Clarion University is a college that emphasizes how important academic integrity is to the preservation of the intellectual community. Students who are accused of violating the university's rules that maintain academic integrity will be accused of what's known as “academic misconduct” - an allegation that puts your academic and professional career in jeopardy.
As a college student at Clarion University, it's easy to get overwhelmed. You'll be assigned tons of homework, exams, projects, and presentations, leaving you to either sharpen your time management skills and adapt or struggle with completing it all. Unfortunately, the struggle to keep up with studies is the number one culprit behind academic misconduct charges.
In this article, we'll address how Clarion University defines and handles academic misconduct, as well as why you need a student defense attorney to represent you throughout the school's processes.
Clarion University's Academic Honesty Policy
Academic misconduct is any action that doesn't align with Clarion University's academic integrity policy. Since this definition leaves much room for interpretation and there are multiple ways to constitute academic misconduct, the school gives some concrete examples of this behavior.
Plagiarism is the use of another person's words without attribution and without enclosing the words in quotation marks. Plagiarism may also be defined as the act of taking the ideas or expression of ideas of another person and representing them as one's own, even if the original paper has been paraphrased or otherwise modified.
Collusion is when students collaborate with another person in the preparation of notes, themes, reports, or other written work when specifically prohibited in advance by the instructor.
Cheating is the act of giving or receiving information or using prepared material on an examination or quiz.
The falsification of data is essentially manufacturing data, falsifying information, including false or misleading information or selective use of data to support a particular conclusion or to avoid conducting actual research.
This list is not exhaustive. Students should speak with a faculty member if they have any questions about their allegations of academic misconduct.
Clarion University's Disciplinary Process
If a faculty member discovers academic dishonesty, they are required to report the instance to the chair of the Academic Integrity Committee. The reporting process can be initiated by a faculty member once the following conditions are met: (a) the faculty member has documented evidence that a violation of the College's academic integrity policy has been committed (b) that the student has been notified that a violation of the College's academic integrity policy has been committed as well as any sanctions that will be imposed by the faculty member at that time. While faculty members have the discretion of imposing sanctions, reporting the instance to the Academic Integrity Committee is required.
The chairperson of the Academic Integrity Committee will receive the original report of academic dishonesty and convene the Academic Integrity Committee within 10 days of receiving the report and will render and report a decision within 5 days of convening the committee.
The chairperson will notify the student of the committee's decision as well as their right to appeal the decision. The chairperson will file the report and decision in the student's record. The chairperson will submit the decision to the appropriate departments if a change in student status is required.
Sanctions
Sanctions for academic dishonesty can range from a failing grade on a particular assignment or examination to dismissal from the university based on the seriousness of the action and whether it is part of a pattern of academic dishonesty. Instructors imposing a lowered or failing grade on an assignment or course because of a charge of academic dishonesty must inform the student. Sanctions extending beyond a particular course, such as suspension or dismissal from an academic program or from the university, can only be imposed as the result of complaints.
It's important to note that the ramifications for an academic misconduct violation can not only impact your collegiate career but your professional life. With evidence of this misconduct on your academic record, other institutions, careers, and professions may question your morale and integrity. Government jobs, professions in law, and careers in academia are industries that have been known to disqualify applicants for having academic misconduct on their records.
Appeals
If a student doesn't agree with the “responsible” decision, he or she has the right to appeal. There are several ways to appeal. Students may appeal either through the Grade Appeal Process or directly to the university Conduct Board by contacting the Office of Judicial and Mediation Services. The decision of the Conduct Board shall be final.
Academic Integrity Attorney
An academic misconduct violation 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. The attorneys of LLF Law Firm have helped students who've acquired serious academic misconduct charges recover from these allegations, and they can do the same for you. Contact them today for more information at 888-535-3686.
