Kansas colleges care a lot about their reputation as academic institutions. Therefore, they go out of their way to punish students who might throw those reputations into jeopardy. This includes students who commit acts of academic misconduct that might make their college appear less than stringent.
Unfortunately, not all acts of academic misconduct are intentional. Even minor and accidental ones, though, can put an innocent student into hot water. Having a lawyer acting as your advisor in these cases can make a huge difference in the outcome.
Academic Misconduct in Kansas
While every school in Kansas has its own definition of what academic misconduct means, those definitions – as well as how the school will investigate and try allegations of misconduct – are usually outlined in your student handbook, which is typically found online. These rules are meant to ensure that every student is rewarded for their work and that the dishonest are punished.
However, that is not always how things work out.
Types of Academic Misconduct
One reason for the difficulties in academic misconduct law is that schools use definitions of academic dishonesty that are vastly overbroad. The reason for these wide-reaching definitions is understandable – schools want to prevent savvy students from getting around them – but the foreseeable reality is that these overbroad definitions drag innocent students into lots of trouble.
- Cheating. One of the most common accusations that a student in Kansas can face is that they were cheating during an exam by, for example, bringing prohibited items like notes or textbooks into the exam.
- Plagiarism. Another common allegation of academic misconduct is that a student has passed off a classmate's work or someone else's idea as their own. This can amount to plagiarism, though it is often an innocent mistake that most students make at some point during their time in college.
- Complicity in misconduct. Charges of academic misconduct are not just confined to the person who most benefited from the act; they can also be levied against anyone who aided or abetted the misconduct, as well.
- Forging records. Not all academic misconduct happens in class work. If you have been accused of altering, forging, or lying on official school reports or documentation, you can face misconduct charges, too.
- Stealing materials. Finally, you can violate your school's academic honesty policies by stealing, distributing, or destroying academic materials, like answer keys to upcoming tests or books in the library.
Consequences of Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct can be punished in a variety of ways. In some of the most trivial cases – like those involving an improperly cited paper – you can be warned by your professor. In the most egregious cases, though, you can even be expelled from school.
Kansas Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento
In any case, the repercussions of a violation of your school's academic honesty policies can saddle you with a blemish on your academic history that can make a huge difference in your upcoming professional career. Having Joseph D. Lento, a student discipline defense attorney, in your corner to act as your academic advisor can make a world of difference. Contact him online or by phone at 888-535-3686.
Kansas colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Allen County Community College
- Baker University
- Barclay College
- Barton County Community College
- Benedictine College
- Bethany College
- Bethel College North Newton
- Brown Mackie College Kansas City
- Brown Mackie College Salina
- Bryan University Topeka
- Butler Community College
- Central Baptist Theological Seminary
- Central Christian College of Kansas
- Cleveland Chiropractic College
- Cloud County Community College
- Coffeyville Community College
- Colby Community College
- Cowley County Community College
- Dodge City Community College
- Donnelly College
- Emporia State University
- Flint Hills Technical College
- Fort Hays State University
- Fort Scott Community College
- Friends University
- Garden City Community College
- Hesston College
- Highland Community College
- Hutchinson Community College
- Independence Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Wichita
- Johnson County Community College
- Kansas City Kansas Community College
- Kansas State University
- Kansas Wesleyan University
- Labette Community College
- Manhattan Area Technical College
- Manhattan Christian College
- McPherson College
- MidAmerica Nazarene University
- National American University Overland Park
- National American University Wichita
- Neosho County Community College
- Newman University
- North Central Kansas Technical College
- Ottawa University Ottawa
- Pinnacle Career Institute Lawrence
- Pittsburg State University
- Pratt Community College
- Salina Area Technical College
- Seward County Community College and Area Technical School
- Southwestern College
- Sterling College
- Tabor College
- The Art Institutes International Kansas City
- University of Kansas
- University of Phoenix Wichita Campus
- University of Saint Mary
- Vatterott College Wichita
- Washburn University
- Wichita Area Technical College
- Wichita State University
- Wright Career College
It is an unfortunate reality that academic misconduct charges can upend an accused student's life if not properly addressed, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities in Kansas 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 for students facing disciplinary cases in Kansas and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
