Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Procedures

In the classroom, in the laboratory, studio, seminar, practicum, or other instructional setting, or activity undertaken by student(s) for academic credit (i.e. field trips, student teaching, study abroad, internships, etc.) students are expected to adhere to the highest academic standards of behavior and personal conduct. Examples of academic misconduct are listed on the Overview and Definitions of Academic Misconduct webpage. 

The procedures are intended to inform the involved parties of university procedures and aid the hearing officer, investigating authority, or disciplinary body in its efforts to ascertain the facts of a matter and reach a just decision. Circumstances can differ greatly in each case and the presiding hearing officer or chair may need to modify procedures or rule on procedural matters to reach a just decision.

Initiating Academic Misconduct Charges

The dean of the respective academic college will oversee the process for handling all academic misconduct allegations occurring in his/her college. In the case of graduate students, oversight of the matter will be handled by the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is recommended that any academic discipline case be initiated at the lowest possible level. In this capacity, the dean of the college acts as a resource person for administration, faculty, staff, and students to promote consistency within the college in resolving cases of academic misconduct. The dean of the college also has the responsibility for maintaining all student records related to academic misconduct with a copy of all academic misconduct findings being placed on file with the Office of the Dean of Students.

Simple Cases of Academic Dishonesty

Simple cases of first-offense cheating or plagiarism by an individual student may be handled by the instructor in the course.

• The faculty member shall inform the student of the alleged violation(s) and allow the student to be heard.
• After meeting with the student, the faculty member will determine if a violation has occurred based upon a preponderance of the evidence.
• The faculty member may issue an appropriate grade penalty at his or her discretion, after consultation with the department chair and checking the student‘s disciplinary file for instances of previous academic dishonesty incidents in the Dean of Students Office.
• When the evidence is indisputable, the usual penalty is a grade of F on the particular assignment or in the course depending upon the circumstances, in addition to other sanctions deemed appropriate.
• The student is provided a written summary of the findings and informed of the next level of appeal, with a copy to the academic dean and the Dean of Students Office.

Serious Cases of Academic Dishonesty

For more serious cases, such as those involving repeated offenses, conspiracy with other students, the theft and/or selling of examination questions, or other egregious acts of academic dishonesty, a report should be made by the instructor via the department chair to the dean of the college for investigation and disciplinary action. Suspension or expulsion from the university is a normal penalty for such offenses.

Report of a case by a third party

In addition to the above-mentioned cases, any person may report a policy violation against any student for alleged academic misconduct violations. The report must be in writing and include the nature and date of the alleged violation, a detailed statement of the incident, the name of the person allegedly responsible for the incident, and the complainant‘s contact information. The referral for academic misconduct should be addressed to the dean of the college where the infraction allegedly occurred. Upon receipt of the report, the Dean of the college will determine the seriousness of the allegations and the appropriate level for initiating disciplinary action.

Handling Serious Cases 

For serious cases, the Dean of the college may handle the case or may appoint someone else as the hearing officer. In addition to the Dean, the hearing officer may be a faculty member, department chair, or assistant/associate dean. The hearing officer may consult with the Dean of Students for guidance on the process.

• For serious cases, the hearing officer will investigate the allegations to make an initial determination whether there is sufficient basis to proceed. He/she may decide to interview the complainant and/or witnesses or to request additional information from the complainant.
• As a result of the investigation, for serious cases or cases reported by a third party, the hearing officer will take one of the following actions:
  1. The allegation may be dismissed as unfounded.
  2. The allegation may be dismissed for lack of preponderance of evidence.
  3. The student will be notified in writing of the alleged charges and summoned to an informational hearing with the hearing officer. Written notification of the alleged offenses must be at least three business days before the informational hearing and mailed to the student at his/her local address or delivered to the student in person.

Academic Misconduct Formal Hearing Due Process

For serious cases, the respondent, in conference with the hearing officer, will be informed of the following:

• An explanation of the charges which have been made against him/her;
• A review of all evidence on which the charges are based and names of all witnesses;
• A review of due process rights and disciplinary procedures;
• A reasonable opportunity to review charges and evidence, respond to the charges, and select the method of disposition of the case. The student may:
  1. Admit or deny responsibility for the charge(s). A student who admits responsibility for the charges retains the option to appeal the sanction levied. A student who denies responsibility retains the right to appeal the decision and/or the sanction(s) levied.
  2. Schedule a date for a Formal Hearing before an appointed hearing officer or body (as determined by the Academic Dean) OR request to continue the Informational Hearing by signing a written waiver.
  3. During the informational hearing, the hearing officer/body will review the allegations of academic misconduct and allow the student to respond and present witnesses on his / her behalf. The hearing officer/body will determine whether the student is responsible for the alleged policy violation, based upon a preponderance of the evidence, and if so, issue appropriate sanctions.
  4. The student will be notified in writing of the results, the sanction(s) if applicable, and the next level of appeal.

Note: A reasonable effort will be made to locate the student in person or email. If the student does not respond to the request to meet for the scheduled informational hearing, the hearing will be held in absentia, and action taken as warranted by the facts of the case.

Academic Misconduct Formal Hearing Procedures

• The hearing officer/body will provide written notification of alleged offenses to the student at least three business days before the formal hearing.
• The formal hearing will be held as scheduled even in the absence of the respondent unless such absence is for good and sufficient cause. The decision of the hearing officer or body as to good and sufficient cause is final.
• During the formal hearing, the student will have an opportunity to respond and present witnesses on his/her behalf. The hearing procedure utilized shall provide for prompt and fair consideration and resolution of the case based upon a preponderance of the evidence. Proceedings are not judicial trials and formal rules of evidence shall not apply, but evidence submitted must be material and relevant to the issue under consideration as determined by the hearing officer or chair of the disciplinary body.
• After the testimony phase of the hearing is concluded, members of the hearing board or the hearing officer will deliberate on the allegations. Determination of responsibility will be made based on a preponderance of the evidence. If the respondent is not found responsible for a violation, then the hearing is concluded. If the respondent is found responsible for one or more violations of the Student Code of Conduct, then the hearing board or hearing officer will discuss sanctions for the student after being informed of the student’s conduct status with the University.
• A list of sanctions are available on the linked website. The student shall be informed by mail or hand-delivery of the hearing officer’s decision and of the student’s right to appeal to the next level.
• Written documentation of the incident and recommended actions shall be forwarded to the chair/college, dean/director, and Dean of Students. Proceedings, findings, and the names of the parties involved are confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone not involved in or who is not responsible for the disposition of the hearing or case, unless such disclosure is required by law or campus policy.