Universities in Colorado rely on their reputations for academic integrity. If they did not rigorously enforce their rules against cheating and other academic misconduct, it would put their accreditation at risk and students would not enroll, anymore. Therefore, schools strictly enforce their rules of academic integrity.
If you have been accused of academic misconduct, though, you can be on the wrong side of your school's might. Having a lawyer serving as your advisor throughout this trying process can be the best decision you make.
Academic Misconduct in Colorado
Every college in Colorado has its own rules on academic misconduct. Your particular college's rules are typically found in the student handbook that it hosts online. Knowing the details of these rules is worth the time it takes to read the relevant portion of the handbook, especially if you have been accused of violating them.
Common Academic Misconduct Allegations
While each school is different, most colleges broadly define academic misconduct so they can prosecute any student who varies from the norm. Many schools categorize misconduct into five types:
- Cheating on an exam. Bringing prohibited notes into the exam or securing outside help for an exam – including hiring someone else to take the exam for you – will fall into your school's list of what academic misconduct includes.
- Plagiarizing a paper. Falsely claiming credit for an idea is also a common example of academic misconduct. In these cases, though, violations are often accidental.
- Being complicit in misconduct. Many schools also go after students who knew, should have known, or actively helped in an instance of academic misconduct that was committed by someone else.
- Falsifying records. Colleges in Colorado also prohibit students from falsifying official records with the school, whether by physically altering them or by being dishonest in their creation.
- Stealing materials. Another common example of academic misconduct in Colorado is to steal or distribute official academic materials, like an exam or its answer key, or outright destroying them.
Consequences of Academic Misconduct
A finding that you violated your college's code of academic conduct can come with a huge range of consequences. Some of the simplest citation mistakes can be reprimanded with a warning, while the most egregious instances of cheating or records abuse can lead to expulsion from school.
Colorado Academic Misconduct Advisor Joseph D. Lento
Even minor repercussions for a trivial instance of academic misconduct, though, can put a blemish on your academic record that makes potential employers think twice about hiring you, once you have graduated college. In today's highly competitive workforce, this tiny doubt can be a severe obstacle for your entrance into the professional world and can prevent you from getting the job that you want, the most.
Defending against allegations of academic misconduct, therefore, can be crucially important. Having a lawyer acting as your advisor during these proceedings can be the best way to enhance your ability to prevent them from ruining your first impression on the professional world. Reach out to student discipline defense attorney Joseph D. Lento by contacting him online or by phone at 888-535-3686.
Colorado 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:
- Adams State College
- Aims Community College
- American Sentinel University
- Arapahoe Community College
- Argosy University Denver
- Bel Rea Institute of Animal Technology
- Boulder College of Massage Therapy
- College America Colorado Springs
- College America Denver
- College America Fort Collins
- Colorado Academy of Veterinary Technology
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado College
- Colorado Heights University
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado Mountain College
- Colorado Northwestern Community College
- Colorado School of Healing Arts
- Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado State University Fort Collins
- Colorado State University Pueblo
- Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
- Colorado Technical University Greenwood Village
- Colorado Technical University Online
- Community College of Aurora
- Community College of Denver
- Denver School of Nursing
- DeVry University Colorado
- Ecotech Institute
- Everest College Aurora
- Everest College Colorado Springs
- Everest College Thornton
- Fort Lewis College
- Front Range Community College
- Institute of Business and Medical Careers
- ITT Technical Institute Aurora
- ITT Technical Institute Westminster
- Johnson & Wales University Denver
- Jones International University
- Lamar Community College
- Metropolitan State College of Denver
- Morgan Community College
- Naropa University
- National American University Centennial
- National American University Colorado Springs
- National American University Colorado Springs South
- National American University Denver
- Nazarene Bible College
- Northeastern Junior College
- Otero Junior College
- Pikes Peak Community College
- Platt College Aurora
- Prince Institute Rocky Mountains
- Pueblo Community College
- Red Rocks Community College
- Redstone College
- Regis University
- Remington College Colorado Springs Campus
- Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
- The Art Institute of Colorado
- Trinidad State Junior College
- United States Air Force Academy (exempt from Title IX and the Clery Act)
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Colorado Denver
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- University of Denver
- University of Northern Colorado
- University of Phoenix Colorado Campus
- University of Phoenix Southern Colorado Campus
- Western State Colorado University
- Westwood College Denver North
- Westwood College Denver South
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 Colorado 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 Colorado 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.
