Wayne State University Law School (aka Wayne Law) is a public law school established in 1927. The school boasts over 2,000 global alumni, including judges and government officials that work throughout the globe. Wayne Law offers six unique degree options, including the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws, and an online Master of Studies in Law program. In addition to these programs, Wayne Law also operates eight clinics, including the Legal Advocacy for People with Cancer Clinic, which enjoys national acclaim for innovation.
Wayne Law takes a firm stance against academic misconduct. Students must demonstrate high behavioral and ethical standards to continue studying at the institution. Those who violate its terms face severe consequences, including suspension or expulsion. However, students make mistakes and deserve a fair hearing and treatment despite misconduct allegations. With the help of an attorney-advisor, students are less likely to face penalties that have detrimental consequences on their future.
Academic Misconduct at Wayne Law
Wayne Law maintains that all of its students must follow the university's general guidelines regarding student conduct issues. Academic misconduct is high on the list of offenses at Wayne, as it compromises the institution's integrity principles and undermines genuine effort and merit. According to the Student Conduct page, academic misconduct includes:
- Plagiarism: Students may not use the work, ideas, theories, or any other material produced by another person without proper citation. Plagiarism also includes paraphrasing work and claiming it as a student's effort.
- Cheating: This action comes in multiple forms, such as copying from others or allowing others to do the same. Students may also cheat by bringing unauthorized materials to an exam or quiz or accessing answers through digital means.
- Fabrication: Students may not fabricate documents such as records and certifications and attempt to pass them off as genuine. Other forms include making up information or deliberately including unauthorized sources in a bibliography.
- Selling or Buying: Wayne Law prohibits students from selling academic work to others or buying it from another person. Examples include selling exam questions, tests, and essay-writing services.
- Taking an Exam for Another Student or Vice-Versa: This violation is a severe offense that may lead to suspension, expulsion, or a notation on one's transcript.
- Destruction of Academic Work: Students may not destroy another student's academic work to gain an advantage over their peers.
- Threatening or Exploiting Students and Instructors: Students may not threaten a professor or peer for reporting a misconduct violation or for any other reason.
- Other Form of Misconduct: This segment includes miscellaneous conduct issues not included above.
If a student suspects that a peer is engaging in academic misconduct, they must submit an academic misconduct report. If an instructor believes a violation occurred, they send the accused student an Academic Misconduct Notification Letter.
The Hearing Process
If an instructor believes that a student committed academic misconduct, they may reduce their grade without filing an official charge. Students may appeal this decision by sending a written request to the department or unit head. Students also have the right to ask for a hearing regarding the accusations. Students may have an attorney or advisor present for support during the hearing. The advisor may not directly engage during the proceedings.
If the Academic Dean determines that the sanctions are severe enough where the student risks suspension, a permanent disciplinary record, or expulsion, they initiate the hearing process. During the hearing, the student and their accuser can question opposing witnesses.
Ten days after the hearing, the committee sends its decision to the Dean. They inform the student of the results. Fortunately, students still have a chance to fight against the allegations through the university's formal process.
Appeals
Students may appeal the hearing committee's decision by sending a written Request for Review to the President. After the President goes over the matter, they may affirm, reverse, or modify the hearing panel's decision. The President may ask the College of Law to reexamine the case in rare cases.
Students can also file for a postponement of the effect of the Dean's final decision. In either case, the President makes a final decision regarding the matter, not subject to a re-appeal.
Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
Due to the multiple forms of academic misconduct, sanctions range in severity from a warning to expulsion. Even if law students receive a suspension, it shows on their transcript and has debilitating consequences for the future. Employers may not want to risk hiring a fresh graduate with a negative notation on their record – especially when other aspiring attorneys have spotless records after graduation.
Some of the sanctions students risk when engaging in academic misconduct include:
- A disciplinary reprimand warning the student that future misconduct actions may lead to more severe sanctions
- Disciplinary probation with restrictions on student activity
- Suspension or expulsion from the Residence Hall
- Loss of privileges
- Discretionary sanctions by the student's instructor
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- A negative disciplinary record/transcript
- Other sanctions deemed appropriate by the panel
Due to the damage that suspension, expulsion, and notations inflict on a law student's future, every action impacts the adjudication process. During this time, the help of an attorney-advisor can make a considerable difference in the case outcome.
The Importance of an Attorney-Advisor
When you face charges of academic dishonesty, your future as a lawyer is at stake. You need the help of a skilled attorney-advisor who specializes in student discipline defense to help you get results. Fortunately, Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento is here to help you and your family during this stressful process.
Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm help students and their families negotiate a fair outcome for academic misconduct charges and fights for their rights. With his experience and knowledge assisting students nationwide defend against accusations, Attorney Lento highlights errors and biases that negatively impact the case outcome.
Don't wait until the appeals process if you face academic misconduct or dishonesty accusations at Wayne Law. Contact the Lento Law Firm today for a no-fuss and thorough conversation at 888-535-3686.
