The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine (Pitt) has been educating students to provide excellent patient-centered oral healthcare for more than 125 years. They are committed to expanding the boundaries of knowledge with the implementation of research and discovery while advocating for their students to serve a diverse population of patients. Pitt School of Dental Medicine has high hopes for its students, so it's no wonder that some students begin to collapse under the intense pressure. When overwhelm is so great, it can cause even the most ethical of individuals to act differently, which is why so many students are written up on code of conduct violations in dental school.
If you have been notified of a disciplinary action, a dismissal hearing, or a remediation meeting, an attorney-advisor can help. Call LLF Law Firm today.
University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Code of Conduct
Like most schools in the United States, Pitt School of Dental Medicine has a code of conduct they expect their students to maintain. The code extends to academic and professional behavior, such as:
- Refraining from hazing
- Not using illegal substances or possessing such substances for distribution
- Not engaging in disorderly or lewd conduct
- Maintaining patient confidentiality
- Treating patients, their families, colleagues, and instructors with respect and dignity
- Performing any type of retaliation that might be related to another incident
Additionally, Pitt dental students must maintain academic integrity and refrain from:
- Cheating: attempting to use, or successfully using, unauthorized materials on an exam, clinical, or other project
- Plagiarizing: using someone else's work or ideas as if they were your own
- Turning in a paper or assignment for more than one class without permission
- Copying someone else's work without permission and turning it in as if it were your own
Students accused of violating the code of conduct must have a solid defense to present during their disciplinary hearing. You should not attempt to attend this meeting without one as it could lead to being unnecessarily punished. An attorney-advisor can help prepare you.
Remediation at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
At Pitt School of Dental Medicine, student records are reviewed by the Student Promotions Committee (SPC) at the end of the academic year. The SPC checks to make sure students are progressing through the program appropriately. When they notice that a student is not progressing or is having a hard time passing their courses, they will refer them for some other action. Sometimes, students will be given the opportunity to remediate a course.
If you are given the opportunity to remediate the course, exam, or clinical you have done poorly in, you will be assigned additional work, asked to repeat the entire course, or required to repeat the entire academic year. You must receive a C or S grade in the remedial program to be allowed to continue to the next academic year.
For students who are unable to successfully remediate, the SPC will refer them for a dismissal hearing.
Dismissal Proceedings at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
Students may be dismissed at Pitt School of Dental Medicine for a number of reasons, including failed remediations, academic probation status that lasts for three consecutive semesters, or a cumulative GPA below 2.60 at the end of the first term, first year. If a student is referred for dismissal, they will have the opportunity to present a defense at the hearing.
Your dismissal defense needs to be well thought out and strategic, presenting evidence and witnesses to testify on your behalf. Once the dismissal hearing is over, the SPC will receive the testimony and facts behind the case and determine whether you should be dismissed from the program.
The Office of Academic Affairs will then notify the student of the SPC's decision and inform them of their right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made to the Dean within ten calendar days after receiving the decision notice.
Pitt School of Dental Medicine stipulates that students must make their appeals on a particular reason and should offer supporting statements to explain the grounds for the appeal. It is your responsibility to show by clear and convincing evidence that the burden of the suspension or dismissal was arbitrary and capricious or that the SPC didn't follow Pitt's policies when conducting the hearing.
The Dean will review the appeal and decide if the SPC's decision should be upheld or remanded for further review. If the idea of pursuing an appeal is overwhelming, reach out to our offices for help. Attorney-advisors will be able to review the original decision and help you craft a strategic appeal.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help With Dental Student Issues
Getting into graduate school is an incredible feat but staying on track for graduation is a whole other story. Dental school is competitive, with every student vying for top grades and any accolades that are offered. Some students begin to get overwhelmed with such high expectations and end up acting out in ways they normally would not. And certain punishments for such behavior, like suspension or dismissal, are noted on final transcripts. This means that if they decide to pursue their education elsewhere or attend a post-graduate fellowship, they will have to explain the incident to the new admissions committee. Punishments like these could seriously affect your ability to get into a new school, which is why it is so important to work with an attorney-advisor from the moment you learn of the issue.
The LLF Law Firm Student Defense Team has spent years helping dental students navigate such proceedings. They understand how to create strategic defenses that are sure to mitigate any unnecessary consequences you may have experienced otherwise. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule a consultation or visit us online.
