Undergraduate Academic Integrity Appeals

Appeal Process

6.1.1. The student has the option of appealing to the department chair or unit head within ten business days if they disagree with the accuser's decision. If the person accusing a student of a violation of academic integrity is the school director, or if a school director or unit head is proposing sanctions or violations, a student's appeal should be made to the Academic Integrity Committee.

6.1.2. If the course where the violation occurred is a cross-listed course with a General Education course, and this course counts toward the student’s major or minor, the student’s appeal should be directed to either the unit head or school director of the student’s major or minor. Otherwise, the appeal should be directed to the General Education Director/First Year Experience coordinator.

6.1.3. Petition for Appeals should include a written, and may additionally include a signed:

clear rationale for the appeal, along with all appropriate documents that support the rationale for the appeal.
statement of sanctions or remedies imposed by the faculty member, the written decision of the accuser, and all relevant communications.
statement of the student's desired outcome of the appeal (e.g., dismissal of the charge, modification of sanction or remedies imposed), or if the student is proposing an alternative plan for remediation.

6.2. Appeals to School Directors and Dean of Faculty

6.2.1. The school director evaluates the student's appeal in terms of: whether the sanctions or remedies were arbitrary or capricious; whether the accuser followed the Academic Integrity Policy and whether the student had adequate advance notice and opportunity to respond. If the department chair or unit head wishes to have face-to-face meeting with the accuser and the student to discuss the appeal, the student has the right to bring an advocate to this meeting The school director decides whether or not to support the student appeal and responds in writing to the student and instructor or staff member within ten business days after receipt of the written appeal. Copies of the decision will be sent to others copied by the instructor or staff member in the original letter as well as the student's program director, school director, and academic advisor.

6.2.2. The student has the option of appealing to the Academic Integrity Committee within ten business days if they disagree with the school director’s decision. The appeal should include any information the student deems to be important to counter the allegation of a violation of academic integrity.

6.2.3. The accuser has the option of appealing to the Academic Integrity Committee within ten business days if they disagree with the school leader’s decision. The appeal should include any information the accuser deems to be important to counter the recommendation made by the department chair or unit head.

6.3. Appeals to the Academic Integrity Committee

6.3.1. The Academic Integrity Committee will review letters of appeal and any additional documentation [e.g., letters to student from faculty member, program director (if appropriate), and department chair]. The committee may decide: (1) to refuse the appeal, in which case the recommendation made by the department chair or unit head will stand, or (2) to accept the appeal, and conduct a hearing to address the appeal. All committee decisions will be communicated in writing to the student within ten academic days The Committee will communicate in writing, either on paper or electronically, to all parties within ten business days, after receiving written materials from the accused student.

6.3.2. The Academic Integrity Committee is empowered to modify sanctions and remedies based on their review. These modifications may be more severe than the initial sanctions or remedies and could include a recommendation for suspension or dismissal from the University. The student or accuser may appeal to the dean of the school in which the department resides if he/she/they disagree with the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee.

6.4. Appeals to the Dean of Faculty

6.4.1. The dean will review letters of appeal and any additional documentation [e.g., letters to student from faculty member, program director (if appropriate), school director, and the Academic Integrity Committee]. The dean may affirm the Academic Integrity Committee decision or the dean may modify sanctions and remedies based on review of the appeal. These modifications may be more severe than the initial sanctions or remedies and could include suspension or dismissal from the University. The dean's decision is final.

6.4.2. The dean will communicate the decisions in writing, on paper or electronically, to all parties involved within ten business days.