Contract Cheating: When Does Academic Support Provide Grounds for Disciplinary Action?
| | Student Rights
Academic support is encouraged and even demanded in many educational settings. At all stages of the learning process, from kindergarten through college, students who are struggling are urged to seek tutoring, consult outside resources, and seek assistance from professionals who can help them meet expected standards.
But there is sometimes a fine line between educational assistance and unethical practices. And as technology progresses, that line becomes thinner and thinner. Students are not always aware when their reliance on assistance has fallen short of a teacher’s expectations. They may be accused of “contract cheating,” and if found responsible for this type of academic violation of a school’s code of conduct, they face serious consequences and damage to their reputation that can be extremely difficult to overcome.
This is one reason why it is so important to work with a dedicated student defense attorney when any allegations of cheating arise. A knowledgeable student advocate can provide advice and assistance to defend against the accusation and minimize any negative consequences.
What is Contract Cheating?
Contract cheating is a term used to describe a situation in which a parent or student pays to have work completed on a student’s behalf. It could involve purchasing an essay or term paper to be submitted as the student’s own work. It could involve completing coursework or lab reports for a student. In some cases, it involves taking online tests.
The companies that provide these services often market themselves as providing “academic assistance” or “assignment help.” In many situations, the services they provide are clearly unethical and violate school policies. But other times, it is not as clear. If a tutor works closely with a student on an assignment, the tutor can essentially end up completing all the work with little input from the student. This can occur without the student’s awareness. A company or individual that provides tutoring may find it more cost-effective to rush through assignments, completing the work without really teaching the student how to do it. Because the service is labeled as tutoring, the student may believe there is nothing unethical about it.
In fact, if the student was encouraged to receive tutoring, it could be openly discussed with a teacher or professor. But because the student still hasn’t learned the process required to complete the assignment, the teacher may suspect the student hasn’t actually been completing the work but has had a tutor do it for them. A well-meaning student can be accused of contract cheating when they thought they were doing nothing wrong. The fault lies with the tutor rather than the student, but unless that fact is brought to light, the student may be blamed and face severe censure that damages future academic prospects and harms the student’s self-esteem and sense of initiative.
Penalties for Contract Cheating
The penalties imposed when a student is found responsible for contract cheating usually increase in severity at higher levels of education. At the college level, where contract cheating is presumed to be most common and where it can be the most difficult to refute, colleges and universities can subject students to a range of penalties, including:
- Assessment of a failing grade for the class
- Permanent record of dishonesty on the academic record
- Academic probation
- Loss of scholarships (and an obligation to repay earlier scholarships)
- Suspension or expulsion
Any of these consequences can make it difficult for a student to continue forward with academic goals. Even if they do not affect graduation, they can make it difficult for a student to transfer, gain admission to graduate programs, or secure internships. Many employers ask for copies of college transcripts, and when a student has a mark that impugns their academic integrity, it can cause employers to think twice about hiring them or relying on them for critical tasks. Long after graduation, if a student seeks licensure as a professional, they may be denied licensure for a lack of academic integrity.
The bottom line is that an accusation of contract cheating needs to be taken seriously and addressed with urgency and diligence to protect a student’s future. Once someone is labeled a “cheater,” everything can quickly go downhill.
Working with a Student Defense Attorney
Unlike criminal law, where procedures for assessing guilt are standardized and the rights of the accused are guaranteed by well-known law, the situation in academic disciplinary proceedings can vary significantly from one campus to another. It is helpful for a student to obtain advice and assistance from an attorney who is familiar with the challenges of and opportunities presented in campus disciplinary proceedings.
Depending on the school’s procedural rules, an attorney may be able to provide guidance during questioning and the adjudication process. If proceedings do not allow an attorney to be present, the attorney can provide self-advocacy training to ensure the student can convey their side of the story without making statements that could be used against their interests. And, of course, an attorney can aid with an investigation to produce evidence and arguments to support the student’s position.
It is important to remember that academic disciplinary proceedings often move quickly, so it is critical to begin developing a defense strategy as soon as possible. If the process concludes with an unfavorable outcome, an attorney can help appeal the decision.
Protect Your Student’s Most Valuable Asset: The Future
Accusations that call a student’s academic integrity into question can be very damaging. Yet they are easy to make, particularly at the college level, where the opportunities for online cheating seem to grow daily.
If there are suggestions of contract cheating, plagiarism, or any other violation of academic policies, it is wise to act quickly to minimize potential harm. At Nesenoff & Miltenberg, we take academic integrity issues seriously and have decades of experience protecting students’ rights and futures. For a confidential consultation to learn how we could assist in your situation, call us at 212-736-4500 or contact us online now.