In Michigan, there are currently over 363,000 students attending a college, university or other postsecondary institution on a full-time basis. The leadership today in higher education is committed to maintaining their code of academic integrity and is intolerant of acts of academic dishonesty such as cheating. The student disciplinary process is conducted according to the school's written procedures. All parties are generally called to a hearing to review the allegations. Busy administrators may lose sight of an accused student's rights to due process. Students may potentially have harsh sanctions imposed such as suspension or even expulsion. Joseph D. Lento is a seasoned attorney in all areas of student disciplinary defense and is available to represent those at Michigan's colleges and universities.
Records of Misconduct
Educational institutions have a duty to maintain records and transcripts for all students. Often evidence such as actions of student misconduct can have some long-term consequences. For example, if you were to apply to another college or a graduate school program these records could lead to denials of admittance. This is a particularly relevant concern for those seeking entrance to law or medical schools that perform more comprehensive background checks.
Sanction Reviews
Those found to be in violation will face sanctions. Many schools allow the student to request that the severity of the sanctions be reconsidered. This sanction review process is not an appeals process; however, it may be incorporated into your appeal. A sanction review contends that the penalties imposed are disproportionate to the violation that occurred. Ordinarily, the student must present a written explanation of why the sanctions are excessive. Having legal counsel that is familiar with this area of practice will lead to more effective management of the overall appeals process and they may potentially negotiate more favorable sanctions on your behalf.
The Appeals Process: University of Michigan
Students must initiate the appeals process in writing through the Office of the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education. This appeal must be received in a “timely” manner following a ruling of academic misconduct. The appeals document must clearly indicate the grounds for appeal, which may include the following:
- An error in procedure or process occurred
- Critical new information or evidence has emerged
- There is evidence of bias in the disciplinary process
- The administration demonstrated some other form of misconduct
- The rights of the student were violated
Experienced Representation for Disciplinary Appeals
Your attorney will assist with creating a document that effectively justifies your appeal. Facts will be clearly presented that suggest your appeal is worthy of consideration. At the minimum, the document may have enough merit to create some degree of leverage that warrants a potential negotiation. Due to the short period of time available for presenting your appeal, students are encouraged to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
Attorney for Student Academic Disciplinary Appeals in Michigan
Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm recognizes how records of academic misconduct can create potential future problems. You deserve experienced representation that will aggressively counter allegations and ensure your rights are protected. Those in Michigan seeking student disciplinary defense are encouraged to call (888)535-3686 for a consultation.
- Adrian College
- Albion College
- Alma College
- Alpena Community College
- Andrews University
- Aquinas College
- Baker College Center for Graduate Studies
- Baker College of Allen Park
- Baker College of Auburn Hills
- Baker College of Cadillac
- Baker College of Clinton Township
- Baker College of Flint
- Baker College of Jackson
- Baker College of Muskegon
- Baker College of Owosso
- Baker College of Port Huron
- Bay de Noc Community College
- Bay Mills Community College
- Calvin College
- Central Michigan University
- Cleary University
- College for Creative Studies
- Compass College of Cinematic Arts
- Concordia University Ann Arbor
- Cornerstone University
- Davenport University
- Delta College
- DeVry University Michigan
- Eastern Michigan University
- Ferris State University
- Finlandia University
- Glen Oaks Community College
- Gogebic Community College
- Grace Bible College
- Grand Rapids Community College
- Grand Valley State University
- Great Lakes Christian College
- Henry Ford Community College
- Hope College
- International Academy of Design and Technology Troy
- ITT Technical Institute Canton
- ITT Technical Institute Dearborn
- ITT Technical Institute Swartz Creek
- ITT Technical Institute Troy
- ITT Technical Institute Wyoming
- Jackson Community College
- Kalamazoo College
- Kalamazoo Valley Community College
- Kellogg Community College
- Kettering University
- Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
- Kirtland Community College
- Kuyper College
- Lake Michigan College
- Lake Superior State University
- Lansing Community College
- Lawrence Technological University
- Macomb Community College
- Madonna University
- Marygrove College
- Michigan Jewish Institute
- Michigan State University
- Michigan Technological University
- Mid Michigan Community College
- Monroe County Community College
- Montcalm Community College
- Mott Community College
- Muskegon Community College
- North Central Michigan College
- Northern Michigan University
- Northwestern Michigan College
- Northwood University Michigan
- Oakland Community College
- Oakland University
- Olivet College
- Rochester College
- Sacred Heart Major Seminary
- Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College
- Saginaw Valley State University
- Sanford Brown College Dearborn
- Sanford Brown College Grand Rapids
- Schoolcraft College
- Siena Heights University
- South University Novi
- Southwestern Michigan College
- Spring Arbor University
- St Clair County Community College
- The Art Institute of Michigan
- University of Detroit Mercy
- University of Michigan Ann Arbor
- University of Michigan Dearborn
- University of Michigan Flint
- University of Phoenix Metro Detroit Campus
- University of Phoenix West Michigan Campus
- Washtenaw Community College
- Wayne County Community College District
- Wayne State University
- West Shore Community College
- Western Michigan University
- Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
Regrettably, an academic misconduct finding of responsibility can derail an accused student's academic and professional goals and some students and parents do not recognize this concern until it may be too late. If a student is found responsible for academic misconduct charges, in addition to the short-term consequences such academic and disciplinary sanctions, there will be long-term consequences. Internships, graduate school opportunities, and employment opportunities can all be adversely impacted by a finding of responsibility.
For these reasons and more, it is critical to properly address such concerns as early as possible in the disciplinary process. There are times, however, that it necessary to appeal an adverse outcome, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the futures of his clients at universities and colleges in Michigan and throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as an academic misconduct advisor to students facing disciplinary cases in Michigan and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected at all stages of the academic misconduct disciplinary process, including the appeal stage - Contact National Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
