Has an instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Florida campus sent you or your student a notice of academic misconduct?
The University takes academic integrity very seriously. Every student at ERAU Daytona Beach must adhere to a strict honor code, and any act of dishonesty or other academic issues may merit a stark consequence. It's crucial to make sure that you act now to negotiate for a lesser punishment or otherwise keep your student's transcript clear of any record of this incident.
Here's what you need to know.
ERAU-Daytona Beach Academic Integrity Policies
Embry-Riddle expects all students to prepare and present their own work as expressly stated in the University's honor code. To help clarify the types of actions that would constitute a violation, the school's code lists several potential actions that it may investigate further. These actions include cheating, fraud, and plagiarism. Embry-Riddle may also discipline other on-campus actions that interfere with the integrity-driven academic experience of one or more students, such as destruction of school property or classroom disruption.
While all of these actions may qualify as academic misconduct, not all may merit hiring an attorney. For example, plagiarism and cheating will likely net more severe consequences than classroom disruption, making those offenses that may require more legal assistance.
In addition, while you or your child is a student at Daytona Beach, you may experience a wide range of other school-related academic issues, including challenges where you may not feel that the school has acted fairly, denied you opportunities to succeed, questioned grades or hard work, or any other concern that may require tough negotiations with your school.
When you appeal a grade, work to overturn a sanction, or fight a charge of plagiarism, you will likely experience a side of Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach that you had not previously met. It's important to realize that your school isn't your friend—and being in an adversarial position with your campus mentors and other familiar faces can be very difficult.
If Someone Accuses You of an Academic Dishonesty Infraction, What Happens Next?
ERAU-Daytona Beach has a specific honor code hearing process that the school will use to determine responsibility for the alleged infraction. This process will include:
- A pre-hearing conference, when a representative from the school will notify the student of their responsibilities and rights during the disciplinary process
- An opportunity early on for the student to deny or accept responsibility
- An administrative court hearing or university honor board hearing for school officials to review all evidence and determine a disciplinary sanction
During the pre-hearing conference, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University may offer the student a school-appointed lawyer. This might seem generous, but it should make you wary. Their lawyer won't be loyal to you. That offer is dangerous, and you should disregard it.
What Are the Consequences of Academic Misconduct at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University?
Here's the thing: While Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University may have a varied list of potential consequences, by far the most common result of a misconduct allegation is a suspension. This shouldn't be a relief!
Suspensions can be hard to explain and may result in or accompany worse punitive ramifications. For example, if you experience a later issue during your time at ERAU-Daytona Beach, your first suspension will likely increase the severity of the discipline offered the second time around. A suspension can also delay your academic and other plans, increase financial hardship on your family, and make it more difficult to obtain opportunities you would otherwise have deserved later in life.
To ensure this does not occur, filing a strategic appeal may be a good course of action.
How Do I File an Appeal at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - FL Campus?
Whether you're looking to appeal a grade or a disciplinary decision resultant from misconduct, the appeals process at Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach is similar:
- Initiate the appeals process by contacting the instructor who made the allegation (or the course instructor most relevant to the alleged infraction, if a peer or other person filed the report)
- If you cannot come to an informal, agreeable resolution with the instructor, file a written petition describing the dispute with the appropriate department chair.
- The department chair will respond with a letter detailing the outcome.
- If this resolution does not work for you, you can request that the dean of the college review the case with a written petition.
- The dean of the college will review the case and reply with a written notice of the outcome.
Clearly, much of the appeals process involves formulating and writing a persuasive, strategic document. That's where working with an attorney who is keenly aware of the nuances of student defense will make a massive difference in your case.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento Will Work With You and Your School Towards the Best Possible Resolution
When you're facing academic dishonesty charges, you might be tempted to ignore them. A suspension might not seem like a big deal. Unfortunately, this couldn't be further from the truth.
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Florida campus, integrity is paramount. If anyone at your school suspects you of plagiarism, cheating, or any other academic issue, you face suspension at the very least. You'll also have to deal with the impact of this infraction on your future, the damage to your reputation, and more.
Don't face this alone. This is your future—it's vital that you work with someone who has worked with students in your shoes. You need targeted experience and years of honed legal practice. You need to work with attorney Joseph D. Lento.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento partners with students across the nation who need a second chance. He can help you negotiate with your school, manage your reputation, work towards a lesser consequence, and protect your future.
Reach out to Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to learn more about how we can help or use our online form to send us a message.
