Established in 1894, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law (IU McKinney) is one of the top nationwide public institutions where students can study law. IU McKinney is part of the Indiana University dyad along with IU Maurer. However, both law schools operate separately and have unique programs. IU McKinney consistently receives recognition for its programs. To maintain its positive reputation, IU McKenney takes a strong stance against all forms of academic misconduct.
The rigors of law school and its rigid standards prepare students for the complex legal field they are about to enter. As a result, students must adhere to high ethical standards and refrain from engaging in academic misconduct. However, unsubstantiated misconduct claims, procedural errors, and even bias harm innocent students and lead to unfair hearings. Without the help of a skilled attorney-advisor, law students face graduation delays, suspension, or even permanent dismissal for academic misconduct.
Academic Misconduct Definitions and Procedures at IU McKinney
According to the IU McKinney honor code, the administration holds law students to the highest standards of personal honor and ethical principles. Engaging in any form of academic misconduct is a direct violation of those principles. It is inconsistent with the institution's educational environment. IU McKenney defines academic misconduct as any action that undermines the school's academic integrity. Some examples listed on IU McKinney’s website include:
- Cheating: Cheating is an attempt to gain or give an unfair academic advantage by using or providing unauthorized assistance. Examples include using outside materials, data, or study aids during a test or academic exercise.
- Fabrication: Students must refrain from falsifying or inventing transcripts, records, academic exercises, reports, laboratory results, and sources.
- Plagiarism: The act of using another individual's work without giving credit is plagiarism. Plagiarism also includes paraphrasing a concept, using someone's illustrated content, formulas, opinions, and adding statistical data without citations.
- Interference: No student at IU McKinney may impede a person's work, offer bribes, favors, or take other actions that affect another person's grade or their academic evaluation.
- Violation of Course Rules: Any breach of the rules established by a department, listed in the syllabus, or made by a professor may lead to penalties.
- Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: Students must not help their peers engage in acts of academic misconduct or use their resources in an unauthorized manner.
Students and faculty members who suspect that someone is engaging in academic misconduct must report the issue to student affairs. As for professors, they must fill out a Faculty Academic Integrity Form and send it to the Office of Student Conduct.
Inquiry Process
IU McKenney Academic misconduct violations have two unique processes based on the nature of the infarction. The first is misconduct by an enrolled student of a course that commits the action relating to that course. The second is misconduct by a student unrelated to the class. The former allows the professor to take action in the case of an infarction, while the latter by the Associate Dean for Student Services.
When faculty members handle misconduct cases, they must inform students of the alleged violation. The student has a chance to respond and defend themselves. In some cases, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs participates in the process, like when a professor requests their involvement. If the professor believes that an infarction occurred, they can impose academic sanctions that range from moderate to severe.
As for cases handled by the Associate Dean for Student Services, they receive a review based on the academic misconduct report. The Associate Dean investigates the matter and searches the student's record for previous incidents to determine whether a hearing is appropriate. Fortunately, students have the right to have an advisor present during a conference.
Appeals
Law students facing sanctions at IU McKinney have the option to appeal. Appeals are valid for claims that they committed misconduct, a faculty member's decision regarding sanctions, or the decision of the Associate Dean for Student Services to impose an additional sanction. They must send the appeal within five days of receiving notice of sanctions to the Dean of the School to receive consideration. The Dean may modify, sustain, or reverse the sanction recommendation or submit it to the Board of Review.
Possible Sanctions for Academic Misconduct
IU McKinney provides an exhaustive list of the possible sanctions for academic misconduct. The more serious the violation, the more severe the penalty. Sanctions include:
- Disciplinary probation
- Grade reduction
- Failing a test or academic assignment
- Failing the course
- Temporary dismissal
- Permanent dismissal from IU McKinney
A suspension or expulsion undermines years of hard work and damages a student's reputation. After such sanctions, students may find it challenging to pick up where they left off. If the violation is severe, they may not have a chance to enroll in another law school altogether due to the notice of expulsion on their transcript. With so much at stake, it is in the student's best interests to fight back using the guidance of a skilled attorney-advisor.
Hiring an Attorney-Advisor
An Attorney-Advisor like Joseph D. Lento understand how stressful facing an academic misconduct charge is for law students and their families. No matter how egregious the alleged infraction is, every law student has the right to effectively fight back and seek justice when their future and career are on the line. With the help of attorney Joseph D. Lento, law students are in safe hands, knowing that they have a legal professional by their side who understands administrative processes and fights for a fair outcome.
You don't have to face a troubling academic misconduct allegation at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law alone. The road to becoming an attorney is not easy – but that doesn't mean ending your dream due to an honest mistake or baseless claim.
Call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 for more information or send a message through the Firm’s online form to get started.
