In order to maintain a high-quality learning environment, academic integrity must be preserved. This is why in college and university settings, each member of the campus community - students, staff, and faculty - is required to live up to integrity standards in all academic feats and endeavors. But for students especially, the stakes are high.
It's important for students accused of academic misconduct to seek the help of an experienced attorney advisor. A legal professional understands what it takes to clear your name, salvage your reputation, and avoid tarnishing your academic record.
What is Academic Misconduct?
In Missouri higher education institutions there are guidelines imposed that specifically address students accountability and transparency when it comes to submitting their own respective scholastic words, and the intellectual property of others. Academic misconduct occurs when a student fails to comply with these guidelines.
Academic Misconduct Violations
There are various forms of academic misconduct. Here are some of the common definitions and examples of academic misconduct that may be punishable at your school:
Cheating: using fraudulent, deceitful, or dishonest tactics to gain academic merit.
- Having a stand-in take an exam for you, or standing in for someone
- Copying from others during an exam
- Sharing answers from a take-home exam (unless specifically authorized by an instructor)
- Allowing another person to write a paper for you
- Using materials, prepared answers, written notes, or concealed information that isn't allowed to complete an exam or project
Fabrication/Falsification: inventing or changing information in an academic exercise.
- Creating or modifying citations for a paper
- Making up interactions, discussions, people, or events to complete an assignment
Plagiarism: using intellectual material created by another person in your work without acknowledging the source.
- Passing off the words, ideas, or concepts of another person as your own
- Using the work of another in your academic work without giving them proper credit. This is known as citing the source. In order to properly cite the source, one must give credit for every summary, direct quote, paraphrased idea, or information that isn't considered common knowledge
Complicity: aiding or attempting to aid another student in performing academically dishonest acts.
- Letting another student use your identification to access a restricted area of campus
- Allowing another student to copy your homework, exam, or project
Consequences
Since administrators perceive academic misconduct as a reprehensible act, the consequences for failing to comply with the rules that preserve integrity are harsh. Depending on the circumstances, students have been subject to sanctions that include a failing course grade, being booted from degree programs, suspension, or even expulsion from an institution.
The repercussions that come with having academic misconduct on your record may also extend beyond college sanctions, affecting your professional life as well. Jobs with access to your academic record are justified in denying you employment merely because you acquired an academic misconduct violation.
Missouri Academic Misconduct Advisor
A finding of responsibility for academic misconduct can jeopardize the academic and professional goals you or your college student have set. If you value the investment you've made into your education and your professional future, contacting a skilled student defense attorney is a must. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped students who've acquired serious academic misconduct charges recover from these allegations, and he can do the same for you. Contact him today for more information.
Missouri 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:
- Avila University
- Baptist Bible College and Graduate School
- Brown Mackie College St Louis
- Bryan University Springfield
- Calvary Bible College and Theological Seminary
- Central Bible College
- Central Christian College of the Bible
- Central Methodist University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Chamberlain College of Nursing Missouri
- College of the Ozarks
- Colorado Technical University Kansas City
- Columbia College
- Conception Seminary College
- Cottey College
- Cox College
- Crowder College
- Culver Stockton College
- DeVry University Missouri
- Drury University
- East Central College
- Evangel University
- Everest College Springfield
- Fontbonne University
- Grantham University
- Hannibal LaGrange University
- Harris Stowe State University
- Hickey College
- ITT Technical Institute Arnold
- ITT Technical Institute Earth City
- ITT Technical Institute Kansas City
- ITT Technical Institute Springfield
- Jefferson College
- Kansas City Art Institute
- Kenrick Glennon Seminary
- L'Ecole Culinaire
- Lincoln University
- Lindenwood University
- Linn State Technical College
- Maryville University of Saint Louis
- Messenger College
- Metro Business College Arnold
- Metro Business College Cape Girardeau
- Metro Business College Jefferson City
- Metro Business College Rolla
- Metropolitan Community College Blue River
- Metropolitan Community College Business & Technology
- Metropolitan Community College Longview
- Metropolitan Community College Maple Woods
- Metropolitan Community College Penn Valley
- Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
- Mineral Area College
- Missouri Baptist University
- Missouri College
- Missouri Southern State University
- Missouri State University Springfield
- Missouri State University West Plains
- Missouri Tech
- Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Missouri Valley College
- Missouri Western State University
- Moberly Area Community College
- National American University Independence
- National American University Lee's Summit
- National American University Zona Rosa
- North Central Missouri College
- Northwest Missouri State University
- Ozark Christian College
- Ozarks Technical Community College
- Park University
- Pinnacle Career Institute North Kansas City
- Pinnacle Career Institute South Kansas City
- Ranken Technical College
- Research College of Nursing
- Rockhurst University
- Saint Louis Christian College
- Saint Louis Community College
- Saint Louis University Main Campus
- Sanford Brown College Fenton
- Sanford Brown College Hazelwood
- Sanford Brown College St Peters
- Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- Southeast Missouri State University
- Southwest Baptist University
- St Charles Community College
- St Louis College of Health Careers Fenton
- St Louis College of Health Careers St Louis
- St Louis College of Pharmacy
- State Fair Community College
- Stephens College
- Stevens Institute of Business & Arts
- Texas County Technical College
- Three Rivers Community College
- Truman State University
- University of Central Missouri
- University of Missouri Columbia
- University of Missouri Kansas City
- University of Missouri St Louis
- University of Phoenix Kansas City Campus
- University of Phoenix Springfield Campus
- University of Phoenix St Louis Campus
- Vatterott College Berkeley
- Vatterott College
- Vatterott College Kansas City
- Vatterott College Saint Joseph
- Vatterott College Springfield
- Vatterott College St Charles
- Vatterott College Sunset Hills
- Washington University in St Louis
- Webster University
- Wentworth Military Academy & Junior College
- Westminster College
- William Jewell College
- William Woods University
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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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.
