Some people go to the Philly area for cheesesteaks and soft pretzels; others want to cheer on the Eagles or visit the Liberty Bell. However, the region is also renowned for its highly ranked colleges and universities scattered across Camden, Wilmington, and Philadelphia itself.

These institutions have lofty expectations for their students, including their behavior. That’s why a misconduct allegation could put your status into question, especially if it’s serious. If you’re faced with an investigation or judgment from a school disciplinary committee, don’t hesitate to contact the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out this contact form.

An Overview of Code of Conduct Violations in the Philly Area

Many of the Philly area’s colleges and universities are alike not only in prestige, but in the codes of conduct and disciplinary measures they enforce for their students.

Most Serious Offenses

While students should strive to comply with all rules and policies contained in codes of conduct, some violations carry such heavy weight that they alone could end or derail your academic career. Examples include:

  • Academic Dishonesty: The universities in the Philly area earned their reputations partially due to their high academic standards. Every student must be able to pass their classes without cheating, plagiarizing, fabricating data, misrepresenting results, misusing AI, or engaging in other forms of dishonesty. Violations might cause a student to lose their place at the university they attend.

  • Review your university’s academic integrity policies so that you know what might get you in trouble. For example, Villanova University specifies that submitting the same assignment for multiple courses is considered dishonest.

  • Theft and Property Damage: To facilitate a healthy educational environment, students and staff alike need to trust that the buildings, equipment, and their own personal belongings are safe. Students found guilty of stealing or damaging any property other than their own usually face severe penalties.

You might be surprised by how some universities define property damage or vandalism. For example, Drexel University could accuse you of such a violation simply for changing or altering university property, even if no real harm is done.

Keep in mind, too, that lack of intention is not necessarily a defense in the eyes of some Philly area universities. Take Rutgers University in Camden, NJ, where accidental damage is treated as seriously as purposeful damage. Rutgers also categorizes fraudulently obtaining university services as a form of theft.

  • Abuse or Bullying: Students and staff work best in environments that promote their mental, emotional, and physical safety. Universities in the Philly area, therefore, try to take a hard stance against bullying and abuse.

Most institutions generally agree on what constitutes bullying or abuse, but they often take distinctive approaches. For example, the University of Pennsylvania aims to draw a line between free speech and hate speech, defining the latter as a type of bullying.

Also, note that hazing is increasingly regarded as a form of abuse or harassment. Drexel, Saint Joseph’s, Rutgers, Villanova, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Delaware all define it as such.

  • Sexual and Title IX Violations: Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination or abuse harassment. This encompasses a wide range of violations, including coerced intercourse, stalking, groping, and verbal harassment, to name a few examples.

In the Philly area, some institutions, such as Villanova University, offer support not only for victims but for offenders. It usually comes in the form of counseling, academic schedule changes, housing reassignments, or no-contact orders. However, this won’t replace any disciplinary action deemed necessary.

What are the Possible Consequences?

Since these are the most serious offenses against student codes of conduct, they come with the most serious consequences. This is what you might expect from a guilty verdict:

  • Suspension

  • Expulsion

  • Academic probation

  • Degree revocation

  • Loss of housing, study programs, internships, research opportunities, or special privileges

Penalties like suspension and academic probation might not last long in the grand scheme of your academic career; a semester or two is a common amount of time. However, others may stay in effect for much longer. Every penalty—regardless of its timeline—could potentially destroy your reputation, lower your overall GPA, make you ineligible for desirable jobs, or force you to pay additional loans or fees to finish your education.

The LLF National Law Firm Wants to Help

There are many layers and intricacies to education law. It gets even more complicated alongside every university’s right to enact its own unique rules and policies.

We don’t recommend trying to navigate it all alone. If you’re accused of egregious misconduct at a Philly area college or university, come to the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team for assistance. We offer the following:

Quick Action

You might imagine that disciplinary procedures at a college or university are similar to those in a civil or criminal court, but that’s not necessarily the case. Schools aren’t legally bound to follow due process laws, so they’re more likely to accelerate the investigation and adjudication to please the staff, students, and donors. In other words, you might be rushed to a penalty assignment before you even have time to assess all your options.

You need lawyers who won’t hesitate to tackle your case. The LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team is always prepared to hit the ground running, stride-for-stride with your school.

Unwillingness to Give Up

Maybe your school completed its disciplinary process before you ever had a chance to reach out. That doesn’t mean it’s too late to salvage your education.

The LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team knows the ins and outs of appealing and negotiating a school’s disciplinary decision. We can advocate for you through that process and enlist the aid of the Philly area’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) if necessary.

Consistent Support

Not every Philly area school will allow you to have a lawyer present for disciplinary proceedings. Nevertheless, the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team is committed to your success, so we’ll help you organize evidence and prepare statements and arguments to defend yourself.

Go to the Top College Misconduct Lawyer in the Philly Area

If you’re fortunate enough to get into a college or university in the Philly area, don’t let a misconduct allegation jeopardize your standing. Your future could depend on the outcome of a disciplinary investigation, so as soon as you become aware of it, contact the LLF National Law Firm Education Law Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out this online contact form.

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