NIU graduate students charged with academic misconduct would have records for life if the advice of the Graduate School’s dean is taken.

In a memo to University Judicial Adviser Larry Bolles, Dean Jerrold Zar suggested putting transcript notations on students’ records in cases of dismissal, suspension, or termination for academic misconduct and in cases of reinstatement after such.

The decision was made by the Graduate Council, which decided that because a student’s grade point average goes on student transcripts, reports of academic misconduct should appear there too.

Currently, when students get charged with academic misconduct, the student judicial process decides whether they are guilty or innocent of academic misconduct. If the students are penalized, nothing shows up on their transcripts.

The Graduate Council is not concluding whether students are guilty, Zar said. This decision is made by the advisory board. However, he said the purpose of the transcript is for it to be a record of the student’s academic misconduct.

Whatever the case, the idea might be in some danger. Zar said he is aware that some advisory board members oppose the Graduate Council’s decision.

He said he has told judicial board members who disagree with him to write out their concerns so they can discuss the situation. “I’m not making any decisions or any rules or regulations,” Zar said.

Bolles said the advisory board is having a meeting Wednesday to discuss the memo.

Undergraduates are not included in this decision. “The Undergraduate Coordinating Council may discuss this matter with regard to undergraduate students and their transcripts …” the memo stated.

Bolles refused to comment on how the situation would be handled.

Judicial Advisory Board member Curt Stein said he does not agree with Zar’s decision to mark transcripts. He said it would affect students who get dismissed from NIU and try to attend other schools or try to get jobs afterward.

Zar agrees it is possible the notations might limit students from getting jobs in the future. But if students “flunked out,” it would be put on the transcripts and this would hinder them from getting jobs, also.

Stein also said he does not think it would be a good legal decision. “What this is inviting is for this university to be sued,” he said.

Zar said he did not want to give a legal opinion on the matter, but said a student’s transcripts can not be given out without student permission.