At Loyola University Chicago, students must adhere to high standards of academic, professional, and personal conduct. As a university that promotes scholarship and learning through academic fairness, Loyola takes violations of its academic misconduct code very seriously. The School of Law at Loyola University also holds its law students responsible for their behavior, expecting ethical and honest conduct at all times.
Law students who do not meet the School of Law's standards for academic and professional behavior may face penalties. Practicing lawyers must demonstrate qualities that the profession requires, including honesty, transparency, and integrity. Students that do not exhibit these values cast doubt on their ability to become lawyers and may find it difficult to be accepted by a state bar association. The stain of an academic misconduct incident can also follow law students as they try to obtain clerkships or employment as well.
If you are a law student at Loyola University Chicago facing an allegation of academic or professional misconduct, consider contacting an experienced student defense attorney-advisor.
Student Misconduct at Loyola School of Law
At the Loyola University School of Law, students must follow the Code of Conduct. This Code governs law student behavior, describing what constitutes a violation. The Code applies to all students who attend the School of Law at Loyola University and helps instill students with the personal and professional ethics and values that are critical to the profession of law. The law school's Code of Conduct is supplemental to the Loyola University Chicago Community Standards Handbook, the policies of which law students must also follow.
When they enter the Loyola School of Law, students must familiarize themselves with the Code of Conduct, the Plagiarism Policy, and other policies concerning the Law Library and Computing Center.
Examples of academic misconduct at Loyola School of Law
- Plagiarism
- Dishonesty or misrepresentation in the submission of work for credit or publication
- Cheating
- Fabrication
- Falsification or sabotage of research data
- Destruction or misuse of the University's academic resources
- Alteration or falsification of academic records
- Complicity
The above list is not extensive, as any behavior that is intentionally dishonest, lacks evidence of integrity or trustworthiness, or may unfairly impinge upon the rights or privileges of a member of the law school community is also prohibited.
Examples of professional misconduct at Loyola School of Law
The Code of Conduct also prohibits forms of personal and professional misconduct:
- Improper use of a device to make a recording of a class in violation of academic policy
- Misuse, abuse, theft, mutilation, or sequestration of library materials
- Lack of diligence of professional obligations in co-curricular activities such as legal clinics, externships, appellate practicums, and publications
- Violation of the Loyola School of Law Examination Procedures
- Misrepresentation of a material fact to representatives of the University on any official matter connected with academic standing or the receipt of benefits or privileges
- Falsification or misrepresentation related to the admission process
Negligence of the Code of Conduct is not a defense, as students are expected to know what constitutes a violation.
How Loyola School of Law Handles Academic Misconduct
Academic and other misconduct cases start at Loyola School of Law when the Associate Dean of Administration receives a report of a suspected violation. The Associate Dean notifies the accused student, and if the student denies the charges, the Associate Dean will launch an investigation.
Investigation
The Associate Dean of Administration, the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, and the Student Services Coordinator may assist with the investigation. They will speak with both the accused student and witnesses to gather information. If the investigation proves there's not sufficient evidence for the charge, they dismiss the case. If the evidence supports a charge, the Associate Dean will forward the case to a hearing board.
Hearing
The accused student will go before a Hearing Board, which includes three faculty members and two students from the School of Law. At the hearing, the accused student and School of Law administrators can present evidence and call witnesses. Witnesses may present evidence as well, as the hearing is informal and not bound by rules of evidence or court procedures.
If the Hearing Board finds clear and convincing evidence of a Code of Conduct violation, the Board must then decide on sanctions. The Board determines guilt and decides sanction by a majority vote. During the hearing, accused students must represent themselves, but they are allowed to have a non-participating advisor with them.
Appeals
Students can appeal a decision of the Hearing Board with the Dean of the Law School by sending a formal request within seven days of the Board's decision. The Dean will consult with the Chair of the Hearing Board and can approve, modify, or reverse the decision and sanction of the Board. The Dean's decision is final.
Possible Sanctions
Sanctions for Code of Conduct violations include but are not limited to:
- Permanent expulsion
- Expulsion with the right to reapply
- Revocation of an offer of admission
- Revocation of degree
- Suspension
- Probation
- Official reprimand with a report in the student's permanent file
- Failing grade in the exam or course
- Forfeiture of awards or scholarships
- Probations from receiving awards
What Can a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor Do?
If you are facing an allegation of misconduct at Loyola School of Law, you have a lot at stake. An experienced attorney-advisor can help you prepare for the investigation and your hearing and can help coach you on questions to ask your witnesses. They can also review the University's policies to ensure your rights are protected throughout the process. Ultimately, an experienced attorney-advisor will do everything possible to work towards a fair process and a favorable outcome.
Joseph D. Lento has helped hundreds of law students across the country in academic and professional misconduct cases with their colleges and universities. If you want to protect your future as a lawyer, call the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686.
