Academic misconduct: If you're an online student, it's very possible that you never expected to be involved in anything quite like a misconduct violation investigation. After all, you're studying at home. You're taking care of the logistics of your own education. You may not even interact with teachers or other students that much—so what's the worst that could happen?
Unfortunately, schools like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University tend to take academic honesty very seriously. Schools across the nation are also currently punishing any infraction that feels like an academic integrity violation extremely harshly to cut down on the rising trend of remote academic misconduct. That means that you need to take steps now to make sure that any disciplinary measures you receive don't have unwanted effects on your future.
What are the academic integrity expectations at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Worldwide?
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University expects its students to work hard and satisfy all academic requirements whether they work online or on-campus. In order to help ensure that this is the case, the University has procedures in place to help support their student expectations.
The University has examples of these expectations listed on its website. Punishable academic integrity violations include:
- Cheating
- Fraud
- Plagiarism
- Accidental plagiarism
- Falsification of records
- Unauthorized collusion
- Interference with another student's academic experience
- Deceit
- Destruction of school property
Some of these examples of prohibited conduct may be subject to interpretation due to your status as an online student. For example, when it comes to ‘destruction of school property,' your school will likely examine your use of digital or online school resources, instead of physical objects like library books.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The Often-Frustrating Online Student Experience
There are many reasons that 100% (or mostly) online programs are a good choice. Perhaps you need to learn from afar; perhaps you enjoy the flexibility of completing assignments anywhere, as long as you have WiFi and a webcam.
However, there are lots of issues that you experience that your in-person academic peers never have to manage. For example, you've probably had to navigate:
- Troubleshooting vital academic software
- Managing distractions in your learning environment
- Figuring out how to replicate on-campus learning resources at home
- Quick shifts in online learning strategy at inopportune moments
- Adapting to new academic software without much notice
- Being expected to figure out glitches on your own, sometimes in the middle of an exam or during a similarly high-stakes situation
In addition, you don't get to build the professional relationships with professors and peers that you would if you were on campus. Aside from the fact that these relationships would have been enjoyable, this type of familiarity often helps in situations where students are under suspicion of cheating. A professor is much more likely to assume that a remote student is being dishonest, simply because their behavior remains unseen. Even when a professor can ‘see' a student's behavior, through screen logs or webcam use or via AI proctoring software, it's all too easy to jump to conclusions or misinterpret innocent behaviors. When this happens, the online student usually suffers unfairly.
What happens after an academic integrity violation at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
Once University staff learn of a suspected academic integrity violation, they will launch the University's documented due process.
- For a student's first offense, the school will hold a pre-hearing conference.
- For a student's second offense, the school will hold an Honor Board official hearing.
This is the general tiered approach to discipline, but if a student is suspected of especially severe behavior, they may be subject to an automatic referral to the Honor Board. Violations that tend to result in this upscaled approach include a combination of differing charges, charges that affect the educational experience of other students, or repeated severe infractions. In these elevated cases, the suspected student may face dismissal from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
What types of consequences are at stake after disciplinary issues at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide?
The school's website states the specific consequences that an online student might face after an academic integrity violation. These consequences include:
- Conduct probation
- Dismissals
- Educational or Intervention Strategies
- Interim University Suspension
- Loss of Privileges
- No-Contact Order (which restrains a student from contacting certain persons online or in-person)
- Parental Notification
- Restitution
- Suspension
- Written Warning
These consequences can seem steep, but the true consequences can come into play years after your disciplinary event. It's vital to manage your reputation now, as these events are occurring, instead of years later when the damage may become more permanent.
Why do I need a student defense attorney? Can't I just represent myself?
If you're an online student, you're likely very used to managing these types of issues on your own. You're a self-supported individual, and it may seem like all you need to do in your disciplinary case is tell your side of the story. Unfortunately, this may not be enough—and you may very quickly find yourself in over your head.
While it isn't fair, your school may not be inclined to listen when you tell them what really happened. Your school likely just wants to close this matter out in the quickest, most efficient way possible. This may not align with the outcome that is best for you and your future. In addition, these types of situations can easily become fraught. Your relationship with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University could become strained.
You want to preserve your relationship with your school—and you need to have enough mental energy at the end of the day to continue investing in your education. That's why you need to work with a professional student defense attorney to help manage your defense. Your school will be much likelier to take you seriously and ensure that you receive all of your rights when a third party is present. In addition, your student defense attorney will be able to bring years of expertise helping students avoid misconduct charges to help you succeed.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Students, Call Joseph D. Lento
While an academic misconduct violation may not seem like a big deal, especially if you're an online student, these types of disciplinary measures can have long-lasting effects on your future. Prospective employers or future academic institutions will request your transcripts or records from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and, if that transcript contains a disciplinary notation, you may have a hard time achieving the opportunities you might have otherwise.
You can't let this happen. At the Lento Law Firm, it's our mission to make sure that you have access to a successful future. With a strategic defense and accessible legal expertise, Joseph D. Lento can help guide you to a favorable outcome. He can help you draft documents, prepare for hearings, navigate your school's complex disciplinary system, and more to ensure that you're able to have the bright future you deserve.
Don't try to manage your own disciplinary negotiations. Have a professional help you shoulder this burden.
Reach out to the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation.
