Colleges and universities in Nebraska all care about their reputation as an institution of higher learning. Therefore, they take exception to students who commit academic misconduct in an attempt to pass through class or get a better grade.
Having an academic misconduct attorney advise you as you progress through your school's hearing process can drastically improve your outcome and protect your future from a serious blemish on your academic record.
Academic Misconduct in Nebraska
Every school in Nebraska has its own unique way of defining academic misconduct, as well as its own way of investigating claims of violations and punishing offenders. Details on these processes are usually contained in your student handbook, though many colleges now host those manuals online, exclusively.
Regardless, the goal of these rules and regulations surrounding academic misconduct and integrity are meant to ensure each and every student is justly rewarded for their hard work.
Violations of Academic Integrity
Because there are so many ways that codes of academic integrity can be broken or manipulated, schools in Nebraska have long since resorted to defining violations in ways that are so broad that innocent students fall into them unknowingly. These often include:
- Cheating. While cheating on a test or a paper can come in a wide variety of forms, the most common is to bring prohibited items, like notes or other classroom materials, into a closed-book exam. Because doing so puts you at an advantage over other students, it can constitute unfair cheating. However, where professors are unclear about what can be brought into a test, innocent students can find themselves in trouble through no fault of their own.
- Plagiarism. Copying someone else's work in your own paper or presenting someone else's material or ideas as your own can constitute plagiarism. In some cases, this is merely a case of failing to properly cite to a source, something that everyone has done at some point in their lives.
- Complicity. Even if someone else violated your school's code of academic integrity, you can find yourself in trouble if your school thinks you helped him or her commit the deed.
- Falsifying records. Not all academic misconduct is done on graded assignments like papers or exams. Lying or changing information on official school forms can amount to academic integrity.
- Abusing materials. You can also commit academic misconduct by stealing or destroying academic resources, answer keys, or other records.
Consequences of Academic Violations
A finding that you committed an act of academic misconduct is not a small thing. You can face harsh reprimands ranging from a warning to a failing grade to expulsion from school. With such a competitive professional market in the U.S., today, any one of these consequences can hamper your ability to set your best foot forward after graduation.
Nebraska Academic Misconduct Advisor
Having Joseph D. Lento a student discipline defense attorney, advise you throughout the academic misconduct process can be a huge help. He knows how to put your best case forward and protect your interests. Contact him online or by phone at 888-535-3686 for the help you need.
Nebraska 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:
- Bellevue University
- BryanLGH College of Health Sciences
- Central Community College
- Chadron State College
- Clarkson College
- College of Saint Mary
- Concordia University Seward
- Creighton University
- Doane University
- Grace University
- Hastings College
- ITT Technical Institute Omaha
- Kaplan University Lincoln Campus
- Kaplan University Omaha Campus
- Little Priest Tribal College
- Metropolitan Community College Area
- Mid Plains Community College
- Midland University
- Myotherapy Institute
- Nebraska Christian College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health
- Nebraska Wesleyan University
- Northeast Community College
- Omaha School of Massage and Healthcare of Herzing University
- Peru State College
- Southeast Community College Area
- The Creative Center
- Union College
- Universal College of Healing Arts
- University of Nebraska at Kearney
- University of Nebraska at Omaha
- University of Nebraska Lincoln
- University of Phoenix Omaha Campus
- Vatterott College Spring Valley
- Wayne State College
- Western Nebraska Community College
- York 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.
