While some people see going to college right after high school to be a natural progression, others may face financial barriers or feel wholly unprepared for high education and decide not to pursue it. As time goes on, though, going back to school can become more difficult. That's why many colleges and universities began creating continuing education programs for adult learners who want to earn a degree or simply improve their understanding in a particular area.
However, enrolling in continuing education as an adult can present additional challenges because it requires balancing personal responsibilities, like family and work, with classwork and peer relationships. When students fall behind in any of these areas of their life, they can become overwhelmed and anxious, which may, in turn, lead to misconduct accusations.
If you or someone you love has been accused of misconduct, Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help. Call today.
Academics at Cornell University
Cornell University's School of Continuing Education (SCE) is different from other university continuing education programs. Instead of offering online courses, on-campus courses, and summer programs on specific topics that might be outside the regular university's offerings, SCE offers nearly all the regular Cornell courses to its students. Meaning, there is a very invisible dividing line between Cornell University students and the students enrolled in the SCE.
Any individual who is interested in furthering their education, including professionals who are interested in expanding and improving their skills through innovative career development and certificate programs, will be able to find their place in the SCE. Some of the programs SCE students can sign up for include:
- Administrative Management
- Conversational English for International Students & Scholars
- Viticulture & Enology Experience
- Independent study for most classes Cornell University offers
- American Sign Language 1 and 2
- Race and Ethnicity in the United States: Social Constructs, Real Work Consequences
- Sustainable Animal Husbandry
- Marketing
- Introduction to the Economics of Development
- Antibiotics: Probing the Biology of Life and Death
- Neurobiology and Behavior 1: Introduction to Behavior
- Greek Mythology
- Introduction to Cognitive Science
- Design Generation
- Basic Engineering Probability and Statistics
- Honey Bees: Their Intriguing Biology and Interactions with Humans and More
- Creative Writing
- Argumentation and Debate
- The World of Italian Jewry
- International Human Rights in Theory and Practice
- Trail Running: Self-Guided
- General Physics 1
Cornell University's SCE is committed to providing students from all backgrounds with an opportunity to take real Cornell classes with more flexibility and understanding of their responsibilities outside of school.
Degree and Certificate Programs
As the SCE is different from most other continuing education programs around the country, each course and program have its own requirements for completion. Generally, though, students must complete all the required coursework with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 if they are hoping to continue taking classes at SCE or are intending to transfer those credits toward a degree at Cornell.
Failure to maintain the necessary grade point average, fulfill the required coursework, or meet the specified timeline may result in denial of the degree or certificate and possible dismissal from the program for the student.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy
As stated above, each program at SCE has its own requirements for completion. Unfortunately, Cornell SCE does not publish those requirements. Generally, though, students will have to maintain a particular minimum grade point average, the minimum number of classes attended, and specific courses to remain in good standing with the university.
When a student fails to do so or is unable to finish their program or course requirements within a certain period, it could result in some sort of sanction. Typically, sanctions for academic progression issues include academic probation, registration holds, and, sometimes, dismissal from the university altogether.
If you are notified of an academic progression issue, Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team can help advocate on your behalf.
Attendance Policies
All students in the SCE are expected to attend all the courses they are enrolled in on a regular basis. Many of these courses are taught during the summer and winter sessions and are thus extremely short compared to the fall and spring sessions. As such, missing even a single class during these shorter terms could seriously affect your academic career. The specific attendance policy, as well as what is considered an excused absence, will be listed on the course syllabus. If a student misses two or more days of class, does not complete assignments, or is distracting during class, they could be dismissed from the program.
Academic Dishonesty
Students in the SCE are expected to abide by the same academic integrity policies as students in the traditional university setting. At Cornell University, academic integrity is described as a devotion to a set of values that are crucial to keeping their academic community honest and respectful of intellectual efforts. For this reason, the following behaviors are strictly prohibited:
- Knowingly presenting someone else's work as their own.
- Using, obtaining, or providing unauthorized help on an exam, paper, or another university assignment.
- Fabricating data to support laboratory or fieldwork.
- Forging a signature to show completion of a course assignment or graduate school recommendation.
- Unfairly advancing their own academic position by keeping or destroying library materials.
- Misrepresenting their own academic achievements.
If a staff member or student suspects a student of violating the academic dishonesty code, they must report it to the faculty member in charge of the department the course was part of, or to the Hearing Board. The first hearing is held by the faculty member unless the misconduct was so substantial that the faculty member is unable to punish the student adequately enough. When that happens, the case is referred to the Hearing Board.
Sometimes, the faculty member may opt for an initial investigation. If after this investigation they believe the student has violated the code, they will formally charge the student and notify them of the primary hearing time and place. During the hearing, the faculty member and the student will each have an opportunity to present evidence and witnesses in support of their arguments. They will also have an opportunity to cross-examine the other side's evidence and witnesses to refute the other side's arguments. An independent witness will impartially observe the hearing to ensure the procedures are being followed correctly.
At the end of the hearing, the faculty member, or the Hearing Board, will either find the student not responsible and free to go or responsible and charge them with a sufficient sanction. They must find the student responsible by clear and convincing evidence, meaning the evidence presented was so precise and explicit that it is highly likely the fact it supports is true.
Academics: What Could Go Wrong?
When students face accusations of academic dishonesty, it can result in severe consequences such as suspension or expulsion. These disciplinary actions can have a detrimental effect on their academic records, making it challenging for them to apply to other schools and programs.
Therefore, it is crucial for students to seek guidance from an academic attorney-advisor to navigate these challenges. Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Team have aided many students across the country in mitigating the potential repercussions of unjust sanctions.
Disciplinary Misconduct
Creating a safe and supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally is one of the primary objectives of colleges and universities. They are dedicated to protecting the mental and physical well-being of their students, faculty, and staff by establishing a secure environment free from judgment and misunderstandings. If a student feels unsafe, it could affect their motivation to pursue high academics, leading to a decline in the SCE program's reputation, and thus lowering the overall revenue of the university.
Student Conduct Procedures
All students at Cornell University, including the SCE students, are expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct, which describes the behaviors that are outlawed, and the procedures the school will follow to adjudicate any violations. Examples of prohibited conduct include:
- Alcohol-related behaviors, like manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, possessing, using, or selling alcohol to an underage person, without a license, or in an unauthorized space.
- Engaging or threatening to engage in conduct that will cause someone else physical harm or significant psychological harm.
- Bribing a student or university employee for personal gain.
- Participating in, or helping someone else, commit a code violation.
- Intentionally or recklessly creating a risk of disruption to the community with violent or threatening behavior.
- Disrupting university activities.
- Drug-related behaviors, like unlawfully manufacturing, distributing, possessing, using, or selling marijuana or any controlled substances, including prescription drugs.
- Failure to comply with university staff or law enforcement.
- Fire safety violations.
- Harassing a member of university staff, another student, or a campus visitor.
- Hazing.
- Intentionally invading the privacy, or misappropriating property rights, of another.
- Any misconduct related to student organizations or groups.
- Giving the university information with the intention to deceive them.
- Using or selling fraudulently advertised, forged, or falsified documents, electronic records, or permits.
- Obstruction of the Code of Conduct investigation and adjudication process.
- Any action that results in or can be reasonably expected to result in university or personal property damage.
- Public exposure or lewdness.
- Public urination or defecation.
- Stealing or knowingly possessing stolen property or information.
- Unauthorized entry or use of space.
- Violating public laws.
- Possessing, carrying, or using any weapon or other object that can cause physical harm, that threatens to cause physical harm, or could be perceived as doing either, including firearms or replica firearms, explosives, and ammunition.
- Violating Title IX.
Once a report of a student allegedly violating the code of conduct is received, the Director will make an initial assessment of the complaint. If during this initial assessment, the Director determines that the complaint could be resolved during an Alternative Dispute Resolution, they will notify the accused student and the complainant of a set date and time. But if the accused student does not agree to accept responsibility for the actions proposed, the matter will be referred for a more formal hearing.
At the formal hearing, both the accused student and the complainant – or a university staff member – will have an opportunity to present their arguments, including evidence and witness testimony, to an unbiased Hearing Panel. Once this stage has concluded, they will have an opportunity to cross-examine each other's evidence and witnesses to try and refute the other side's argument.
The Hearing Panel will begin with a presumption that the accused student is not responsible for the accused behavior. The complainant, or the university staff member, must then prove by clear and convincing evidence that the student is responsible for the behavior. Much like with the academic integrity policy, here, the complainant or staff member must show that it is more likely than not that the evidence they are using supports a fact of the case. For instance, if the complainant can show that it is more likely than not that the accused student started a fire in their laboratory because they had the fire accelerant on their person when the fire started, the Hearing Panel will rule that the student was responsible for starting the fire recklessly or knowingly.
Once the Hearing Panel has made its decision, they will notify the student. If they find the student responsible for the accused misconduct, they will determine a suitable punishment. Punishments for disciplinary actions include anything from written reprimands and oral warnings to suspension or dismissal from the university, all of which can be appealed by following the directions contained within the notice.
How an Academic Attorney-Advisor Can Help
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Education Law Team understand how difficult managing the responsibilities of life and education can be as an adult learner. They know how hard you have worked to get where you are, the sacrifices you've made, and the dedication it takes to pursue higher education. As such, they will work tirelessly to ensure you receive the best possible outcome for your case. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
