To say that the world of higher education is big on integrity is an understatement. Academic communities like the University of Notre Dame can only thrive when every member is fully committed to the principles of academic integrity. To ensure students reach their educational goals, the University of Notre Dame has enforced a number of rules that serve to preserve and maintain academic integrity in all scholastic endeavors.
Students who break these rules, knowingly or accidentally, will be accused of academic misconduct. Accusations of academic misconduct are serious and will be punished through the school's judicial system. Guilty determinations of academic misconduct have been known to jeopardize students' college careers and affect their professional lives down the line as well.
In this article, we'll address how the University of Notre Dame handles allegations of academic misconduct and why you need a student defense attorney to assist you through the process once accused.
How does the University of Notre Dame Define “Academic Misconduct?”
Academic integrity is the expectation that students will make choices that reflect integrity and responsible behavior. The University of Notre Dame outlines the behavior that constitutes academic misconduct. It includes:
Plagiarism: using the ideas, research, or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment. The only way to avoid plagiarism is to attribute others' contributions in your work, no matter how miniscule that contribution is. If all else fails, trust the value of your own intellect.
Unauthorized Collaboration: collaborating with another student or students beyond the extent specifically approved by the instructor. If the syllabus does not include a policy on collaboration, students must ask the instructor for clarification before assuming that collaboration in the completion of assignments is permitted.
Cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or study aids in examinations or other academic work or preventing, or attempting to prevent another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids. Some examples of cheating are copying answers from another student, asking another student to do your work for you, fabricating results, or using electronic or other devices during exams. To completely avoid cheating, the best way is to do original work for each class.
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: knowingly helping or attempting to help another student violate any provision of the Code. An example of this is working together on a take-home exam.
Misconduct can occur in any academic situation including, but not limited to, a course research project, independent study, presentation, qualifying examination, preliminary examination, or dissertation.
The University of Notre Dame's Procedure for Resolving Cases of Academic Dishonesty
Students accused of academic infractions will endure the following disciplinary stages:
Initiation of Allegation
Any allegation of academic dishonesty will be directed to the dean of the school in which the respondents holds or held appointments. The dean will then determine whether there are reasonable grounds for believing that the allegation is sufficiently credible, and if true, would constitute academic dishonesty.
If it is determined that there are reasonable grounds for such allegations, the Inquiry Committee will be appointed to examine the allegation.
Inquiry
The Inquiry Committee will interview the instructor and respondent to further understand the allegations and to come up with a determination. Normally within 60 days after receiving charges, the committee will prepare a written report for the dean setting forth its conclusions and the evidentiary basis for those conclusions.
Investigation
The Investigation Committee is responsible for doing the work to prove that academic dishonesty did, in fact, occur. This means impounding any materials which the committee believes are relevant, hearing the testimony of both sides, and assessing evidence submitted by both sides. An investigation usually lasts no longer than 120 days.
Report of Investigation
Upon completion of its investigation, the Investigation Committee will prepare a written report consisting of the following three parts:
- A summary of the substance of the documents, the testimony, and other forms of evidence which the Investigation Committee relied upon in reaching its conclusion
- A statement of the Committee's findings of fact and the conclusions it has drawn from those facts
- The Committee's recommendation, if any, as to what actions the Dean should undertake.
Appeal
Any person accused of academic misconduct who believes that the allegation was improperly reviewed, may appeal in writing to the provost.
Any appeal shall be delivered to the provost by the date that is 30 calendar days after the date of the dean's notice to the respondent. Additional time may be provided by the provost in his or her discretion, and only upon prompt application and for compelling reasons.
In considering such an appeal, the provost will limit his or her review to determining whether appropriate procedures and standards were applied.
Academic Integrity Attorney for Notre Dame Students
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. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped students who've acquired serious academic misconduct charges recover from these allegations, and he can do the same for you. Contact him today at 888-535-3686 for more information.
