You never expected to face accusations of misconduct when you started at California State University, Long Beach. Even seemingly minor infractions can threaten your academic career at Cal State Long Beach, so you must take them seriously. Whether you're being wrongfully accused, or you've made a mistake, your future shouldn't be ruined over a single incident.
At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team is here to guide you through the disciplinary action process. We ensure your rights are protected and your best defense is presented to get you back on track at Cal State Long Beach. Let us help you; call us at 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
Misconduct Allegations at Cal State Long Beach
Misconduct accusations at Cal State Long Beach can take many forms. At the Lento Law Firm, we see students getting into trouble for actions both on and off campus. Misconduct tends to fall into one of the following three categories, each with its own disciplinary action processes.
Academic Misconduct
- Cheating on exams or assignments
- Unauthorized collaboration
- Plagiarism
- Falsification or fabrication of university documents
- Unauthorized use of AI technology
- Multiple submissions without the professor's consent
Student Conduct Code Violations
- Disruption of university activities
- Hazing
- Use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Use, possession, or distribution of alcohol
- Theft
- Property damage
- Possession of weapons
- Misuse of computer facilities or resources
- Physical or verbal harassment
- Assault
- Falsification or misrepresentation of information in a student discipline matter
- Initiation of a student discipline proceeding in both faith
- Any violation of local, state, or federal law
Title IX Violations
- Sexual harassment
- Sexual assault
- Dating violence
- Domestic violence
- Stalking
Cal State Long Beach Disciplinary Action Process
What the disciplinary action process looks like for you depends on the misconduct you are being accused of. The Lento Law Firm attorney can walk you through the entire disciplinary action process applicable to your case, but below is a brief overview of the methods for each type of misconduct you may be accused of.
Academic Misconduct
At Cal State Long Beach, the professor addresses misconduct accusations first. If you've been accused of academic misconduct, your professor will notify you of the allegations, provide you with a copy of Cal State's Academic Integrity Policy, and call you for an informal conference.
During the conference, your professor will explain the charges against you and show you the evidence supporting the allegations against you. Your professor may request that you demonstrate your knowledge or skills, whether through an exam, assignment, or other means of assessing your academic performance. Essentially, they are giving you the chance to prove you didn't commit the academic misconduct you are being accused of. It is completely up to you whether to comply with this request – you can't be punished for not taking it.
Ideally, you and your professor will come to an informal resolution at the conference, and the matter won't be pursued further, but that isn't always the case. Your professor may submit an Academic Integrity Form to the Office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development (OSCED) requesting the following:
- No action will be taken
- A written opinion from the Academic Integrity Committee
- Require the student to repeat the assignment
- Reduce the student's grade on the assignment to zero
- Assign the student a failing or reduced course grade
- Assign a grade of “I”
If you've been accused of cheating or plagiarism, your case will likely go before the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC). The AIC reviews the information and evidence provided by the professor, the student, and other parties and issues an opinion. The opinion isn't a final decision in the case; it's just an opinion. If it supports the student's position, they can use the opinion to ask the professor to alter their disciplinary action choice or use the opinion as evidence in a grade appeal.
If your case isn't referred to AIC or handled by your professor, it will go through the disciplinary action process for all Student Conduct Code violations discussed in the section below.
Student Conduct Code Violations
The first thing that will happen after you are accused of misconduct is that OSCED will review your case. Each case is assigned to a Student Conduct Administrator. If they don't find any evidence of Student Conduct Code violation, the case against you will be dismissed. If there is evidence, you will be charged with a violation, and an informal conference will be scheduled for you to meet with the Student Conduct Administrator.
The Student Conduct Administrator will discuss the disciplinary action process with you, review the charges and evidence against you, and hear your side of the story. The Student Conduct Administrator may try to resolve your case at the conference and have you sign an agreement. When you sign an agreement, you waive your right to fight the charges against you and accept the proposed disciplinary action. You should never sign or agree to anything without first consulting the Lento Law Firm attorney.
If a resolution isn't reached during your meeting with the Student Conduct Administrator, you will receive notice of a formal disciplinary hearing, which will be held before a Hearing Officer. At the hearing, both you and the Student Conduct Administrator will present your sides of the story, show evidence, and call witnesses if necessary.
After the hearing, the Hearing Officer will determine whether it is "more likely than not" that you committed the misconduct you are accused of. The Hearing Officer will draft and send a report with their determination and proposed sanctions to the President for review. The Cal State Long Beach President will then accept or modify the recommendations, and you will receive notice of the outcome of your case.
Title IX Violations
Title IX violation cases at Cal State Long Beach are handled differently than other misconduct cases. They are addressed using the requirements of the federal law called Title IX and by a different office than other misconduct, the Office of Equity and Compliance.
Title IX cases can be difficult to navigate; the law is often changing, and there are strict requirements for how the cases are investigated, how hearings are conducted, what evidence can be presented, and more. Fortunately, the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team is well-versed in Title IX proceedings at Cal State Long Beach. The Lento Law Firm attorney will explain every step, from being assigned a Title IX Coordinator to investigating, hearings, and appeals.
Sanctions at Cal State Long Beach
When you're found guilty of misconduct, Cal State Long Beach has a few options for sanctions. While the Lento Law Firm attorney will do everything in their power for you to just get a slap on the wrist, it's possible you could be facing other sanctions, including:
- Receiving an F on an exam or assignment
- Receiving an F in a course
- Educational seminars
- Written warning
- Disciplinary probation
- Restitution
- Suspension
- Dismissal
Disciplinary Action Appeals at Cal State Long Beach
If you've been found guilty of misconduct at Cal State Long Beach, you may be able to appeal your case. Maybe you went through the disciplinary action process on your own, without the guidance of an attorney, and aren't happy with the outcome. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has helped numerous Cal State Long Beach students in the disciplinary appeals process.
Protect Your Future – Retain the Lento Law Firm Today
Don't let misconduct accusations destroy your Cal State Long Beach academic career. Let the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team fight for you, your rights, and your future. Get started with us today by calling 888-535-3686 or contact us online.
