No one is immune to academic misconduct allegations – not even prominent university officials. As UW-Madison's most prominent diversity officer, LaVar Charleston, faces a slew of academic misconduct allegations dating back decades, serious questions arise: what is plagiarism, and what should you do if you're facing similar accusations? Our Student Defense Team explores the implications for students below. But in the meantime, should you need urgent assistance with an academic misconduct matter, don't hesitate to call the Lento Law Firm at 888.535.3686 or reach us online.  

What Is Charleston Accused Of? 

An anonymous complaint accuses Charleston of multiple counts of plagiarism dating back to 2010. It's alleged that Charleston copied parts of old academic papers, included them in newer articles, and attempted to pass this “recycled” work off as new research. There are also complaints that Charleston allegedly copied other scholars' work and passed it off as his own.  

What's the issue in contention? Plagiarism.  

Plagiarism is, essentially, copying anyone else's work and presenting it as your own, or using someone else's words, research, or findings without crediting them properly. If a student presents work which is not new or original, it can be considered plagiarism. That's why it's possible to self-plagiarize: using research from an old paper you wrote is still technically plagiarism (even if the concept of stealing from yourself is a little abstract).  

Academic Misconduct and Procedural Fairness 

It's impossible to comment on whether there's truth behind the accusations here, or what the outcome may be. However, the story does raise serious questions around procedural fairness.  

For one thing, the accusations relate to academic papers dating as far back as 2010. That's almost 25 years ago. Should there be a point at which academic misconduct accusations are time-barred? Otherwise, there's a risk that academics will forever have the threat of a mistake or oversight from decades ago coming back to haunt them.  

There's also the issue of anonymous reporting. Anyone can make academic misconduct complaints. And schools are obliged to take such complaints seriously. For students, this means that there's always the chance they could face malicious or exaggerated complaints, with little to no truth behind them.   

What do these questions mean for students? While we don't have all the answers, we do know that if you're facing plagiarism or related accusations, you need all the help you can get.  

What to Do if You're Facing Academic Misconduct Accusations 

Schools may be required to investigate academic misconduct such as plagiarism, but they have a responsibility to treat every student fairly. Academic misconduct, if proven, can result in probation, suspension, or even dismissal from a program. Given the severity of the consequences, students must have a fair opportunity to respond to the accusations, challenge the school's evidence, and defend their reputations on campus. The school's definition of what is considered plagiarism must also be clear and definitive. Otherwise, students may accidentally self-plagiarize.  

The Lento Law Firm can help with any of these issues. As experienced student defense attorneys, our Student Defense Team will ensure that your school upholds due process and gives you every chance to defend yourself. Whether we're challenging the accusations or negotiating a mitigated punishment, the Lento Law Firm is on your side. Call now at 888.535.3686 or talk to us online to discuss representation.