Many colleges and universities offer more than just undergraduate and graduate degrees. Some, like Clemson University in upstate South Carolina, also offer courses and certificates to expand your education and advance your career. Students seeking continuing education opportunities must abide by the same academic, ethical, and conduct standards as undergraduate and graduate students.
But sometimes, students face situations where they act in ways they usually would not. When this happens, the university steps in to investigate charges of misconduct and facilitate remediation efforts.
Facing disciplinary action can be frightening. Students shouldn't deal with it on their own. In fact, Clemson University allows students facing disciplinary action to consult with an attorney-advisor. A knowledgeable advisor's support can guide you through the disciplinary process and help you build a strong case.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team are attorney advisors who have worked with students across the country facing disciplinary action. They are available to help you understand the disciplinary process and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Academics
Clemson University was founded in upstate South Carolina in 1889 through a bequest of Thomas Green Clemson, a Philadelphian-born engineer, musician, and artist who relocated to his wife's family plantation in South Carolina. Clemson was a longtime advocate for an agriculture college in the Upstate and, upon his death, left his fortune to the state to create the Clemson Agriculture College. Through the years, the college expanded its academic offerings and research pursuits and, in 1964, became Clemson University.
The university offers Bachelor's, Master's, and graduate degrees, as well as continuing education programs through the Clemson Center for Corporate Learning. The department has partnerships with Education To Go, JER Online, and MindEdge, which enables it to provide courses to various industries and trade groups.
Education To Go offers adult education and training courses for the modern workplace. Offerings include soft skill and technical training with several specialty areas, such as:
- Project management
- Computer networking
- Business accounting
- Professional writing
- Search engine optimization
- Grant writing
- Digital photography
- Medical terminology
Ed2Go Advanced Career Training offers online open enrollment programs that provide the skills required for professional-level occupations. Areas of learning include:
- Healthcare
- Fitness
- Business management
- Graphic design
- Hospitality
- Skilled trade
MindEdge courses and certificates feature narrative learning, interactive video exercises, learner assessments, simulations, just-in-time scenarios, and case studies to help broaden understanding and enhance learning. Learning categories include:
- Career building
- Communication
- Data analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- HR management
- International trade
- Leadership
- Management
- Marketing
- Operations
- Project management
- Six Sigma & Lean
- Small business management
- Sustainable management
Clemson's continuing education department also offers a Certificate of Mastery in Packaging Management (CMPM) through its PackagingSchool.com. The program showcases the latest technologies in the packaging field and provides a structured approach to deliver thought leadership in the space of packaging development, material procurement, and organizational management.
And for companies employing remote workers, Clemson's continuing education department also offers Managing Remote Employees. This course explores the benefits and drawbacks of remote work and provides managers with tips for helping their remote workers stay connected and motivated.
Degree Certificate Requirements
Clemson University awards four types of certificate credentials for undergraduate students, graduate students, and working professionals:
The Undergraduate Certificate, also known as a Baccalaureate Certificate, enhances the undergraduate degree with additional skills or competencies above and beyond what is offered through the certificate seeker's major or minor or to non-degree-seeking students.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is a graduate certificate that addresses the specific needs of holders of a bachelor's degree or equivalent. It also focuses on a set of skills or competencies not otherwise attainable through the certificate seeker's standard academic preparation.
The Post-Master's Certificate is a graduate certificate for holders of a Master's degree or equivalent. It provides a set of skills or competencies not otherwise attainable through the certificate seeker's standard academic preparation.
The Professional Development Certificate, formerly referred to as simply "Certificate," meets the professional development needs of working professionals or lifelong learners. These certificates are customized to respond to the seeker's needs, which the workplace or prior education preparation did not fulfill.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Clemson University requires its students to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress, or SAP, to receive all forms of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Clemson's SAP policy evaluates both the grade-point average and credit hours completed toward the student's coursework.
Satisfactory status also means students are on track to complete their undergraduate degree in less than 189 credit hours or complete their graduate degree in less than 108 credit hours. Plus, the student earns at least 67 percent of the credit hours attempted in the previous semester.
Students who don't meet SAP standards in the first semester are assigned a "warning" status. During the "warning" semester, students are still eligible for federal financial aid for that semester. If the student does not meet SAP standards at the end of the "warning" semester, they won't be eligible for federal financial aid in future semesters unless they appeal and their appeal is granted by the appeals committee.
To be considered for an appeal, students must explain why they failed to make SAP and what has changed that will allow them to meet SAP standards at the subsequent evaluation. Appeals can be filed based on academic improvement, the death of a family member or dear friend, injury or illness of the student, or other special circumstances.
An experienced attorney-advisor, such as attorney Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team, can help you build a strong case should you be faced with losing your financial aid due to an unsatisfactory SAP.
Attendance Policies
Similar to other universities, Clemson expects its students to attend classes regularly. If students exceed the maximum allowed absences before the last day to drop the class, the department may drop the student from the course. If the student is not or cannot drop the class, they will receive an "F" for the course. Course instructors may also choose to withdraw a student with excessive absences from the class. Students should keep track of their absences and whether they have exceeded the allowed amount.
Excused absences include those related to medical conditions, family emergencies, or approved university activities.
Academic Misconduct
Clemson students share in founder Thomas Green Clemson's vision of the university as a "high seminary of learning." At the core of this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor, and responsibility. Therefore, the university tolerates no form of lying, cheating, or stealing.
The school's Academic Integrity Statement defines academic dishonesty as "giving, receiving, or using unauthorized aid on any academic work" and "plagiarism, which includes the intentional or unintentional copying of language, structure, or ideas of another and attributing the work to one's own efforts."
The school also doesn't tolerate any attempts to copy, edit, or delete computer files belonging to another person. Furthermore, students must pledge that they received no unauthorized aid in any academic work submitted for grading.
Clemson expects every university community member to enforce the Academic Integrity Policy.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
If you are found violating Clemson's Academic Integrity Policy for the first time, the instructor will determine the penalty. The maximum penalty an instructor can give is an "F" in the course.
The university sets penalties for second offenses or higher. These penalties include an "F" in the course, suspension for one or more semesters, or possible dismissal. The school does not designate on your transcript that the "F" or suspension is from academic dishonesty.
Faculty members who accuse a student of academic dishonesty must follow procedures outlined in Clemson's Undergraduate Catalog. This five-step process includes the following:
- The instructor contacts the Senior Associate Dean for Curriculum. Instructors are advised not to communicate with the accused student.
- The student is contacted by the Coordinator of Academic Integrity. Students must respond within 10 days of being contacted, or the university will find them in violation of the offense. Students will have access to an advisor of their choosing, which includes a parent, friend, or attorney-advisor. The university will also give the student the opportunity to request a hearing or waive their right to a hearing.
- The student chooses whether to waive their right to a hearing. Students who choose to have a hearing will receive a copy of the hearing procedures and processes.
- The student presents a written rebuttal to the charges to the Coordinator within five working days of the meeting. The Coordinator schedules a hearing date and informs the student. Students who do not confirm the hearing date and time within five working days of receiving notice of the hearing date waive their right to a hearing.
- The hearing is held according to the procedures, after which the student is either found in violation or not in violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.
No student should face charges of academic misconduct alone. Attorney Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team represent students across the country facing disciplinary action.
Disciplinary Misconduct
All students, as well as student organizations, are required to follow the Student Code of Conduct. Students face immediate disciplinary action and sanctions for any violations of any conduct regulation that occurs on or off campus when the alleged conduct:
- Impair, interfere with, or obstruct the missions, processes, or functions of the university, or
- Endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the student or others, or
- Endanger any university property.
Clemson prohibits attempting, abetting, or being an accessory to the following conduct regulations:
- Arson or creating a fire hazard on university property
- Assault
- Computer misuse
- Contempt/failing to comply with university sanctions
- Damage to property
- Dating/relationship violence
- Disorderly conduct
- Disruption of community and ethical standards process
- Unlawful use or possession of drugs or alcohol
- Domestic violence
- Failure to comply with an official request
- Failure to comply with health or safety directive
- Making false fire alarms or tampering with safety equipment
- Fraud
- Harassment
- Harm to another person
- Hazing
- Nonconsensual sexual contact
- Retaliation
- Sexual assault
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual coercion
- Sexual exploitation
- Use of skateboards/bicycles/motorcycles/rollerblades in unauthorized areas or in a threatening manner
- Stalking
- Stealing
- Violating student housing terms
- Trespassing/unauthorized entry of any university facility
- Vandalism
- Violating federal, state, or local law
- Possession or use of weapons, firearms, and explosive materials
Students may face one or more sanctions for violations of conduct regulations. These sanctions include:
- Written reprimand stating that there has been a violation of conduct regulations. This reprimand remains on file with the university for six years from the reprimand date.
- In-Kind Restitution, which may be in the form of financial payment, service to the university, relocation of the student within university housing facilities, or required attendance to an educational program.
- Restriction or privileges, such as being stripped of the right to live in university housing, attend nonacademic university events, be elected or appointed to any registered student organization, or use any university facilities.
- No contact order, denying contact with any individuals who are complainants, victims, or witnesses in the student conduct process.
- Disciplinary probation, during which the school considers the student in "not good standing" with the university.
- Eviction from university housing without a refund if the student lives in a residence hall or on-campus apartment.
- Suspension for a specified amount of time from enrollment, attendance, and other privileges at the university.
- Dismissal from the university without the ability to apply for re-enrollment.
- Interim measures to protect parties or witnesses. These may include separating parties, reassignment, or alternative academic work.
- Emergency removal if, following an individualized safety and risk analysis, the university deems the respondent poses an immediate threat to another person's physical health or safety related to the alleged misconduct.
Students charged with dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or stalking charge must contact the Title IX coordinator. Clemson's Office of Community and Ethical Standards (OCES) handles all other complaints.
OCES provides a standard form for complaints and will attempt to complete a review, investigation, and adjudication of a complaint within 75 business days. Within three days of receiving a complaint, OCES staff will interview the reporting person and determine the appropriate type of hearing body.
The hearing body will launch an investigation, after which parties have ten business days to submit a written response indicating their agreement or disagreement. Students may also have a right to a hearing.
Clemson students can have an attorney acting as an attorney-advisor, or a faculty member or parent, during the hearing. However, that person cannot address the hearing board or ask questions. They can only talk with and advise the student during the process. The student may also bring material witnesses (those involved in the incident) but not character witnesses.
Attorney Joseph Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team are experienced attorney advisors. They can help guide you through the disciplinary process and help you achieve the best outcome possible.
Joseph D. Lento: Continuing Education Student Attorney-Advisor
If you are a continuing education student facing disciplinary action, you must build a strong case in your defense. You shouldn't do this on your own.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team understand the time and effort you put into your professional and continuing education. They are knowledgeable and experienced in student discipline defense. They can help guide you through the disciplinary process, gather evidence and witness testimony, and build a strong defense that will help preserve your future. Call 888-535-3686 today, or schedule an online consultation.
