Colleges in Alaska maintain their reputation as academic institutions by vigorously enforcing their code of academic conduct against students who try getting an unfair advantage over others. However, these codes are often vague, putting innocent students into trouble for doing nothing wrong.
If you are accused of academic misconduct, appointing a lawyer as your advisor for the investigation and hearing can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.
Alaska's Rules Regarding Academic Misconduct
Colleges in Alaska all have their own sets of rules dealing with academic misconduct. Typically outlined in your school's code of academic conduct in your student handbook, most of these rules are accessible online.
While each school is different, there are several types of academic misconduct that tend to be mentioned by most schools:
- Cheating on exams. Using prohibited materials during an exam, or having another student take the exam in your place, is usually explicitly prohibited by most academic codes in Alaska.
- Plagiarizing material. Schools want to ensure that each student gets credit for their own work, and not the efforts of someone else. Therefore, most colleges in Alaska prohibit plagiarizing the thoughts and ideas of other people. Unfortunately, citing materials properly is not always easy, and innocent mistakes can be made by even the most attentive students.
- Complicity in misconduct. Even if you did not directly benefit from misconduct does not mean that you cannot be accused of violating your school's code. Covering up someone else's academic misconduct or simply failing to report it when you should have known it was going on can lead to accusations of academic misconduct.
- Misconduct with academic materials. You can also be accused of academic misconduct in many Alaskan schools if you distribute testing materials without authorization, or if you deface or destroy resources like library books.
- Altering documents. Academic misconduct can also happen if you alter official school documents like your transcript, or if you are dishonest on other school forms.
Consequences
The penalties that you can face if you are found to have violated your school's code of academic conduct can span a huge range. The most severe instances of academic misconduct can lead to you being expelled from school, while the least severe can end with just a warning. However, even receiving a warning for misconduct can still drastically impact your professional future, as it puts a blemish on your academic record that can make interested employers think twice before hiring you. In a competitive job market or when you are reaching for a position, this blemish can be more than enough for an employer to hire someone else.
Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento
Protecting your rights during an investigation of academic misconduct can make a huge difference in your professional future. Joseph D. Lento, a student discipline defense attorney, can ensure that your rights are protected if appointed as your advisor for the investigation and hearing process in Alaska. Reach out to him by contacting him online or by phone at 888-535-3686 for the help you need.
Alaska colleges and universities where Joseph D. Lento can help as your or your student's academic misconduct advisor during investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- Alaska Bible College
- Alaska Pacific University
- Charter College Anchorage
- Ilisagvik College
- Prince William Sound Community College
- University of Alaska Anchorage
- University of Alaska Fairbanks
- University of Alaska Southeast
It is an unfortunate reality that academic misconduct charges can upend an accused student's life if not properly addressed, and Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of his clients at colleges and universities in Alaska and throughout the nation. He does not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes his clients' needs and well-being. Joseph Lento is a licensed attorney in New Jersey and New York, is admitted as an attorney pro hac vice in state and federal court if needed when representing clients nationwide, and serves as an academic misconduct advisor for students facing disciplinary cases in Alaska and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact National Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento today at 888-535-3686.
