Carnegie Mellon University

The Word

Student Handbook

Important Definitions

Academic Advisor

The individual designated in SIO/S3 as the primary major academic advisor. The Academic Advisor may be designated by the department to disseminate relevant correspondence related to academic disciplinary action within the department according to departmental procedure.

Academic Disciplinary Action

Academic disciplinary actions are outcomes imposed for violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity including cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized assistance.

Academic Integrity Liaison

Each department designates an individual who is trained by the Office of Community Standards and Integrity to provide guidance to course instructors in cases of alleged violations of the University Policy on Academic Integrity. Absent a departmental designation, the associate dean of the college in which the course is housed is the default liaison for consultation purposes.

Course Failure

A grade of “R” as outlined in the University Policy on Grading.

Course Instructor

Any person responsible for the instruction or grading of a course at the university as documented in the Schedule of Classes.

Department Head

The university faculty or staff member who leads an academic department. In academic disciplinary cases in which the home department is an academic program, the program director is considered to be the department head.

Email

The official Carnegie Mellon University email address designated in the university directory.

Moderator

The Student Affairs staff member who facilitates an Academic Review Board hearing. Moderators are appointed and trained by the Office of Community Standards and Integrity. The hearing runs at their discretion according to process guidelines.

Process Advisor

As a staff member in the Office of Community Standards and Integrity, the Process Advisor is responsible for the logistics of convening an Academic Review Board. The Process Advisor schedules the hearing, assembles the hearing board, informs the involved parties of the procedures for the hearing, and manages other administrative tasks.

Student

Any person registered for, enrolled in, or auditing any course(s) at Carnegie Mellon University at the time of the alleged violation. An individual is also considered to be a student if they have been accepted for admission to the university but are not currently matriculating. Examples include, but are not limited to, students who are enrolled but not taking classes due to an academic break, medical leave, suspension, or other personal leave; students who were enrolled at the time of the incident; persons who demonstrate an intent to enroll by registering for courses; and students participating in study abroad programs.  Because there is no statute of limitations for academic integrity violations and proceedings can be commenced after a student has left the university or graduated, “student” also includes former students.

Student's Home College

The college designated in SIO/S3 as the student’s department of enrollment.

Student's Home Department

The department designated in SIO/S3 as the student’s department of enrollment.

Support Person

A person of the student’s choosing who accompanies the student during the Academic Review Board hearing. The support person does not participate in the proceedings but may advise the student and/or be present at a hearing. Registered support persons are not permitted to participate as witnesses in the same proceedings.