The Process

The resolution process for accusations of academic misconduct can take two primary paths: the Instructor-Led Resolution or the Office of Student Academic Affairs Resolution. These tracks differ in their procedure and potential outcomes. Instructors may choose their preferred method of resolution when they suspect academic misconduct.

College Resources

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Instructor-Led Resolution

With this option, an instructor wants to resolve the situation directly with the accused student, without the involvement of administration. Students will meet individually with their instructor to discuss the accusation. In this meeting, students have the opportunity to be heard, ask questions, and provide any evidence to their instructor. Generally, this Instructor-Led Resolution is used when the situation is not egregious and should merit no consequence greater than a 0 on the assignment.

However, administration, through the Office of Student Academic Affairs, reserves the right to adjudicate cases involving situations in which any sanction may result in the student failing the course, the student has a previous finding of academic misconduct, or the student is suspected of falsifying academic documents.

The Instructor-Led Resolution process has 3 potential outcomes.

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Instructor Accepts Student Explanation

With this outcome, the student receives no grade sanctions as the professor finds that no academic misconduct has actually occurred.

Student Accepts Responsibilty

With this outcome, the student admits committing academic misconduct to their instructor. The student accepts the resulting grade sanction. This grade sanction MAY NOT exceed a 0 on the assignment. Additionally, the student will receive a notice from the college notifying them the Office of Student Academic Affairs is aware of the incident.

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Student rejects allegation, but instructor still feels misconduct occurred

With this outcome, the student refutes the allegation, but instructor still feels that misconduct occurred. This outcome may still occur if the student admits responsibility, but rejects the instructor's proposed course sanction.

Following this result, the case is referred to the Office of Student Academic Affairs for arbitration.

Office of Student Academic Affairs Resolution

With this option, the accused student meets with the Coordinator of Academic Integrity (a representative of the college) to discuss their case: instructors do not make the final decision on the outcome of the allegation with this route. The hearing may be in-person or virtual.

Prior to this meeting, the accused student will receive an email detailing their instructor's allegation of academic misconduct. All accused students have the right to view all evidence before the hearing.

During this hearing, the student may present evidence, provide their perspective on the incident, and refute any evidence presented. Students should prepare for the hearing by preparing a statement including any evidence they wish to present. A LSAHC member may be present and participate as neither an advocate for nor prosecutor against the accused student.

Following the hearing, the Coordinator of Academic Integrity submits a report to the Assistant Dean of Student Academic Affairs, who makes the final decision on the case. Students can expect to hear the result of the case within 2 weeks.

The Office of Student Academic Affairs Resolution has 3 possible results.

Student is not responsible

With this result, the student receives no sanctions from the college and no grade sanctions from their professor. If a they believe that their instructor still graded their assignment unfairly, the student may file a grade grievance.

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Formal Reprimand

With this result, the student receives no sanctions from the college, but the student may still receive a grade sanction from their professor. The specific grade sanction may vary based on department; refer to the instructor's syllabus for specific details about consequences for academic misconduct.

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Student is responsible

With this result, the student receives sanctions from the college, and grade sanctions from their instructor.

Grade sanctions can may include a grade reduction on the assessment to failure of the course. Please refer to your instructor's syllabus for more information regarding their grading polices.

For first offenses, college sanctions include a 1000 word essay reflecting on the incident and a note on the student's unofficial transcript noting that they were found responsible of academic misconduct. However, this note will be removed after 1 year, if no further issues with academic misconduct occurs.

However, college sanctions may be more severe for repeat offenses. Additionally, consequences will be more severe for cases involving forgery of college documents (such as a doctor's note). These more severe sanctions include suspension and expulsion.

Appeals

Appeals may be submitted following the result of the Office of Student Academic Affairs Resolution. The process for filing an appeal begins when the student contacts the Coordinator of Academic Integrity for more information. This appeal must be submitted within two weeks of receiving the resolution letter.

Following the appeal submission, the Academic Judiciary Committee (AJC), a panel of volunteer students and faculty, reviews the appeal to determine if it has any merit. To have merit, the appeal must meet one of three criteria:

1. There were violations of the procedure that seriously compromised the investigation and/or conclusions.

2. There is significant new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the meeting with the Coordinator of Academic Integrity.

3. The sanctions are excessive to the violation.

If the AJC believes that grounds for an appeal may exist, the committee will review the case and uphold, reverse, or modify the findings of the student's resolution.

During the hearing, the student will present their perspective and refute the allegations against them before a panel of students and professors.

Overall, this appeal process occurs on a protracted schedule; students can expect to know if their appeal has grounds (approved to be heard before the AJC) one week following submission. If approved to be heard, students can expect to a final decision within one week.

In our experience, it is rare for an appeal to be heard before the AJC. For further questions related to appeals, please refer to The Numbers or FAQs.