What Will Happen?

Upon determining that a student has committed academic negligence, faculty are required to submit a report to the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC) and select the appropriate sanction(s). Reports of academic negligence are sent to the student, and the student’s Class Dean and academic advisor(s). 

Students who commit academic negligence are required to have an educational conversation with the instructor about the transgression and may be required to successfully complete an instructive module on plagiarism or other educational sanctions deemed appropriate by the instructor. Proof of the completion of sanctions must be provided to the instructor. Students are required to complete the sanctions before the deadline for grade submission or they will receive an administrative incomplete in the course.

Here are flowcharts of the process for faculty (FacultyFlowChart), students (StudentFlowChart), and the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AcademicDishonestyReportResponse).

Academic Dishonesty Process

• • The Director of the Office of Community Values (Director) and the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC) will be notified of an alleged violation via a report by the instructor. The Director will notify the Dean of Studies Office.
  • The AIC will engage with the reporting instructor to ensure all the appropriate materials are submitted.
  • The AIC will meet with the student to explain the Academic Review Board Process. 
  • The student may also meet with the Director to review the process and discuss any potential mitigating circumstances. Mitigating circumstances are any factors specific to a student which may give good cause to reduce the severity of sanctions. These can include personal circumstances at the time of the violation (e.g. recent trauma) or general circumstances that may cause a sanction to have a greater impact than it would for most other students (e.g. loss of financial aid, loss of visa). 
  • The student may submit a response to the alleged violation and a mitigating circumstances response.
  • An Academic Review Board will be formed to handle the case. An Academic Review Board consists of: 
    • The Academic Integrity Coordinator, who chairs the Board 
    • One other faculty member, selected by the AIC from the membership of the Academic Honesty Committee. The Academic Honesty Committee is appointed by the Provost
    • Two students, from a pool of students appointed by the Dean of the College 
    • The Director of the Office of Community Values (a non-voting member) 

  The identities of those serving on the Board shall be provided to the reporting instructor and the student, and both will be provided with an opportunity to notify the AIC or Director of any conflicts of interest or bias concerns. The AIC, in consultation with the Director, shall resolve any claims of conflicts or bias.

  A member of the Office of the General Counsel may attend any hearings and assist the Coordinator or Board in the administration of the hearing process. 

  If a case requires adjudication in the period between the end of the spring semester examinations and the start of the subsequent fall semester, the student members of the board may be appointed by the AIC and/or Director from among students living on campus for the summer. If the case cannot be heard, it will be postponed until the following semester.

  • The Academic Review Board does not hold live hearings; reporting instructors and students must submit written reports and responses, and all supporting materials and evidence must be submitted electronically to the AIC. All submitted evidence and materials will be shared with the student before the board meets to consider the matter. A reasonable opportunity will be provided to the reporting instructor and students to respond to submitted materials.
  • The AIC and Director (or their designees) may seek clarifications from the instructor, student or relevant witnesses, make inquiries to other College departments or offices for information or evidence, and take other steps deemed appropriate to ensure the Board has the information necessary to make fully informed decisions.
  • If the student accepts responsibility for the violation, the Academic Review Board will assign a sanction in keeping with established norms for similar cases. 
  • If the student does not accept responsibility for the alleged violation, members of the Academic Review Board will review and discuss all the relevant materials and reach a decision on responsibility and, if applicable, sanctions. The standard of proof for determining whether a violation has occurred is a “preponderance of the evidence”; that is, was it more likely than not that the violation occurred?  
  • Because of the complexity of some matters, there are no fixed timeframes or deadlines. However, the Board will work deliberately and carefully, but as efficiently as possible, since it is in everyone’s interests for cases to be wrapped up in a timely manner.