The University of Louisville's Cardinal Principles establishes the school's values: community, accountability, respect, diversity and inclusion, integrity and transparency, noble purpose, agility, and leadership. To support these principles, the University of Louisville expects all students to uphold its Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities.
The Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities establishes the standards of conduct and accountability at the university. Students must practice academic honesty in all endeavors. If you violate this rule, you face strict discipline from university officials. Unlike other schools, the University of Louisville has a separate disciplinary process for matters of academic dishonesty.
If a University of Louisville member accuses you of academic dishonesty, you may face many hurdles throughout your investigation. Let's review the school policies and how you can fight back against allegations.
University of Louisville Academic Dishonesty
The Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities states that the University of Louisville pursues excellence in its work to educate and serve the community with integrity. Academic dishonesty is in direct contrast with these values. In general, academic dishonesty refers to obtaining or trying to obtain an unfair academic advantage.
While the university can punish any dishonest conduct in academic exercises, it forbids the following behaviors:
- Cheating. Cheating includes many dishonest acts. Examples of cheating include using unauthorized study aids, copying another person's paper, purchasing old tests and exams, and collaborating with other students without permission.
- Fabrication. Fabrication means inventing or falsifying information regarding experience. It includes making up anything about internships, clinics, or courses.
- Falsification. Falsification is altering academic information. Examples of fabrication include altering data, forging someone's signature, or falsely citing a source.
- Multiple Submission. The University of Louisville prohibits students from submitting the same or substantially the same work for credit more than once without permission.
- Plagiarism. You cannot use the words or ideas of someone else and present them as your own. Plagiarism examples include submitting a paper written by another, failing to quote sources, or paraphrasing someone's work without acknowledging the source.
- Complicity in academic dishonesty. The University of Louisville also forbids students from helping or attempting to help others commit academic dishonesty.
Students bear the responsibility for their behavior. If you are unsure whether something constitutes academic dishonesty, you should check with your instructors to review their policies.
What Happens if I'm Accused of Academic Dishonesty?
The University of Louisville does not cover academic dishonesty in its Code of Student Conduct. As a result, students charged with academic dishonesty do not receive the same disciplinary process as other conduct violations. Unlike with conduct proceedings, you do not have the right to a student conduct hearing in academic dishonesty cases.
If you face an academic dishonesty violation, the disciplinary process falls under the jurisdiction of the academic unit involved. A faculty member can impose any academic punishment they deem suitable. Their decision regarding responsibility and sanctions is final. You have no right to appeal their decision.
Punishments for Academic Dishonesty
Specific punishments for academic dishonesty are in the Louisville student handbook, also known as the Redbook. If a faculty member finds you responsible for academic dishonesty, they will decide on an academic sanction for the individual course involved. You may receive a failing grade on the assignment, a reduced course grade, or a failing grade for the course.
An academic dishonesty charge can also have long-term effects on your academic career. A faculty member can choose to put you on probation, temporarily remove you from the course, or permanently dismiss you from the program.
They can also submit a recommendation to the University Provost to suspend or expel you from all other academic programs. If this occurs, the Provost has four weeks to issue a final decision regarding the proposed sanctions. The appropriate dean will notify you of any sanctions that affect your academic status.
A disciplinary sanction does not only impact your standing at the University of Louisville, but it can also jeopardize your future. The Dean of Students Office keeps records of disciplinary action against students. They may divulge disciplinary conduct if they receive a record request. The disciplinary record may hurt you during background checks for employment, graduate school admission, study abroad programs, and more.
How an Attorney-Advisor Can Help
You must take steps to effectively defend yourself if you face an academic dishonesty allegation from as early as possible in the disciplinary process. An academic dishonesty charge can derail your academic career and limit your educational and professional opportunities in the future.
If you face an academic dishonesty allegation, the best thing you can do is hire an attorney-advisor. An experienced attorney can prepare you for conversations with faculty members and identify opportunities to challenge the accusations.
An attorney can also help you file a grievance with the Unit Academic Grievance Committee. The University of Louisville allows students who face discrimination, unfair treatment, or rights violations to file a grievance one year from the date of the event. You must submit a written statement providing evidence of mistreatment to file a grievance.
You must follow protocol throughout this process. An attorney will help you review your rights and identify sufficient grounds for a case hearing. As an experienced advisor, a student discipline attorney will give you the best opportunity to overturn the academic sanction.
If you face an academic dishonesty allegation, there's no denying that you'll also face numerous obstacles. An attorney can help you every step of the way to ensure you receive fair treatment. They can protect your rights and work to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Your Student Discipline Advisor
The University of Louisville goes to great lengths to punish and prevent academic dishonesty. Your future depends on your ability to push back against false allegations, and if you made a mistake, to seek mitigation and fair outcome.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento is an experienced student discipline advisor who has helped countless students challenge one-sided disciplinary proceedings and university officials. For many years, he has fought to protect students and reduce and dismiss academic dishonesty charges. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to speak with attorney Joseph D. Lento and his team today.
