As a student, you always strive to put forth your best work. You ask a friend to read a paper or review a class assignment for feedback. You take your friends feedback and submit the assignment to your professor. Then you receive an email from the professor or academic integrity office asking to meet. You are being accused of cheating by collaborating with others. What should you do? Read on for tips from a defense lawyer for university students.
What is Collaboration?
Collaboration means that you were working with others without approval of the instructor. So, if you form a study group, use message boards or group files like google docs, or help edit other students work, you can be accused of unauthorized collaboration.
The professor didn’t say collaboration was prohibited.
You are right. Many professors will not tell students they cannot collaboration. However, most professors take the position that collaboration is never allowed unless they specifically say you can work with others. Some professors will put a sentence in their syllabus that says they do not allow collaboration, but students often overlook details like this.
How do you defend an accusation of cheating by collaboration?
Your defense strategy depends on the specifics of your case. Each student I have worked with has had different circumstances. The strategy to a successful academic integrity defense is unique to you, but there are always arguments that can be made.
Can you help me defend an accusation of collaboration?
Yes. I help students all over the country defend against accusations of cheating by collaboration. Using nearly two decades of legal experience combined with a specialized knowledge of the student disciplinary process, I help students gain successful outcomes. I also attend hearings as an adviser to support students during the academic integrity board hearing process. This can be a stressful event for students accused of an academic violation. The presence of an adviser with my background supports the students to make the best possible presentation and keeps the academic panel hearing fair.
Call today for help defending your academic integrity charge. (855-338-5299
Richard Asselta is an award-winning student defense lawyer who offers college student defense advising services throughout the United States. He is experienced in defending all types of college disciplinary issues, including cheating by collaboration. Click here to read what clients are saying about Richard Asselta on AVVO, a lawyer review website.