Maryville University of St. Louis does not tolerate academic dishonesty. The university's Academic Catalog states that “All members of the University community share the responsibility to uphold the integrity of the academic community.”
Cheating and other forms of academic misconduct, as you might guess, threaten the integrity of Maryville U.'s academic community. As such, the school may impose swift, severe sanctions against you. You don't necessarily have to cheat to suffer severe consequences—an allegation is enough to put you at risk.
Can you afford to lose your reputation? What about attractive job opportunities or future earnings? This is the sort of harm you could face should you be formally sanctioned. If you are not willing to tolerate a diminished future, hire a college academic advisor today.
Joseph D. Lento defends college students who've made a mistake or are facing baseless allegations of academic dishonesty. He and his team will guide you through the stages of your case.
What Qualifies as Academic Dishonesty at Maryville University of St. Louis?
Section D1 of Maryville University’s Student Code of Conduct categorizes academic misconduct under “Offenses Against the Maryville Community”. The Student Code lists specific forms of sanctionable dishonesty, including:
- Cheating, which includes the use of stolen exam materials, electronic tools, other students' materials, and “crib sheets” to gain an advantage
- Fabrication, which is the creation, misrepresentation, or falsification of data, information, or experiences
- Plagiarism, which is the passage of another person's work as your own, or without adequate citation
- Facilitating academic dishonesty, which means that you help others engage in academically dishonest behaviors
These are the broad categories of academic dishonesty into which many specific behaviors fit. If you or your child are accused of any of these behaviors, prepare for the informal and formal grievance processes that await.
A Professor Will Schedule a Meeting with You
Maryville University’s Academic Catalog explains that “Problems arising from academic dishonesty (such as cheating, fabrication, plagiarism) or faculty error should first be resolved through the informal grievance process.”
A resource titled ‘Grievances Related To Academic Integrity' details how the informal and formal grievances processes will unfold. During the informal stages of the academic integrity process, you can expect to:
- Attend a fact-finding meeting with the professor for the course in which you are accused of wrongdoing: You should have an opportunity to address the allegations against you.
- Find out whether the professor filed a Confidential Report of Academic Dishonesty: Any such report will reach the Dean of Student Life, Academic Dean for the course in which you are accused of wrongdoing, the Registrar, Program Director, and your academic advisor.
The filing of a Confidential Report of Academic Dishonesty raises the stakes of your case. You are no longer presumed innocent—the professor has chosen to proceed with sanctions, having deemed you guilty.
However, this report is far from final. You have recourse for defending yourself. It behooves you to hire an academic misconduct advisor to put on the best possible defense of yourself and your future.
How to Initiate the Informal Grievance Process (and What to Expect)
Once you become aware of a professor's formal allegations against you, you will write a letter to the Academic Dean overseeing the course in question. This letter should contain:
- A request for the Academic Dean to review your case
- Any documentation that supports your request for review
Students are generally granted this request, as University literature states matter-of-factly that “The Academic Dean will schedule a meeting within ten (10) business days [of receiving your request] with the student and/or the faculty member, as appropriate.”
During this meeting, you should have the opportunity to present your case and all supporting evidence. Following the meeting, the Academic Dean will issue a written summary and decision to you and the faculty member who filed the complaint against you.
If the Academic Dean does not rule in your favor, you have another option: The formal grievance process.
How to Initiate the Formal Grievance Process (and What to Expect)
You must initiate the formal grievance process within ten days of your meeting with the Academic Dean. You can start this process by:
- Submitting a written grievance request to the Student/Faculty Hearing Board by way of the Vice President of Academic Affairs
- Including all relevant documentation and details explaining your case
Your hearing will occur no more than ten business days after the receipt of your formal grievance request. During this hearing, you will:
- Plead your case
- Present evidence in support of your case
- Present any witnesses who will testify on your behalf
- Answer any questions that the Student/Faculty Hearing Board poses to you
The hearing is the last opportunity to clear your name. University literature states that “The decision of the Student/Faculty Hearing Board shall be final.”
What Sanctions Do You Face?
You should view sanctions from Maryville University of St. Louis through two separate lenses:
- The academic ramifications of sanctions
- The life-altering ramifications of sanctions
First, the specific academic sanctions that you may face for a formal charge of academic misconduct:
- Suspension from an academic program or the university
- Removal from a course, academic program, or the university
- A reduced or failing grade on an assignment
- A reduced or failing grade in a course
- Disciplinary probation
- A permanent reprimand in your student file/on your transcripts
You may suffer more than one of the above sanctions. Any one of these consequences may have life-altering ramifications, including:
- Permanent loss of your good reputation
- Restriction of your job opportunities
- Reduction in your earning power
- Harm to your self-esteem and happiness
Faculty members, Academic Deans, and Hearing Boards at Maryville University of St. Louis have immense power over your future. Do not take these parties on without the help of an experienced academic advisor.
Joseph D. Lento Is Ready to Clear Your Name
Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team have fought for years to preserve college students' futures in the face of alleged wrongdoing. They've handled hundreds of cases like yours, and a skilled attorney-advisor like Joseph D. Lento will seek the best possible outcome for you.
Do not assume that Maryville University of St. Louis will take it easy on you—it won't. Leave nothing up to chance, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for a consultation about your unique circumstances. You can also contact attorney Joseph D. Lento online here.
