Professionalism Violation

[SomeDanGuy]

I haven't been posting much, but I've been reading occassionally. Originally that was only because school has gotten pretty darn busy. But this last week has developed into a whole new issue.

So the Friday before Labor Day I heard about some self-study thing we were supposed to do that was ONLY available on the lab computers at school where it had just been installed. When I looked at it I saw it was just HTML and some images so I thought that was sort of odd since the school is usually pretty good about posting stuff online through their password-protected website. Well anyway I know people were complaining about having to come into school to do it so I figured I'd just email the folder to the class so people could do it from home. I was thanked by many people for this.

But........copyright violation. I don't really know anything about this area but I figured that I was only sending it to people who had access to it anyway through the same login and password they use for email. (Also this was supposedly a 'student only' list I sent it to.) Well, I got a 'professionalism violation' citation for this. Which would be fine by itself. But the guy citing me has been taking a lot of shit from our class this year due to a whole bunch of stuff he's done, so the situation is now that we hate him and so he hates us. And now he finally has someone from our class who has violated the rules and he is annnngggry. If he could make decisions on his own, he would have me dismissed from school entirely. He even really wanted to put me on forced academic leave until the committee meets to decide my fate, which would mean I'd have to re-take Micro next year. Fortunately, others talked him out of that. Now all I do is wait for the Sept 28 committee meeting where my case will be presented. I know some faculty members and I don't think anyone else is upset about this as this one guy is. After all, my only intention was to help the class, which I've done in the past. I didn't benefit from this in any way.

That's what's up with me. This has turned out far more serious than I ever could have imagined. I'm just glad that it's a group of people that decides these things instead of just one person, because this guy could completely alter the course of my life right now =( Once you're kicked out of a medical school, there's no way any other school would take you.

[Onyx]

Damn!

Here's hoping someone there has some common sense and can see that it was a simple oversight and you did not personally benefit from it.

[Guest Game of Chance]

Good luck, man.

[saechalyn]

Oh that is such bullshit. Good luck Dan, common sense is on your side.

[torn asunder]

positive vibes out, man...

[holliwood66]

Ack! What an awful stresser...hang in there.

There should be a process in place for re-evaluation in the event that this Tool tries to get you thrown out of med school (I know there is one at UofM anyway...sort of a burden of proofs that would be submited to department committee. I'd look into the process now just in case so you are prepared. )

[bean]

WTF is wrong with people? I hope this thing ends in your favor, good luck! :clover

[Msterbeau]

Always someone willingto screw up your life over nothing. :doh

Good luck at the meeting... :clover :clover :clover

[Homicidalheathen]

Here is sending posititve thoughts your way.....you so deserve.

[Lilith]

I am with ya dan, I have good vibes going your way. It seems so far from what you have posted htat it should all just work out. Be confident that it will, but keep your mind and options open by exploring what to do if it does not. It will however i am sure, if you have a good record already and this guy has done worng things himself i am sure in a group of people at leasst one will see it and be on your side.

Hugggggsssss

lilith

[The_Dark]

Here is hoping you only get a slap on the wrist and a talking to. For furture referance you might want to look into copyrights law... at least a primer. Doctors are all about Publish or Perish and you really dont want to get caught "stealing" someone elses work.

[Guest Game of Chance]

Not to add too much light to the situation, but when I read the name of the topic, I thought it was you that was violated. Professionally. :doh :laughing

[Msterbeau]

Not to add too much light to the situation, but when I read the name of the topic, I thought it was you that was violated.  Professionally.  :doh  :laughing

I think DollarDave is rubbing off on you..... So to speak. :laughing

[mallochai]

Holy Jebus, dude. :blink I hope you get to explain your side thoroughly. Good luck, and all that.

[dragoth]

That’s complete bull crap. What you did has is NOT copyright violation unless they have some custom policy that -explicitly- states what you did is wrong. If you only sent the content to other students taking the class, then there is no copyright violation because everyone has equal right to the content regardless of the viewed media. I would take them to court if they enforce any punishment on you on those grounds.

If you need any help in this issue, PM me.

[Marblez]

GAH. Yeah, this is really an icky situation. Sorry it is happening to you.

Question, did they tell you in the first place why you HAD to do it there? "Plausible denyability" is the term that comes to my mind. Can you say for certain that you did not know that what you were doing was wrong? Good.

If you were purposefully doing something illegal/unethical, would you have sent it to ALL of the students? To do so would be the move of an unintelligent person - and exactly how many unintelligent people do the allow to med school?

[Brenda Starrr]

Wow, Dan. I'm sorry that this is happening to you! That's just wrong.

[Marblez]

Yes, I am nosey and went snooping a bit on the WSU website. That IS your school, right? If not, oh well, I tried.

"Professional Behavior Deficiency Form" Is this what you were presented with? It does not appear to me to be within the jurisdiction of professionalism at all. The closest category for your error would be dishonesty. Can they really make a copyright issue fly as "dishonesty"?

Professional behavior Deficiency Form

4. Dishonesty. Examples include but are not limited to:

a. The student misrepresents or falsifies data in, eg., medical records or on

attendance sheets.

b. Academic misconduct, eg., plagiarism in the research laboratory or

classroom, or cheating on examinations.

c. Dishonest answers to patients’ questions regarding their illness and

treatment.

d. Theft

Even if they do decide that it is a violation, surely this is not such an agregious violation - SO, I have good news!!!

THE PROFESSIONALISM CURRICULUM:

PROFESSIONAL VALUES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE MEDICAL STUDENTS

It has been the School of Medicine’s experience that unprofessional behavior of such severity to warrant dismissal from medical school is rare.

Instead of professionalism, It seems more appropriate as a violation of the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources policy.

WSU POLICY: 00-1 Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources

3.3 The following behaviors are prohibited while using University information technology resources, including computers and networks owned or operated by Wayne State University, or to which Wayne State University is connected:

♦ Modifying system or network facilities, or attempting to crash systems or networks;

♦ Using, duplicating or transmitting copyrighted material without first obtaining the owner's permission, in any way that may reasonably be expected to constitute an infringement, or that exceeds the scope of a license, or violates other contracts

........................................

4.3 All users are expected to conduct themselves consistent with these responsibilities. Abuse of computing privileges may subject the user to disciplinary action as established by applicable University policies.

♦ Students who violate this policy may be subject to discipline pursuant to the Student Due Process Policy, Wayne State University Code Annotated.

And if they do decide to take it there, then still I have good news for you!!!

WSU POLICY: Student Due Process Policy

1.5 The Office of the Ombudsman is available to advise students at any stage in the proceedings provided for in this policy. To assure that students are aware of that availability, whenever charges are initiated against a student or student group or organization, the Judicial Officer will provide the student (or representative of the group or organization) with a copy of a memorandum prepared by the Ombudsman explaining the Ombudsman’s role.

.................................

5.8 Among the factors which will be considered in the determination of what sanction is appropriate is whether there have been repeated or aggravated violations. Among the factors which may be considered in mitigation are (a) the conduct of the student during the disciplinary procedure: has s/he been straightforward, and taken responsibility for his/her acts; (b) the nature of the offense and the severity of any damage, injury, or harm resulting from it; and © the lack of past disciplinary record of the offender.

[dragoth]

Marblez, the world needs more people like you. Excellent research

[Marblez]

Marblez, the world needs more people like you. Excellent research

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

:blushing

[Marblez]

The world needs more doctors like SomeDanGuy - he speaks fluent english and I'll be he'll look good in a lab coat :grin.

[ZhukovCodeslinger]

I gave him some more info on copywrite law (Fair Use clause especially for education) and millenium copywrite law (fair use clause especially for education)

plus some ideas with which to force "their hands" and make them drop the accusations (of a felony license violation) or go to court!

(between that and Marblezs' e-diggng, i think dan has a good chance of getting out of this.

Zhuk

[SomeDanGuy]

Sorry I haven't returned to this thread; there haven't been any updates yet.

And yeah I talked to Zhukov last Saturday about Fair Use and a whole lot of other legal advice, which hopefully I won't be needing but thanks a lot for that.

Ha Marblez, you found the form I was given! It is indeed that first pdf file you linked to.

overall, I'm not terribly worried because I don't think anyone else thinks this is really all that big a deal. Probably it'll just be a 'professionalism citation' that stays completely internal so it won't be any big deal. If, however, they decide to refer me to the Promotions Committee, well....at that point I will bring up fair use and other legal angles that Zhukov will have to remind me off, and I also think there will be a class-wide revolt. I've seriously had at least a fourth of the class personally tell me they'd protest if anything bad came of this.

[Homicidalheathen]

I am sure everything will work out.....you so don't come across as a malicious person....and it isn't just the blonde hair...heh heh.

You have all these kids behind you ready to protest on your behalf.....thats awesome.

And we are rooting for you too....right folks?

[Reaper]

Hey man, if it comes right down to it, take'em to court....THE PEOPLE'S COURT!! hehe I'm sure they won't do much, if anything at all, to you.