Course-Level Review, Decision, and Action

Incidents of alleged violations of the University’s Policy on Academic Integrity will be initially reviewed and adjudicated at the course level or the equivalent academic level for projects that involve research or creative inquiry. Investigations may be managed by the course instructor(s) or departmental designee. In all cases involving alleged violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity, the following procedures apply:

Gathering Information 

1. Suspected violations should be investigated within a reasonable timeframe, ideally within one to two weeks of discovering the alleged violation.
2. Instructors should notify the involved student(s) of the alleged violation(s) and provide the student(s) the opportunity to respond in an in person meeting or by phone or videoconference as circumstances warrant.
3. Course instructors may receive information from other individuals (e.g., students, staff, faculty) who possess direct information related to the alleged violation(s) under review. For example, someone may have observed the suspected incident or interacted directly with the involved student(s) before, during, or after the incident in question.
4. When discussing alleged violations with the involved student(s) or witnesses, instructors should avoid revealing the identity of other involved parties unless it is necessary in order to determine responsibility.

5. If a student does not respond to notification of an alleged violation(s) of the University Policy on Academic Integrity, the matter may be reviewed in their absence by the course instructor after a reasonable period of time. In these circumstances, the course instructor may proceed with determination of responsibility and outcome.

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Determining Responsibility and Course-Level Action

1. The course instructor will decide whether the suspected violation(s) occurred based on available evidence. At this stage, instructors are encouraged to consult with the department’s designated Academic Integrity Liaison, department/program head, the college dean’s office or the Office of Community Standards and Integrity regarding the nature of the suspected violation(s), the nature of the evidence related to the alleged violation(s), and the range of outcomes under consideration.
2. When assessing responsibility for an academic integrity violation, the course instructor should apply a preponderance of the evidence standard. A preponderance of the evidence means that the course instructor has determined that it is more likely than not that the student has violated the University Policy on Academic Integrity.
3. If the course instructor concludes that the student is responsible for the alleged violation(s), the course instructor should determine an outcome. The most severe outcome that can be assessed at this level of review and action is course failure although the instructors and/or department heads may recommend additional outcomes for consideration during second-level review, decision, and action.
4. Students who have pending or documented academic disciplinary action may not drop or withdraw from the course in question (including the use of a voucher). In rare circumstances, the course instructor may provide explicit approval to drop the course. Students who drop the course without the proper permission will be manually re-enrolled in the course and further outcomes may result.
5. Students who have pending or documented academic disciplinary action may not change a course to P/NP (including the use of a voucher).

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Documenting and Reporting the Course-Level Decision 

1. After determining responsibility and outcomes for a violation(s), the instructor should immediately and in writing via email notify the involved student(s) of the decision. If found responsible, the rationale for the determination of responsibility should be included in that notification. The outcome(s) that the course instructor has assessed should be noted as well. Students should also be informed of the opportunity to request an appeal and the procedures for doing so.
2. All documented violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity should be reported to the Office of Community Standards and Integrity upon completion of the investigation and student notification. Reports may be submitted using the Academic Integrity Reporting Form.
3. A copy of the email communication to the student should be included with the report. Course instructors are also encouraged to submit all evidence and supporting documentation.
4. Upon receipt of the violation report, the Office of Community Standards and Integrity will notify the following individuals of the course-level decision and action:
   • Head of the student's home department
   • Associate dean of the student’s home college
   • Academic advisor for the student
   • Head of department in which the course is registered (if different from the student's department)
   • Associate dean of the college in which the course is registered (if different from the student's college)

5. Students will receive official notification that the report has been received from the Office of Community Standards and Integrity. The notification will include an invitation to meet with a process advisor in the Office of Community Standards to discuss the case, review the appeal process, and prepare for second-level review (if needed).
6. In addition to the above notifications, the Office of Community Standards and Integrity will be responsible for coordinating all second-level review, decision, and action and documenting the violation in the student’s university conduct record consistent with the university policy on Student Conduct Records Retention and Reporting.

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