Summary of the Academic Misconduct Process
Academic Misconduct Process
Referral
After a referral is submitted, staff will review the information provided, the prior history of the student (if applicable), and reach out to the faculty member/reporting party to schedule an Academic Misconduct Inquiry Meeting, also known as an AMIM.
Academic Misconduct Inquiry Meeting (AMIM)
The Academic Misconduct Inquiry Meeting allows:
- DOS staff to meet with faculty/reporting party, gather additional information and discuss their comfortability and desired level of involvement in the process.
- faculty to also provide their recommendations for any educational outcomes or sanctions.
An AMIM meeting can occur over the phone, via Zoom, or in person. After gathering information from the referral and faculty, the DOS staff assigned to the case will determine the appropriate track option for resolution.
Several factors are part of the review and decision-making process, including:
- desired involvement of the faculty member,
- the status of the student,
- student’s prior history, and
- the severity of the incident.
A detailed explanation of the informal options (Track I or Track II) or formal option (Track III) is included below.
Notice to Student
Notice to the student initiates the student’s involvement in the academic misconduct process. A Notice letter is sent after the case manager determines the appropriate resolution track. If an informal track (I or II) was recommended, a Notice of Informal Resolution Letter is sent. If the formal track (III) was selected, a Notice of Charges Letter will be sent to the student to inform them of the next steps.
The Notice letter will include information for the student:
- informing them of the potential/alleged violations,
- the date/time of their scheduled meeting/hearing, and
- a Confirmation Form for them to complete confirming their scheduled meeting/hearing date and time.
Track Options
TRACK I: Informal and Educational
Track I is the informal and educational option for students. This option is available if a student does NOT have prior reported conduct. In an Academic Expectations Meeting, a case manager or reporting faculty member will meet with the reported student to review and reestablish academic integrity, course expectations, and ways to succeed. These meetings will be documented but are not considered a disciplinary in nature. Although there are no sanctions assigned with this track, educational outcomes can be assigned to ensure the student understands the situation and how to move forward.
TRACK II: Informal and Mediation
Track II is another informal option that focuses on mediation as a tool to resolve the misconduct. This option requires faculty participation as the mediation is hosted by a DOS facilitator, and between the faculty, and the responding student. The goal of this Academic Integrity Mediation is to hear all perspectives, to come to an understanding, and to reach a collaborative resolution, which may include educational outcomes.
TRACK III: Formal and Panel Hearing
Track III is the formal option where an Academic Violation Panel Forum serves as the place for the responding student to share their perspective with a panel of trained students, faculty, and staff who review totality of the situation and make a recommendation to the responsibility of the student and any sanctions, if necessary.
Outcomes/Sanctions
At the conclusion of any track, informal or formal, the case manager will review the totality of the situation and all gathered information and perspectives and determine if outcomes or sanctions are appropriate.
Informal tracks may result in required outcomes to ensure a student follows up with appropriate resources and demonstrates their willingness to adhere to values of academic integrity. Sanctions are assigned to students from an Academic Violation Panel Forum, and are recommended and assigned based on a progressive sanctioning model, which includes a review of the holistic student, including prior conduct history and mitigating factors, to determine the appropriate response .
Outcomes and sanctions focus on education and reflection, but can also rise to the level of a University response, i.e. program dismissal, suspension, etc.
If a student is found not responsible for the actions or behavior, there are no sanctions assigned.
NOTE: Grades are assigned by Faculty and NOT considered a sanction under the Student Code of Conduct. A student who wishes to appeal a grade, should first submit a written appeal to their faculty member no more than ten calendar days after receiving any notification of a grade change. For more information on how to appeal your grade, please visit the Records and Registration webpage, Appealing Academic Grades.
Students found Responsible at an Academic Violation Panel Forum have FIVE (5) class days after their Decision Letter is sent, to submit an Appeal Request for their conduct case. See Conduct Appeal Process.