Matt Keenan
Schools are always on the look out for academic dishonesty. Privately, many professors believe that cheating and plagiarism are widespread problems. Students may also be accused of fabricating information, having someone else take your exam, tampering with grades, possessing unauthorized material during an exam such as a crib sheet, or submitting work written by another student. Some schools actively encourage their students to report cheaters, even going so far as to promise anonymity to the accuser. Sometimes an innocuous action such as borrowing a piece of paper can be interpreted as cheating on an exam.
The consequences of an academic dishonesty violation vary from failing the exam to failing the course to, worst of all, expulsion. Such a charge can have a devastating impact on your career.
If you are charged with academic dishonesty in Illinois, your school’s policy manual should outline the procedures necessary to contest the charge. You generally are entitled to some sort of hearing. If you are charged with a conduct code violation, please feel free to contact me immediately to discuss your options. I can help review your school’s conduct code and plan the strategy for your defense. Some schools will not allow an attorney to participate at the hearing. Nonetheless, I can advise you on how best to present your evidence and yourself. I can also help with an appeal at the administrative–or school–level.
Please note that this office is only licensed to practice in Illinois and cannot answer questions about cases in other states.
