Troy University puts academic honesty above all else. As such, they adjudicate incidents of academic misconduct to the letter of their regulations. Meaning, it is very important to defend yourself efficiently. Unfortunately, your university's priority is to protect its own reputation, and sometimes, accused students fall through the cracks. Students who fail to defend themselves sufficiently run the risk of incurring long-lasting consequences that could follow them long past their time in college.
Attorneys like Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the expert team at the Lento Law Firm, have spent years helping students who have found themselves going through something similar. They understand how to fully prepare for the grievance process. They can quell any fears or anxieties you might have while. Call the Lento Law Firm today.
Academic Misconduct at Troy University
The definition of academic dishonesty varies depending on your university, but for most schools in the United States, it is defined as acts or behaviors that give one student an unfair advantage over another student on an assignment, exam, or other pieces of academic work.
All students are given a code of conduct when they start the new school year at Troy University. This code of conduct outlines exactly what is expected of the student and gives specific details of what constitutes academic dishonesty:
- Cheating: intentionally using, or trying to use, unsanctioned materials on an exam, paper, or other academic exercises
- Multiple submissions: submitting all or portions of the same work for different courses without permission
- Plagiarism: using another's ideas, words, or results without giving them credit
- Giving or receiving assistance without the instructor's permission
Troy University Academic Dishonesty Procedure
Once a faculty member or staff person becomes aware or suspicious that a student has committed an act of academic misconduct, they must report it to their department. The Student Conduct Officer will notify the student of the accusations and set up a time to interview them.
After this initial interview, if the student does not confess to the incident, a hearing will be scheduled. If you do not show up to the meeting with the Student Conduct Officer and/or the subsequent hearing, the meetings will convene without you. The decision-maker will still make a decision but only have the facts presented to make this decision. So, it is really important to show up for these meetings and defend yourself appropriately.
At the hearing, you will have the opportunity to present your side of the story and any relevant evidence and witnesses that might be able to expound on your arguments. You will also have the opportunity to cross-examine other witnesses and evidence that the university presents.
The decision-maker will determine whether or not you are responsible for the academic misconduct allegations. This decision will be delivered to you in writing and will also include whichever sanctions they believe are necessary.
There are several sanctions that may be imposed upon you, including:
- A disciplinary warning
- Loss of privileges
- Educational sanctions
- Restitution
- Work reparation or community service
- Suspension from housing
- Expulsion from housing
- Disciplinary probation
- Temporary suspension
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Any other sanction the decision-maker deems appropriate
If you decide that you do not want to go through a formal grievance process, you do have the option of asking for a mediation process instead. The aim of mediation is to help you settle the issue quickly and informally. If you accept the informal settlement, the process will end there. It is important to remember that an attorney-advisor can, and should, be present during your mediation proceedings, should you choose to pursue it.
Appealing an Academic Misconduct Decision
Students always have the opportunity to appeal the decision-maker's determination. Appeals must be made in the form of a letter written within five days of receiving that decision. Appeals are not meant to be a second hearing; instead, they are intended to serve as a method of reviewing the hearing record, including any evidence and witnesses presented. Appeals can only be made on one of the grounds listed below:
- A violation of due process
- Evidence of prejudicial treatment by the decision-maker in the original hearing process
- Evidence that does not back a finding of responsibility
- The sanctions were inappropriate or disproportionate for the nature of the misconduct
- There is new evidence available now that was not available during the hearing that might have affected the outcome
The Senior Vice Chancellor or Campus Vice Chancellor will review the appeal and determine if their decision should be upheld, revoked, or modified in some way. It is important to remember that this decision is final and cannot be appealed further.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
When you are accused of academic misconduct, it can be incredibly jarring and have long-term consequences you might not have considered. For instance, if you are found responsible and expelled or suspended from the university altogether, those sanctions will be noted on your transcripts. When you apply to another college to continue your degree or to graduate school, you will have to explain the incident in order to be admitted. This is especially true if you are applying to law school or a state bar who are extremely interested in the ethics and morality of their candidates as an indication of their professional responsibility in school and during their careers.
Working with an attorney-advisor from the moment you are notified of the academic misconduct allegation will guarantee you have the best defense for your case. Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unmatched experience supporting students accused of academic misconduct. They know how complicated these grievance processes can be and work diligently to gather evidence and witnesses to shield your place on campus. Call 888-535-3686 today to schedule your consultation.
