Carnegie Mellon University is a private university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Carnegie Mellon expects students to perform their best which can make students feel pressure. This stress may cause a student to make bad choices. Cheating, plagiarism, collaboration, and other violations of the honor code are taken seriously. What should a student do if they are accused of violating the academic integrity code? Read on for the answer from a defense lawyer for students.
What are considered violations of the Carnegie Mellon Academic Integrity Code?
Cheating
- Stealing or buying a test, answer key, or other previous course work
- Having another person take an exam
- Copying off another person during an exam
- Falsifying data
Plagiarism
- Turning in the same work to two courses
- Not citing the work of another person
- Claiming scientific data as your own
Unauthorized Assistance
- Collaboration
- Having someone else edit your work
How will a student at Carnegie Mellon know they are accused of violating the Academic Integrity Code?
The student will be contacted by the instructor and given notification that they are suspected of violating the academic integrity process. They will meet with the instructor and can make initial arguments in their defense.If a professor believes that the student did commit a violation of the academic integrity policy, then they will notify the student. The instructor will additionally request a sanction. This information will then go to the Dean for further review.If a student wants to defend themselves against the accusation, they must notify the Dean within one week of receiving the penalty. The student must file an appeal within two weeks of the penalty date. The appeal will then give the student the opportunity to appeal before the Academic Review Board.
What happens at a Carnegie Mellon Academic Review Board?
The student must be prepared to present and question witnesses, make statements regarding evidence, and answer questions asked by the panel. This is the student’s chance at making a solid defense presentation. Detailed preparation for an honor code hearing is a must.
Can you serve as my adviser at my Carnegie Mellon hearing?
Yes. I prepare a student to present their defense and assist throughout the academic review board hearing. Panel hearings can be intimidating, and students often fail to realize how prepared they must be to succeed.
What types of punishment can a Carnegie Mellon student face if they are found guilty of an academic integrity violation?
There are a range of sanctions from a disciplinary warning up to expulsion. The sanction will depend on the severity of the accusation and the effectiveness of the student’s defense presentation.
Can I appeal a sanction from a Carnegie Mellon academic review board hearing?
Yes. After a student receives a decision, they have 7 calendar days to submit a written appeal. Students should also note that like many other universities, Carnegie Mellon restricts the grounds for appeal to just a few. They are:
- Gross error in procedural process
- Too harsh of a sanction
- The decision was not consistent with the evidence
- New information
These limit appeal categories can be a challenge for students to overcome. I also write student disciplinary appeals. Using my skills as an appellate attorney, I have specialized skills that excel at issue spotting and crafting persuasive arguments.
Can you help me fight my academic violation at Carnegie Mellon?
Yes. I assist students throughout the United States to defend academic violations. Using my nearly two decades of legal experience combined with unique knowledge of the student disciplinary process, I give students the best chance at a successful outcome.
Call now for a free consultation. (855-338-5299
Richard Asselta is an award-winning attorney who assists Carnegie Mellon students facing academic integrity violations. Call today to avoid suspension, dismissal or expulsion.Click here to read what clients are saying about Richard on AVVO, an attorney review website. https://www.cmu.edu/student-affairs/theword/The%20Word%202018-2019%20-%20PDF%20Archive.pdf