The University of the Pacific's Honor Code requires students to “exhibit a high degree of maturity, responsibility, and personal integrity.” Members of the University of the Pacific must act honestly in all matters and encourage academic integrity. Violating the Honor Code can result in an academic misconduct violation.
Being found guilty of academic misconduct can jeopardize your college career and your future. If you or someone you know faces an academic misconduct violation at the University of the Pacific, you must familiarize yourself with their disciplinary proceedings. In this article, we'll review the University of the Pacific's academic misconduct procedures and discuss how an attorney can help you navigate this process.
The University of the Pacific's Academic Misconduct Policy
The University of the Pacific Student Code of Conduct provides an overview of its academic misconduct policy. Nicknamed Tiger Lore, the Student Code of Conduct is a go-to resource for students that describes university rules and procedures.
According to Tiger Lore, the University of the Pacific students may not participate in any forms of academic dishonesty. Although many violations of the Honor Code are forms of academic dishonesty, Tiger Lore provides two umbrella categories for academic dishonesty.
Cheating
Cheating is giving or receiving an unauthorized dishonest advantage. Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following acts:
- Using unauthorized resources in an assignment or as a study aid
- Copying graded work or allowing another student to copy your work
- Selling course work
- Working together on an assignment without permission
- Copying another student during an exam
- Giving another student answers or assistance during an exam
- Using notes or text during an exam without permission
- Doing any course work for another student without permission
- Using unauthorized technology or communication tools during an exam
- Engaging in prohibited behavior during class
Plagiarism
Presenting the work or opinions of another without proper acknowledgment. Plagiarism examples include, but are not limited to:
- Failing to give credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived from someone else
- Failing to properly quote or cite the work of another
- Submitting an assignment purchased from a term paper service
- Submitting an assignment obtained from the internet or an unauthorized resource
- Giving a speech or presentation written by another and claiming it as your own
Tiger Lore prohibits other forms of academic dishonesty that fall outside these categories. Examples include altering grades, misappropriating tests, and submitting the same paper in multiple classes.
The University of the Pacific's Disciplinary Process
If a university official accuses you of academic dishonesty, you might be unsure of how to proceed. The university will begin by conducting an initial review meeting. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to meet with a hearing officer to discuss the violation.
The hearing officer will provide you with information and evidence regarding your alleged violation. You can use this meeting to provide your side of the story and present relevant evidence. After this meeting, the hearing officer will determine whether you are responsible or not responsible for the alleged violation and decided on sanctions.
If the hearing officer determines you are responsible for academic misconduct, you must not give up. The University of the Pacific allows students found responsible for violating the Honor Code with a chance to request a Board Hearing. A Board Hearing is a new opportunity to review your case in front of a Student Conduct Review Board.
What Happens During a Board Hearing?
A review board comprised of students, faculty members, and staff members conduct Board Hearings. A Board Hearing is a formal inquiry into the alleged violation that involves a review of the evidence, interviews of witnesses, and statements by the reporting and responding parties.
During the Board Hearing, the reporting party will make an impact statement, and you will have an opportunity to respond. Both parties can call witnesses with information about the alleged incident. Following these procedures, the review board will determine if you are guilty of the alleged violation. The review board must follow the preponderance of the evidence to find students guilty of an Honor Code violation. Based on this rule, the board must see it as more likely than not that you committed the infraction to find you guilty.
The University of the Pacific's Punishments for Academic Misconduct
You must take academic misconduct allegations seriously. If the University of the Pacific finds you guilty of academic misconduct, your academic career may be at stake. The Student Conduct Review Board takes the severity of the violation, your behavior, and past conduct record into account when determining sanctions.
Potential sanctions for academic misconduct include:
- Disciplinary warning
- Dismissal from the university
- Suspension from the university
- Disciplinary probation
- Ineligibility for graduation
- Restitution
Although these are the examples provided in Tiger Lore, Hearing Officers and Student Conduct Review Boards may choose to impose additional sanctions. They determine sanctions on a case by case basis.
Using an Attorney-Advisor
Going through a disciplinary hearing can be a long and difficult experience. You must have an expert by your side. An attorney-advisor can help you navigate the disciplinary proceedings and get your life back on track.
Many students accused of academic misconduct use attorneys to help them reduce sanctions, challenge allegations, and clear their names. Although a university disciplinary hearing is not a legal proceeding, an attorney can be instrumental to your case. They can help you collect evidence and witness testimony before your hearing.
Attorneys can also challenge university officials. They can identify procedural errors, biased decisions, and opportunities for appeals. With so much at stake, you need experience on your side. An attorney gives you the best opportunity to receive a “not responsible” decision and move on with your life.
Your Student-Discipline Attorney
Are you looking for an attorney to help you in your academic misconduct case? Joseph D. Lento is here to help. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has gained a reputation as one of the fiercest student-discipline attorneys in the country. He has spent many years helping students like you achieve favorable results in disciplinary hearings. Contact the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation today.
