Attendees of colleges and universities have likely sat through one too many lectures about academic integrity throughout the course of their educational career. Since the time you were young, you were taught about the importance of being honest, responsible and accountable about how you manage your original academic ideas and coursework and the intellectual property of others. Unlike high school and prior educational levels, the repercussions for committing actions that fall under the umbrella of academic misconduct can cost you more than a simple “write up,” or a phone call to your parents.
Unsurprisingly enough, many of the students who are accused of academic misconduct are completely oblivious to the fact that they were committing said violation, and are misinformed as to what constitutes these charges in the first place. For the purposes of this article, we will address (1) what academic misconduct is, (2) and examples of actions that could lead to academic misconduct allegations.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic misconduct occurs when a student fails to comply with ethical academic standards imposed by a school. And in Philadelphia, most, if not all higher education educations have implemented regulations that outright prohibit all instances of academic misconduct. Students who are found responsible for this violation of school policy experience pretty harsh consequences.
Academic Misconduct Charges
It's important to note that there are a broad range of actions that could potentially constitute as academic misconduct. Oftentimes, students find themselves unaware of the fact that what they may be doing is still considered a violation of school policy, especially if these actions do not consist of traditional academic misconduct mishaps like plagiarism, fabrication and cheating. For more insight on what behaviors could lead to a student booted from their program, suspended or even expelled, here is a list of common examples and circumstances that constitute as academic misconduct:
- Selling, distributing, or posting lecture notes, records, handouts or other information created by an professor, or using them for commercial purposes without the permission of a professor
- Submitting the same assignment for more than one course without the prior approval of all of the instructors involved
- Plagiarism and/or paraphrasing another person's phraseology, metaphor, or literary device without acknowledgement
- Stealing another person's assignment, book, experiment, paper, software, or notes
- Forging a professor's signature on a letter of recommendation or any other document
- Obtaining a copy of an exam or assignment prior to it being approved and distributed by a professor
- Using unauthorized materials, written notes, prepared answers or hidden information during an exam
- Copying or attempting to copy from other students on an assignment or during an exam.
Philadelphia College Academic Misconduct Attorney
As a student, being pinned with academic misconduct charges is a pretty serious matter. And with so much at stake, it is important that they are defended adequately. If you or your student is charged with a disciplinary violation involving academic misconduct, you should consult with an experienced attorney. Student defense attorneys at LLF Law Firm have helped other students who have been in this predicament avoid dire repercussions that could have compromised their academic and professional goals, and they can do the same for you. Contact LLF Law Firm today for assistance at 888-535-3686.
Philadelphia colleges and universities where LLF Law Firm can help during academic misconduct investigations, hearings, and appeals include, but are not limited to, the following schools:
- CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE
- DREXEL UNIVERSITY
- HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY
- LA SALLE UNIVERSITY
- PEIRCE COLLEGE
- PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (PCOM)
- ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY (ST. JOE'S)
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY
- UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (PENN)
- UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
- UNIVERSITY OF THE SCIENCES
It is an unfortunate reality that academic misconduct charges can upend an accused student's life if not properly addressed, and the LLF Law Firm have unparalleled experience passionately fighting for the future of clients at colleges and universities in Philadelphia and throughout the nation. They do not settle for the easiest outcome, and instead prioritizes clients' needs and well-being. LLF Law Firm represents clients nationwide, and serve as an academic misconduct advisor for students facing disciplinary cases in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation. Make certain your or your student's interests are protected - Contact LLF Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
