organizations nor the materials contained on their website. In Pennsylvania, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout Pennsylvania's 67 counties, including, but not limited to Philadelphia, Allegheny, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, and York County. In New Jersey, attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New Jersey's 21 counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren County, In New York, Attorney Joseph D. Lento represents clients throughout New York's 62 counties. Outside of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, unless attorney Joseph D. Lento is admitted pro hac vice if needed, his assistance may not constitute legal advice or the practice of law. The decision to hire an attorney in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania counties, New Jersey, New York, or nationwide should not be made solely on the strength of an advertisement. We invite you to contact the Lento Law Firm directly to inquire about our specific qualifications and experience. Communicating with the Lento Law Firm by email, phone, or fax does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Lento Law Firm will serve as your official legal counsel upon a formal agreement from both parties. Any information sent to the Lento Law Firm before an attorney-client relationship is made is done on a non-confidential basis.

Menu