Graduating from high school is only the first step to achieving your dream career. Getting into college is the second and graduating the third. But for students accused of academic misconduct, there are additional hurdles to face before getting to that third step. If you or someone you love is accused of academic misconduct at Eastern Michigan University, working with an attorney from the moment you are notified of the accusations will ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. At the Lento Law Firm, Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped hundreds of college students navigate these allegations. You don't have to weather this storm along; they're here to help.
Academic Misconduct at Eastern Michigan University
While the definition of academic misconduct is different at every school, it generally covers any act that offers a student with an academic advantage without permission. At Eastern Michigan University, the following incidents are considered acts of academic dishonesty that violate the university's code of conduct:
- Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized materials on an exam, paper, or other academic exercise. Examples of cheating include copying someone else's paper, using a cheat sheet during a test, or allowing someone else to take the exam for you.
- Falsification: falsifying or inventing information or citations on an academic exercise. Some examples include making up data on an assignment, giving false information to a staff member to get a higher grade, and changing or tampering with grades.
- Plagiarism: using another's ideas, words, or results without giving them credit. For instance, using an entire quote on a paper without giving the original author credit or passing in someone else's work as your own.
- Publicly posting, selling, or distributing class lecture notes, outlines, or course handouts without express permission.
Eastern Michigan University Academic Dishonesty Procedure
Once the university is notified of an act of academic misconduct, the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility will review the violation report. If they believe there are enough facts to warrant further investigation, they will notify the accused student. The student will then be given an opportunity to review the accusations and respond.
If the student fails to respond to the accusations and then doesn't show up for the scheduled review with the community responsibility administrator, the administrator will conduct the review alone. After the review, they will determine the student's responsibility.
But, if the student does respond, the university may allow the instructor to oversee the review. The instructor will provide the student with the time to present their side of the story. Once the student has explained the situation, the instructor will decide what the next steps to take are. In some instances, they may resolve the matter right there or impose sanctions on the student and prevent the matter from moving further along the formal hearing process.
Generally, this only occurs if the student admits responsibility or explains themselves well enough for the instructor to see they were mistaken. Possible sanctions the instructor might impose include: reducing a grade on a particular assignment, reducing a grade in the course overall, or failing the student for the entire class credit. The specifics, though, will depend on the department the class is part of.
The instructor is only allowed to deliver academic sanctions, not disciplinary ones. If he or she finds that there is enough evidence to warrant a hearing, they will notify the Office of Wellness and Community Responsibility, who will, in turn, notify the student of the time and date for the hearing. The community responsibility administrator will determine what disciplinary sanctions, if any, are necessary. These sanctions might include:
- Interim suspension
- Reassignment to alternate housing
- Limitation of access to designated University housing facilities or other campus facilities
- Limitation of privileges to attend or participate in university activities.
Appealing an Academic Misconduct Decision
Once you are notified of the community responsibility administrator's decision, you have five business days to appeal it. Appeals must be made in writing to the designee specified in the notice and can only be made on the following grounds:
- A procedural error or irregularity in the case or in the interpretation of university rules and regulations seriously affected the outcome of the matter
- There is new substantive evidence available that was not reasonably available during the hearing that could affect the outcome
- The severity of the sanction does not match the severity of the violation
- The decision was not supported by the evidence presented
The university designee in charge of reviewing the appeal will either affirm it, modify the sanction, or remand it to a hearing panel for further review. The appeal decision is final and cannot be appealed further.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Academic misconduct allegations can have prolonged costs. For instance, if found responsible, the sanctions imposed can stop you from participating in extracurricular activities, joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing for a college sports team. More importantly, these sanctions could prevent you from graduating on time or getting into the graduate school of your choice.
If you are accused of academic misconduct at Eastern Michigan University, it is essential you contact an attorney-advisor as soon as possible. Attorney-advisors, like Attorney Joseph D. Lento and Lento Law Firm, will ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your situation. Attorney Lento has unmatched skill and experience when it comes to college academic misconduct violations. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule your consultation.
