Academic integrity is an essential part of a thriving learning environment. Higher education institutions want to keep the quality of learning high by preserving academic integrity. This is why colleges and universities enforce rules that maintain academic integrity. If students fail to comply, the consequences can be severe.
It's important for students accused of academic misconduct to seek the help of an attorney advisor. An experienced legal professional can help you clear your name, and avoid getting you a record for employers and outside institutions to see.
Academic Misconduct Violations
There are many forms of academic misconduct. The following definitions and examples of academic misconduct may be punishable at your school:
Cheating: using deceitful, fraudulent, or dishonest methods to gain academic merit.
- Allowing another person to write a paper for you
- Sharing answers from a take-home exam (unless specifically authorized by an instructor)
- Copying from others during an exam
- Having a stand-in take an exam for you, or standing in for someone else
- Using materials, written notes, prepared answers, or concealed information that isn't allowed to complete homework, an exam, or project
Plagiarism: using intellectual material created by another person in your work without acknowledging the source.
- Passing off the ideas, words, or concepts of another person as your own
- Using the work of another person in your academic creations without giving this person the proper credit. This is referred to as citing the source. To properly cite the source, one must give credit for every direct quote, summary, paraphrased idea, or information that isn't considered common knowledge
Fabrication/Falsification: inventing or altering information in an academic exercise.
- Making up discussions, interactions, people, or events to complete an assignment
- Creating or altering citations for a paper
Complicity: aiding or attempting to aid another student to perform academically dishonest acts.
- Letting another student use your identification to access a restricted part of campus
- Allowing another student to copy your homework, project, or exam
This is a general list that isn't meant to be exhaustive or restrictive. For a more detailed list of definitions and examples of academic misconduct, see your institution's code of conduct.
Consequences
The repercussions of academic misconduct extend far beyond college sanctioning. This violation can hinder students in their professional lives, as well as their academic lives. Jobs with access to student academic records can deny students employment due to this violation. In fact, government jobs, careers in academia, and professions in law are likely to question the integrity of students with academic misconduct violations on their record.
Mississippi Academic Misconduct Advisor
A finding of responsibility for academic misconduct can jeopardize the academic and professional goals you or your college student have set. If you value the investment you've made into your education and your professional future, contacting a skilled student defense attorney is a must. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped students who've acquired serious academic misconduct charges recover from these allegations, and he can do the same for you. Contact him today for more information.
Mississippi 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:
- Alcorn State University
- Antonelli College Hattiesburg
- Antonelli College Jackson
- Belhaven University
- Blue Cliff College Gulfport
- Blue Mountain College
- Coahoma Community College
- Copiah Lincoln Community College
- Delta State University
- East Central Community College
- East Mississippi Community College
- Hinds Community College
- Holmes Community College
- Itawamba Community College
- ITT Technical Institute Madison
- Jackson State University
- Jones County Junior College
- Meridian Community College
- Miller Motte Technical College Gulfport
- Millsaps College
- Mississippi College
- Mississippi Delta Community College
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
- Mississippi State University
- Mississippi University for Women
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Northeast Mississippi Community College
- Northwest Mississippi Community College
- Pearl River Community College
- Rust College
- Southeastern Baptist College
- Southwest Mississippi Community College
- Tougaloo College
- University of Mississippi
- University of Phoenix Jackson Campus
- University of Southern Mississippi
- Virginia College Biloxi
- William Carey University
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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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.
