If you have been charged with violating the Standards of Student Conduct, you will have a meeting scheduled with either a member of the Office of Student Standards and Conduct or the Office of Housing and Residential Life.
Generally, the meeting will follow the below outline:
If a faculty member feels you may have violated a policy, they will discuss it with you first. If you can present an acceptable explanation to the faculty member, no further attention is needed.
If your explanation is not accepted, you will be scheduled to meet with the faculty member to discuss the matter. You and the faculty member will further discuss why they believe there is an issue of academic integrity.
You have two options in the meeting:
1) Accept the Voluntary Resolution
2) Do not accept the Voluntary Resolution
Given the nature of graduate studies, graduate students will normally face suspension or dismissal for any violation of academic integrity. The Office of Student Standards and Conduct will institute a hearing to determine if those are appropriate sanctions.
You are eligible to appeal the outcome of your case if the Conduct Officer found you responsible, or if your case went to a hearing. Students who accepted responsibility and sanctions, during a conduct conference, are not able to appeal.
If you are eligible to appeal there should be instructions and a link to the on-line appeal form at the bottom of your outcome letter. If the link on the letter does not work, or you have any questions, please contact our office.
When you click on the link, you will be directed to answer four questions, which will help guide you through your appeal.
If you answer yes to any of the above questions, you are prompted to specifically and thoroughly explain yourself. This is because it is unlikely you will meet with the Appellate Officer in person.
Your appeal is due five business days after your outcome letter is sent. Typically, appeals are processed by the Appellate Officer twice a month.