The University of Kansas (KU) provides an exceptional college education to students in many areas of study, including business, engineering, and education. KU has a long history as a reputable university, and its administration expects students to represent the school's values by demonstrating honesty and respect throughout their time at the school.
Like all other universities, KU has a strict policy regarding academic integrity. Students found to have violated the school's academic policies can receive academic sanctions or even serious disciplinary actions, such as expulsion. We believe in holding students accountable for breaking the rules, but unfortunately, students often receive false allegations of behavior, and students may find it challenging to manage the process on their own.
If a KU faculty member accused you of committing an academic infraction, the allegation and the penalty you receive can stay on your academic record forever. Keep reading to learn about how a University of Kansas college academic misconduct advisor can help you protect your future.
Expectations for Academic Integrity at KU
According to the Academic Misconduct Policies and Procedures maintained by KU's College Advising & Student Services department, every KU student has a responsibility to complete their coursework in accordance with the school's guidelines. While each college and department within the KU system provides students with academic policy guidelines pertaining to their field of study, all policies and procedures are uniform across the university.
KU requires that students take an honest approach to every academic responsibility, including:
- Completing assignments
- Writing papers
- Taking tests
- Following the specific rules set forth by each instructor
Students accused of violating these rules can face serious consequences.
Examples of Academic Dishonesty at KU
If an instructor observes or suspects that a student has committed academic misconduct in any way, they can submit an allegation regarding the activity. Some examples of academic dishonesty students can receive sanctions for at KU include:
- Disrupting classes
- Intimidating an instructor or student in a classroom setting
- Sharing notes or test materials with another student during an examination
- Failing to cite a resource intentionally
- Forging signatures
- Committing plagiarism
- Falsifying research
- Cheating on tests or assignments
- Attempting to change a grade
- Failing to follow the ethical procedures for the treatment of animals and humans in research studies
This list is extensive, but it is not exhaustive. Students may receive academic misconduct allegations at KU for other offenses as well.
Potential Sanctions at KU for Academic Misconduct Allegations
Any KU instructor can submit an allegation of academic misconduct against a student. When this happens, the college or department will be informed of the violation. If the student is accused of dishonesty in research, the Office of Research Integrity will also be notified.
As outlined in Article II, Section 6 of the University Senate Rules and Regulations, KU can implement one of several sanctions. If the student disputes the charge, KU faculty will schedule a hearing. The level of the hearing depends on the sanction. The review of these disciplinary actions occurs at a department- or unit-level hearing:
- Censure: The student receives a written warning for the violation.
- Grade reduction for a course: The student receives a lower grade for the course in which the violation occurred.
- Grade reduction for an assignment: The student receives a lower grade on the assignment in question.
In other cases, hearings take place at a university level. Any hearing can occur on this level if the department or unit is not big enough to have the hearing or if there is a conflict within the department. However, hearings about these specific types of sanctions always occur at a university level:
- Transcript citations: The student's college transcript permanently states that the student received an academic misconduct citation. This sanction also allows university officials to determine the student's grade for the course, which may be a failing grade.
- Course suspension: The student might receive a temporary suspension from the course while the university makes a decision. The student cannot withdraw during this period.
- School suspension: KU may suspend the student from all courses and activities for up to two years.
- Expulsion: KU can terminate the student's enrollment in the university permanently.
These sanctions are permanently on the student's record unless they have an appeal for removal approved by the University Provost.
Academic Misconduct Hearings at KU
If an academic misconduct case warrants a hearing, the Dean will schedule one during one of five sessions: August, October, December, February, or May. No less than three faculty members plus the accused student will attend. The student can bring legal counsel, and the University General Counsel will attend as well.
Each party can also bring a witness. If the student chooses to bring a witness, they must inform the school no later than ten days before the hearing. After hearing arguments from both the student and the reporting faculty member, the hearing panel makes a decision and informs the Dean and University Provost.
All hearings are audio recorded, and the unit conducting the hearing keeps the audio recording for at least 60 days after the hearing takes place. If the student decides to appeal, the unit must keep the audio recording until the appeal is finalized.
KU Academic Misconduct Appeals Process
Either party can submit an appeal if they do not agree with the decision made at the hearing. All requests for appeal must be submitted within 30 days of the hearing board's decision. The Judicial Board will then review the hearing and the sanction and determine whether to uphold the decision or overturn it.
Your College Academic Misconduct Advisor
If you're accused of academic dishonesty at the University of Kansas, you may feel confused or anxious about how to proceed. You do not have to handle your case alone. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has spent years helping students like you defend their reputations and fight back against unfair accusations. Contact the Lento Law Firm today at 855-535-3686 for help from an experienced academic misconduct advisor.
