A. Academic Misconduct

The academic misconduct procedures address two key issues: (1) whether misconduct has occurred, and (2) if so, what sanctions are appropriate.

As set out more fully below, various people and offices play specific roles in resolving these two issues. Whether misconduct has occurred in a particular course, and if so, whether a particular academic sanction (failing grade, repeating an assignment, etc.) is an appropriate response to a finding of misconduct in the course, is handled by the faculty member involved and, if a student appeals the faculty member’s determinations, by a hearing board within the school in which the misconduct allegedly occurred (College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, etc.).

The Office of the Dean of Students serves two roles with respect to academic misconduct. First, that office serves as the centralized record keeper throughout the process. Second, after a final determination within a school that a student has committed academic misconduct, the Dean of Students determines whether an additional, university-wide sanction (disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion) is appropriate based on the nature and severity of the misconduct and/or prior violations by the student.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs or Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education convenes Campus Review Boards to hear two types of appeals: first, a limited appeal by the student that a serious procedural error deprived the student of a full and fair opportunity to present his/her response to the misconduct charge; and second, an appeal by the student asserting that a university-wide sanction imposed by the Dean of Students is arbitrary or disproportionate.

Alleged Violation Occurs

Informal Conference Initiated by Faculty Member

  1. Faculty member advises student of alleged misconduct
  2. Student given opportunity to respond
  3. Decision: Responsible/Not Responsible based on a preponderance of evidence
  4. Academic sanction assigned
  5. Faculty members submits written report form within 14 days to Dean of Students, who sends report to student, dean of school in which student is enrolled, and dean of school where course is offered

If Student Wishes to Appeal Faculty Decision/s

  1. Student submits written appeal to dean of school or unit within which offense occurred within 14 days after receiving faculty member's written report sent by Dean of Students
  2. Dean notified Dean of Students that appeal received
  3. Dean discusses matter with student and faculty member
  4. If no resolution with 10 days of concluding individual meeting with student and faculty member, case is considered by unit hearing board

Dean of Students Action

  1. Dean decides whether or not to consider additional university-wide sanction
  2. Dean provides written notification to student within 21 days
  3. If additional sanction likely, student has conference with dean
  4. Dean consults with dean of student's school
  5. Decision: Disciplinary probation, suspension or deferred suspension

Unit Hearing Board (audio recorded)

  1. Formal hearing with unit hearing board (three faculty and two students)
  2. Decision: dismiss/sustain/sustain with lesser sanction
  3. Within 14 days after hearing, presiding officer sends decision in writing to dean of unit in which offense occurred, Dean of Students, student, faculty and dean of school in which student is majoring
  4. If student or faculty believes substantive procedural error, may appeal to Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs or Vice Provost for Undergraduate education in writing within 10 days from receipt of decision

Appeal to Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs or Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

  1. Vice Provost talks with student, faculty, and presiding officer of unit hearing board
  2. If not resolved, Campus Review Board considers the record of unit hearing
  3. If serious procedural error found to have occurred, case returned to unit board to correct error
  4. Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs or Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education may appoint advisor to assist unit hearing board
  5. If no finding of serious procedural errors, appeal dismissed; decision is final

If Student Wishes to Appeal to Dean of Students Sanction

  1. Student submits written request for appeal within 10 days of receipt of Dean of Students decision to Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs or Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
  2. Campus Review Board Considers whether sanction is warranted - may uphold or impose lesser sanction
  3. Decision is final