Academic integrity is at the crux of all thriving learning environments. Each member of the campus community - students, staff, and faculty - is obliged to live up to integrity standards in all academic feats and endeavors. If not, students especially may be subject to harsh repercussions.
This is why it's important for students accused of academic misconduct to seek the help of an experienced attorney advisor. A legal professional understands what it takes to clear your name, salvage your reputation, and avoid tarnishing your academic record.
What is Academic Misconduct?
In North Dakota colleges and universities, there are guidelines imposed that specifically address student accountability and respect when it comes to the creation of their respective scholastic words, and the intellectual property of others. Academic misconduct occurs when a student fails to comply with the guidelines.
Academic Misconduct Violations
There are various actions that could potentially constitute academic misconduct. Here are some common definitions and examples of these actions:
Cheating: using deceitful, fraudulent, or dishonest tactics to gain academic merit.
- Using materials, prepared answers, written notes, or concealed information that isn't allowed to complete homework, a project, or exam
- Sharing answers from a take-home exam (unless specifically authorized by an instructor)
- Allowing another person to write a paper for you
- Copying from others during an exam
- Having a stand-in take an exam for you, or standing in for someone else
Fabrication/Falsification: inventing or modifying information in an academic exercise.
- Making up a dialogue, interactions, people, or events to complete an academic exercise
- Creating or modifying citations for a paper
Plagiarism: using intellectual material authored by another person in your work without acknowledging the source.
- Passing off the words, concepts, or ideas of another person as your own
- Using the work of another in your scholastic words without giving them the proper credit. This is known as citing the source. In order to properly cite the source, one must give credit for every summary, paraphrased idea, direct quote, or information that isn't considered common knowledge
Complicity: aiding or attempting to aid another student in performing academically dishonest acts.
- Letting another student use your identification to access a restricted area of campus
- Allowing another student to copy off of your exam, homework, or project
It's important to note that this is a general list that isn't intended to be restrictive or exhaustive. For a more detailed list of actions that could potentially constitute academic misconduct at your school, see your institution's code of conduct.
Consequences
In the context of academic environments, administrators see academic misconduct as one of the most reprehensible acts a student can commit. Therefore, the consequences for failing to comply with integrity rules imposed by schools are almost always harsh. Depending on the circumstances, students may be subject to sanctions involving a failing course grade, being booted from a degree program, suspension, or even expulsion from an institution.
The repercussions that come with acquiring an academic misconduct violation may also extend far beyond college sanctions, haunting them in their professional life. Jobs with access to an academic record may deny a student employment because of this violation.
North Dakota 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.
- Bismarck State College
- Cankdeska Cikana Community College
- Dakota College at Bottineau
- Dickinson State University
- Fort Berthold Community College
- Jamestown College
- Lake Region State College
- Mayville State University
- Minot State University
- North Dakota State College of Science
- North Dakota State University Main Campus
- Sitting Bull College
- Trinity Bible College
- Turtle Mountain Community College
- United Tribes Technical College
- University of Mary
- University of North Dakota
- Valley City State University
- Williston State College
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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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.
