PURPOSE
To promote academic integrity, fairness, and clarity by establishing a consistent process for addressing alleged academic violations, including the investigation of complaints, the assignments of sanctions, and the appeal of findings and sanctions.
SCOPE
This procedure applies to allegations of academic-related violations including plagiarism, cheating, and aiding acts of academic dishonesty as outlined in Policy 5.3.2, Student Code of Conduct, and further detailed in the accompanying Procedure 5.3.2.1, Discipline and appeal for Academic Violations. Non-academic violations are governed by the same policy but are addressed separately under Procedure 5.3.2.2, Discipline and Appeal for Non-Academic Violations.
The academic penalty for academic-related violations should be clearly stated by the instructor in each course syllabi.
SANCTIONS FOR VIOLATIONS
If a student has an academic violation on an assignment, exam, or other academic exercise, the instructor (or designated investigatory authority) may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
- Formal written warning
- Educational assignment (e.g., research or reflective paper on academic integrity or proper citation practices).
- Resubmission of assignment or retaking exam
- Additional course work
- Assigned a “zero” of a reduced grade for the assignment
- Assigned “F” as the final course grade
- Administrative withdrawal from the course
In all cases where an academic violation is suspected, the faculty member must complete an Incident Form and submit it to the Department Head and the Student Integrity and Compliance Specialist. The Student Integrity and Compliance Specialist will maintain an official record of the violation and manage the process of notifying students in writing of outcomes and receiving any appeals. Multiple or repeated violations of the Academic Integrity Code may result in progressively more severe sanctions.
INSTRUCTOR’S INVESTIGATION
An instructor who suspects an academic-related violation shall follow these steps to address the concern:
1. The instructor suspecting the alleged violation shall first present concerns to the student and provide an opportunity for the student to explain or refute the concerns.
2. The student will be given the opportunity to comment on the evidence or to present additional evidence to clarify the issue in question.
3. After reviewing the evidence and considering the student’s response, the instructor will determine whether an academic violation has occurred. The outcome will be one of the following:
a. An academic-related violation did not take place and the issue is resolved.
b. An academic-related violation did occur, as determined by the instructor.
INSTRUCTOR’S DETERMINATION
The instructor (or designated official, such as the Student Integrity and Compliance Specialist) will communicate the outcome in writing to the students’ official College email within five (5) business days of the initial meeting. If no College email is available, the written findings will be sent to the student’s mailing address on record. The communication must clearly outline the evidence supporting the instructor’s decision, the findings, specify any academic sanctions imposed, and include the student’s right to appeal and applicable deadlines.
Sanctions will remain in effect unless modified or overturned through the appeal process. A copy of all communication related to the outcome must also be sent to the Student Integrity and Compliance Specialist, who serves as the official record keeper for these matters.
APPEAL PROCEDURES
A student who disagrees with the instructor’s decision may submit a written appeal within three (3) business days of receiving the instructor’s decision. Appeals must clearly state the reasons the student believes the instructor’s findings were in error.
- Credit courses: The appeal is submitted to the appropriate Dean
- Non-credit courses: The appeal is submitted to the Vice President of Instruction
The reviewing official will conduct an “on the record review” examining the instructor’s written findings and student’s written appeal. The official may require the student, the instructor, and any other necessary party to provide additional documents, written statements, or clarification.
After reviewing all materials, the official will affirm, modify, or overturn the instructor’s decision. The outcome will be communicated to the student’s official College email address within ten (10) business days of receiving the appeal. If no college email address is available, the written decision will be mailed to the student’s mailing address on record with the College.
The decision of the Dean or Vice President is final. A copy of the appeal and all communication related to the outcome must also be sent to the Student Integrity and Compliance Specialist, who serves as the official record keeper for these matters.
October 14, 2025
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