The University of Kentucky takes academic integrity very seriously. The school believes that students who behave ethically in academics are able to achieve and receive excellent educations while inspiring others.
When a student is accused of academic dishonesty, the school responds with swift and sure action. It will do everything it can to make sure that proper penalties are imposed on guilty parties. The consequences of being found guilty at The University of Kentucky of academic misconduct are severe and can end up ruining your life.
What Are Academic Offense Issues at the University of Kentucky?
At the University of Kentucky, academic offenses include cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic records, and a host of other behaviors. Allegations of academic dishonesty at the school are overseen by the school's University Senate. The Senate's rules not only define academic dishonesty but also dictate the way that any allegations must be handled by the school.
Plagiarism
According to the University's definition, plagiarism includes reproducing or “borrowing” someone else's work without attribution. It also includes hiring people or firms to write your assignments or take your tests for you and then passing off the work as your own work. Plagiarism also includes self-plagiarism, submitting essays or papers twice, or resubmitting your own work without permission.
Cheating
“Cheating” at the University of Kentucky includes the taking, presenting, or giving of information and material by a student with the sole purpose of bettering their grade or bettering someone else's grades.
Just because someone does not benefit from the cheating personally does not mean that they did not cheat. This is an area that catches many students off guard. They assume that the only people who can get into trouble for cheating are the people who benefit from the cheating. That means that you can get into trouble for cheating if you help someone else cheat.
Falsifying Records
Students can get into trouble for not only falsifying or attempting to falsify records but also knowingly having unauthorized access to these records or unauthorized access to the information found in these records. Records, in this case, include documents like the student's transcripts, other students' transcripts, the permanent academic record, application materials, testing material, admissions credentials, at any other types of academic documents.
What Happens When a Student Is Charged With an Academic Offense at the University of Kentucky?
If an instructor determines that a student may have been involved in some sort of academic dishonesty like cheating or plagiarizing, the instructor will have the opportunity to meet with the student as well as the department chair or a designated faculty member. In this meeting, a student will be asked what happened.
Why Is This Meeting So Important?
This meeting is very critical because it will be the student's opportunity to tell their side of the story. Not knowing what to say when you enter this meeting could create hardships for you down the road. Having an advisor help you walk through the process can help you present yourself in the best light. If the school doesn't believe you, you will be hit with sanctions and penalties.
What if the Student Wants to Appeal the University's Decision?
If the student decides not to appeal, the determination will stand. The student will receive a letter from the academic ombud stating that the decision and any penalties relating to the decision are final.
If the student decides to appeal, however, there is a process in place that they must follow. The student needs to contact the Academic Ombuds Services within 10 days of the decision to schedule a meeting with the ombud. The ombud will then investigate the case, after which they'll forward it to the university appeals board, where a hearing will be scheduled. During this time, most students are allowed to continue participating in classes, but they should be aware that there may be some restrictions.
The University Appeals Board's hearing officer will set up the hearing. They will then send an email to the student listing the date, location, and time of the hearing. When the hearing arrives, both the students and the instructor will be allowed to tell their sides of the story.
Once both sides of the story have been recorded, the university appeals board will deliberate before making a decision. Once a decision has been made, the university hearing officer must notify the student within 24 hours, and a written decision must be provided within a week.
Having an attorney-advisor like Joseph D. Lento on your side when dealing with academic misconduct allegations may help you make decisions that help protect your future.
What Are Some of the Possible Penalties for Academic Misconduct at the University of Kentucky?
The penalties for academic misconduct at the University of Kentucky vary and could include the following.
- If the student has committed a prior offense or received a letter of warning, the instructor could give an “E” or “F” grade in the course.
- The student receives a “0” on the assignment in question
- The student is suspended.
- The student is expelled.
Why Is Academic Misconduct Such a Big Deal?
Some people make the mistake of not taking academic misconduct allegations seriously. Some students are under the impression that they could be suspended at worst or simply end up failing the class. Some may even reason that if the worse happens and they get expelled, they'll simply apply to another school. They approach the hearing lightly, or they assume that they'll just figure a way out of it. They go into the hearing completely unprepared.
As mentioned above, the University of Kentucky takes academic integrity very seriously. The school will go out of its way to make sure that students involved in any type of misconduct are held responsible. They will impose penalties and sanctions that they believe fit the offense. Those penalties can permanently change the course of the accused student's life. If you're suspended or expelled, you'll have gaps in your transcript that will be difficult for you to explain to future employers or other schools.
Why Should You Work With an Attorney-Advisor?
By working with an attorney-advisor who has experience in academic dishonesty cases, you will receive the advice you need to present yourself as well as you can during the academic misconduct process. The one thing that you don't want to do is to try and handle it yourself. Your very future could depend on the outcome.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has defended hundreds of students nationwide facing academic misconduct allegations and charges. Attorney Lento and the Lento Law Firm will fight for a fair process and the best possible outcome. Reach out for help from the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686.
