At Bowling Green State University (BGSU), all members of the university community should work to sustain an environment of ethical and principled intellectual pursuit. The university's core values are the honest pursuit of academic challenges and respect for one another, and it, therefore, does not tolerate academic dishonesty.
Students who compromise academic honesty at BGSU may face disciplinary action and could end up being expelled from the university. BGSU considers academic honesty a serious matter, so if you are accused of misconduct, you should take it seriously as well — even if you are innocent. At Lento Law Firm, we advise students accused of academic misconduct on how to stand up for their rights with their universities. We've created this helpful resource about academic dishonesty at BGSU to help you better understand your situation.
Academic Dishonesty at Bowling Green State University
BGSU has a Code of Academic Conduct or Academic Honesty Policy that is supplemental to the Code of Student Conduct. This policy lists behavior that is considered dishonest in an academic setting and lays out the procedures for dealing with suspected incidents of academic misconduct. All members of the university community, including students and faculty members, are expected to know and adhere to the Academic Honesty Policy.
Examples of Academic Misconduct Violations
The BGSU Academic Honesty Policy provides definitions of academic misconduct, although the list is not exhaustive and does not reflect all the behavior students may face disciplinary action for:
- Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, materials, or information in an academic exercise
- Forgery: Altering a score, grade, schedule change form, or academic record
- Bribery: Offering a bribe related to an academic exercise
- Threats: Making a threat or coercion related to an academic exercise
- Fabrication: Falsification or invention of any information, data, research, or citation in any academic exercise
- Plagiarism: Representing as one's own in any academic exercise the words or ideas of another
- Facilitating academic dishonesty: Helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty
Bowling Green State University Procedures for Academic Misconduct
At BGSU, cases of academic dishonesty may be handled by instructors or may fall under the jurisdiction of the academic dean of the college where the incident occurred. As a result, there are two procedures for handling suspected academic dishonesty violations.
All cases start with an instructor reporting an alleged act of academic misconduct to their academic dean. The academic dean then notifies the student in writing.
Cases with Instructor Jurisdiction
If the sanction to be imposed for alleged academic misconduct is less severe than a suspension, the instructor may handle the matter on their own and impose a sanction. Within five days of the incident, the instructor must attempt to meet with the student to discuss the matter. At this meeting, the instructor should inform the student of the charge against them and present evidence. Students must also have the opportunity to examine and challenge the evidence. After the meeting ends, students can have an additional two days to provide more information.
Within five days of meeting with the student, the instructor must make a decision and impose a sanction if they find the student responsible for academic misconduct. The instructor notifies the academic dean of the decision and the sanction, and the dean formally notifies the student.
Cases with Academic Dean Jurisdiction
In an academic misconduct case where the penalty imposed may be suspension, dismissal, or expulsion, the academic dean has jurisdiction. The academic dean also handles cases where alleged academic dishonesty is a second offense.
After an instructor reports a suspected violation of the academic honesty policy to the academic dean, the academic dean has 15 days to schedule a hearing. The hearing takes place between the accused student, the instructor, and the academic dean. Both the instructor and the student may present evidence. Only in cases where the potential sanction is suspension, dismissal, or expulsion may students have an external advisor present with them during the hearing.
The academic dean is the sole decision-maker at the hearing. If students disagree with the academic dean's decision, they can appeal to the Academic Honesty Committee.
Appeals
Students have seven days from the time they receive the academic dean's decision to file an appeal. Students must send written appeals to the Academic Honesty Committee in the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Academic Honesty Committee may overturn or uphold the decision.
Students may appeal the decision of the Academic Honesty Committee with the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Decisions by the Vice President for Academic Affairs are final.
What's at Stake for Students Found Responsible for Academic Misconduct?
If a case of academic dishonesty remains under the jurisdiction of the instructor, the possible penalties are:
- Withdrawal from the course
- Partial or no credit on an exam or assignment
If a case is under the jurisdiction of the academic dean, the possible sanctions are:
- Expulsion
- Dismissal
- Suspension
- Suspended sanction
How Can a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Help?
If you are accused of academic misconduct at BGSU, you might feel that you can handle it on your own. When you have a sanction as severe as expulsion at stake, however, you should seriously consider working with a legal expert who's handled academic misconduct for university students before. An advisor can comb through your school's policies and documentation to ensure you are treated fairly and that the university follows its own procedures. They can also help you gather evidence to present to your instructor or academic dean. Even if the attorney-advisor cannot be present in the meetings or hearing with you, they can still offer guidance prior to these events.
Joseph D. Lento has helped students across the country defend themselves from academic misconduct charges at their colleges and universities. If you want to protect the future of your education, contact Lento Law Firm by calling 888-535-3686.
