Being found responsible for academic misconduct can have serious consequences. It will disrupt your existing enrolment and derail your immediate plans. Also, it can change the course of your future. If you get a notice about a hearing you are required to attend, you must prepare for it. You should know that this hearing matters a lot more than an examination. The sanctions the school may impose if it finds you guilty of academic misconduct can destroy your educational future. You can be suspended or expelled from school if found guilty. But, still, an academic appeals lawyer is available to help you appeal the conviction. Let’s take a look at how these sanctions can affect you:
Suspension
A great attorney will look at this sanction with an eye toward its impact on your future, depending on the type of future you want. For instance, if you plan to become an attorney or earn a Ph.D., a suspension may impact your ability to get into another college or university later. Also, it will be known when you apply to a bar association to practice law. Likewise, you will be asked questions on what took place when you work in highly regulated industries or do work that requires a security clearance.
If you will be asked about your disciplinary history, tell the truth to your future school or employer. Although this will not work when a sexual assault history matters on later application, you don’t need to voluntarily disclose this if no one asks about it.
Moreover, if you are suspended, it is best to do something else during this time. You can volunteer to help with community activities or get an internship. Keep in mind that your suspension may reflect in your transcripts, so find out how your school will note it.
Expulsion
If your college or university expelled you, you still need to be worried about your transcript reflecting it and the educational records your school has. After your expulsion, you must apply to a new school to earn a degree. But, most schools will want to know more about your expulsion.
Usually, your transfer application should talk about the reason for the expulsion. If the released educational records do not include the raw materials that went with the school’s findings, you can control the information your school has and the narrative.
Unfortunately, if your school continues to investigate your sexual harassment case and you transfer, it may find you responsible for it. You will not able to defend yourself against the allegation and you will just get a notice of the disciplinary action.
