Academic integrity rules protect the ability of students to obtain an authentic education to begin their careers on the right path. Rules surrounding work in the classroom, assignments, and exams also help institutions of higher education like Georgia Gwinnett College to maintain their academic reputations and accreditation with state and federal regulatory bodies.
Given the transition into student life, the stress of rigorous course loads, and preparing for careers, students may misstep and land themselves in trouble with their school disciplinary boards. Nevertheless, Georgia Gwinnett College will punish academic misconduct swiftly and harshly, and sanctions can quickly derail a student's academic future.
Although the fast-paced grievance process can be daunting, you can retain qualified assistance to defend your or your child's future. Joseph D. Lento is a highly skilled student defense advisor with a foundation in helping students fight back against harsh disciplinary boards.
Georgia Gwinnett College Academic Integrity Policy
Georgia Gwinnett College seeks to promote integrity, fairness, and honesty on its campus to establish and maintain a high-quality collegiate experience for its students. All policies and procedures related to academics are found in the school's Code of Conduct. While specific instructors may have additional rules for their classrooms, the college at large designates the following as violations:
- Academic Misconduct: Attempting, assisting in, or performing any act of academic dishonesty.
- Cheating: Giving information to or taking information from other students during examinations, assignments, or other graded projects.
- Collusion: Buying or selling material to misrepresent a student's work. Additionally, those failing to report known acts of academic dishonesty will be responsible for collusion.
- Misrepresentation of circumstances: Dishonestly representing personal circumstances to avoid meeting academic responsibilities.
- Misrepresentation or falsification of material: Altering, fabricating, or misrepresenting academic material.
- Plagiarism: Submitting material from unpublished or published sources as a student's work.
- Previously submitted material: Turning in work that has been or is being concurrently submitted, in whole or in part, without all instructors' permission.
- Unauthorized collaboration: Collaboration on out-of-class assignments or examinations is prohibited if established by the instructor.
- Unauthorized Use or Possession of Materials or Resources: Harboring unauthorized academic materials or resources to gain an academic advantage.
Although any college member may report an act of academic dishonesty, a Georgia Gwinnett College instructor must contact the Office of Student Integrity (OSI) to report the alleged violation. The OSI will determine whether to proceed with either:
- Faculty Adjudication Process
- Formal Resolution
Faculty Adjudication Process
This process is used when a student has not been found responsible for any prior academic dishonesty cases and if the alleged violation does not warrant more than academic sanctions. Once the OSI, Dean of Students, and the instructor establish that the case may be resolved through the Faculty Adjudication Process, the process will proceed as follows:
- The instructor will notify the student of the allegations and meeting to discuss them via email or written form.
- Students have five business days from notification to schedule a meeting with the instructor.
- During the meeting, the student and the instructor may have an advisor present but may not represent that student or instructor in the discussion.
- The student will have the opportunity to provide a rebuttal argument or share any additional information with the instructor.
- Following the meeting, the instructor will make a determination of responsibility based on the preponderance of evidence standard.
If a student is found responsible for the alleged academic misconduct, the instructor may levy academic sanctions only. They include:
- Failure of the assignment or course
- Reduction of assignment or course grade
- Retake or replace assignment
- Reprimand and referral to an educational seminar or workshop
Students seeking to appeal the decision must file with the Dean of Students within 15 calendar days of the decision notice. The dean will issue a written decision to the student within 15 calendar days or refer the case to a Formal Resolution.
Formal Resolution
Under the formal resolution process for Georgia Gwinnett College, the student (respondent), instructor (complainant), and any applicable witness will be given notice via email or in their college mailbox regarding the date, time, and location at least five business days before the hearing. All parties involved may retain an advisor, but they may not represent or speak on behalf of the parties during the hearing.
Conducted by the OSI, the formal hearing will process as follows:
- The hearing officer will convene the meeting and allow the respondent to present witnesses and evidence to the panel and ask questions to any witnesses.
- The complainant will address the allegations and detail the incident through evidence and witness testimony.
- Both parties will have the opportunity to examine evidence and witnesses during the hearing.
- The complainant and respondent will have the opportunity to make rebuttals or closing arguments.
- Following the hearing, both parties will be provided a written decision based on a preponderance of evidence and the sanctions levied.
Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
For violations of its Code of Conduct, Georgia Gwinnett College may issue the following punishments including, but not limited to:
- Academic probation
- Community service hours
- Educational sanctions like extra assignments or letters of apology
- Restrictions of campus privileges
- Suspension
- Expulsion
Appeals Process at Georgia Gwinnett College
Written appeals must be made to the OSI within five business days of the hearing panel's decision. Wherein sanctions include a separation from studies, at least one of the following must be fulfilled to warrant an appeal.
- Consider information not available at the time of the hearing.
- Procedural errors impacted the hearing's fairness.
- Findings were inconsistent with the evidence provided.
The Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, Provost, or their designees may conclude one of the following during the appeals procedure.
- Affirm original finding and sanction
- Affirm the original finding but issue a new sanction
- Remand the case back to the panel to correct a procedural or factual defect
- Reverse or dismiss the case
How Joseph D. Lento Can Help You Defeat Academic Misconduct Allegations
If you're subject to Georgia Gwinnett College's disciplinary process, you need proven help. The risk to your academic career is too significant to do it alone.
Student defense advisor Joseph D. Lento and his team at the Lento Law Firm have handled student discipline matters and negotiations with administrators involving hundreds of colleges and universities across the country. Lento and his team have formed valuable relationships with many representatives in the school's internal Office of General Counsel (OGC).
He and his team know how to help college and university officials see positive options serving both the student and the school far better than severe punitive actions. For expert advice, call 888-535-3686 to discuss how Joseph D. Lento can protect you or use the online consultation form.
