The School of Law at Western New England University is dedicated to training members of the legal profession to serve the public, the bar, and the judicial system in the highest and finest traditions in law. The school requires reflective and ethical solutions to legal problems and promotes a tradition of public service in pursuit of the common good.
To help students adhere to the highest degree of professional integrity, Western New England University School of Law has an Honor Code. Students who ignore the code or do not abide by its principles may find themselves facing severe consequences that put their future legal careers at risk. A noted Honor Code violation could prevent a law graduate from passing the bar's character and fitness examination.
If you have been accused of violating Western New England University School of Law's Honor Code, you should consider contacting a student defense legal advisor for help.
The Western New England University School of Law Honor Code
The Honor Code for the School of Law at Western New England University sets forth standards for academic and professional conduct for law students. All students have a duty to know its contents, and ignorance of the Code is not a sufficient defense if found in violation of the Code.
The Honor Code is in the Student Handbook, and every student should receive a copy upon their matriculation at the School of Law. Law students must also comply with policies in the University Code of Conduct.
Examples of Honor Code Violations
The Honor Code at Western New England University School of Law lists several examples of behavior that are considered violations:
- Acquiring information concerning an exam or assignment without the instructor's authorization
- Collaborating with another person without the supervising professor's authorization
- Taking an exam for another student in whole or in part
- Preparing an assignment for another student in whole or in part
- Using materials not authorized by the instructor while taking an exam or completing an assignment
- Quoting without citation or paraphrasing without attribution
- Submitting the same or substantially similar work for more than one course
- Defacing, mutilating, or destroying library material or equipment
- Hiding or knowingly misfiling library material
- Supplying forged, falsified, or altered information while seeking University employment, educational or professional opportunities, or financial aid
- Making a false or misleading statement to the Honor Committee or its representatives
The Process for Suspected Violations of the Honor Code at Western New England University School of Law
When a student is suspected of violating the Honor Code, the process for dealing with it goes through four phases:
- Investigation
- Hearing
- Appeals
Investigation
Anyone who believes the Honor Code has been broken can file a report with the Honor Code Committee. This Committee consists of three faculty members and two students and has the responsibility to resolve all Honor Code matters. Once the Committee receives a report of a suspected Honor Code violation, two investigators (one student and one faculty member) are appointed to look into the matter. The investigators gather evidence and speak to the students involved, although they do not reveal the name of the person who reported the violation.
Once the investigation ends, the investigators present their results to the rest of the Committee, which takes a vote to decide whether to dismiss the matter or continue it. If it's continued, the Committee schedules a hearing.
Hearing
At the hearing, the accused student will go before the Honor Code Committee (not including the two investigators) to present their case. The student can have an external representative of their choice. At the hearing, the student can present evidence, bring forth witnesses, and cross-examine witnesses.
The three members of the Honor Code Committee that did not investigate the matter will make a decision at the end of the hearing and prepare a written opinion within seven days of the hearing. These three Committee members must also recommend a sanction if the accused student is found responsible for an Honor Code violation.
Appeal
Students have the right to appeal the decision, sanction, or both to the School of Law faculty. The student must submit a written notice of appeal to the Chair of the Honor Code Committee within ten days of receiving the hearing decision. There is an appeal hearing at which the accused student can make an oral statement, but it's not a redo of the first hearing. The faculty must vote on whether to grant the appeal, and the decision is final.
Possible Sanctions
Students who violate the Western New England University School of Law Honor Code may face one or more of the following sanctions:
- Expulsion from the School of Law
- Suspension with the opportunity to apply for readmission later
- Suspension
- Partial or total revocation or suspension of scholarship assistance
- Probation
- Removal from any student governmental office of position
- Denial of the privilege of participating in any School of Law or University sponsored extracurricular activity
- Written warning or reprimand with a report to the dean or bar admission authorities
- Verbal warning
- Prohibiting or restricting access to school facilities
- Monetary or other restitution
- Change of grade in a course
- Withdrawal of academic credit in a course
- Receiving no credit for an academic assignment, with or without the opportunity to redo it
Why Contact a Student Defense Attorney-Advisor?
If you have been accused of academic or professional misconduct at Western New England University School of Law, you may be feeling scared or overwhelmed. The formal process for Honor Code violations can be complex and nuanced and without the help of a skilled student defense legal advisor, it may be difficult to navigate. An attorney-advisor can help you gather evidence and prepare your defense, and even represent you at the hearing.
Joseph D. Lento has helped hundreds of students nationwide with academic misconduct issues and has the experience and skills you need to get through this process. Contact the Lento Law Firm by calling 888-535-3686 to protect the future of your law career.
