Procedures for Resolving Violations of Academic Integrity

What an Instructor Resolution is

Instructor Resolution allows an instructor to resolve the concern regarding academic misconduct with the student directly. This process involves a discussion between instructor and student regarding the importance of academic integrity and a focus on the incident as a learning opportunity for the student.

When the Instructor Resolution is appropriate

An Instructor Resolution is appropriate when

• the incident is not egregious and
• merits no consequence greater than a zero on the assignment, though the student may be required to do additional, remedial work (e.g., rewrite a paper).

Academic evaluation vs. Disciplinary action

• Instructors have the authority to make academic judgments, such as a reduction in a grade or assigning additional work in the interests of furthering their students’ education. 
• Only the Office of Student Academic Affairs has the authority to issue disciplinary actions

Instructor Resolution Procedures

1. The instructor informs the student of possible academic misconduct and provides the student with evidence of misconduct.

2. A meeting takes place between the instructor and student to discuss the allegation and possible course or grading sanctions. The student is given an opportunity to be heard, ask questions, and provide any written evidence or other relevant information.

3. After meeting with the student, the instructor determines which outcome applies:

Outcome A: Instructor accepts student’s explanation and finds that no misconduct has occurred.

Outcome B: Student acknowledges misconduct and accepts course/grading sanction. 

• Instructor informs the Office of Student Academic Affairs of the incident using the Instructor Resolution Form.
• The Office of Student Academic Affairs sends the student a resolution letter with:
  • Acknowledgement of the incident and the Instructor Resolution
  • An official warning
  • Instructions on how to proceed if the student does not agree with the instructor's sanctions.

Outcome C: Student does not acknowledge misconduct and/or accept course sanction; however, the instructor feels misconduct has occurred.

• Instructor submits the case to SAA Resolution using the Report of Suspected Misconduct Form.
• Following an Academic Misconduct Meeting, Student Academic Affairs sends the student and instructor a resolution letter with the final decision. If the student was found responsible, the instructor may impose course sanctions and SAA may impose college-level sanctions.

Note: In the case of repeat or egregious offenses, the Office of Student Academic Affairs reserves the right to reject the outcome of an Instructor Resolution and require SAA Resolution. Instructors are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Academic Affairs for consultation.

What an SAA Resolution is

A faculty or staff member within LSA who believes academic misconduct has occurred may file a formal complaint of academic misconduct with the LSA Office of Student Academic Affairs who will determine if misconduct has occurred.

Important: The instructor should not impose any penalty or require remedial work until the case has been resolved. Once a case has been filed with the Office of Student Academic Affairs, it may not be withdrawn without the approval of the Assistant Dean. Barring unforeseen circumstances, cases will be resolved within the academic term (and typically within three weeks) in which the incident occurs.

SAA Resolution Procedures

Reporting academic misconduct

• Instructor reports a possible case of academic misconduct to SAA using the Report of Suspected Misconduct form

Prior to the Academic Misconduct Meeting

• SAA sends an email to the student stating that an instructor has reported what they believe to be a possible case of academic misconduct. The email also includes a link to set up an Academic Misconduct Meeting. 
• Once an appointment is scheduled, SAA sends a confirmation email which contains evidence about the allegations of misconduct. The student reviews the information related to the allegation and prepares for the meeting.

During the Academic Misconduct Meeting

• The Coordinator of Academic Integrity or designee will describe the allegations made, detail the supporting evidence, and review the range of college-level sanctions (e.g. disciplinary probation, suspension, or explusion).
• This is an opportunity for the student to be heard and to present their side of the incident. The student should be ready to present any relevant material, read a statement, and/or ask questions.
• Typically, in each meeting a representative of the LSA Student Honor Council participates, though they do not advocate for or against the student.
• Students should notify the Office of Student Academic Affairs if they will have a support person in attendance at the meeting.
• In certain circumstances, the Coordinator of Academic Integrity may give the student the opportunity to ask questions of the accusing party, either by exchanging written questions or by asking questions during a subsequent meeting. This additional step will be completed prior to the Coordinator or designee’s final decision.
• The meeting between the accused student and the Coordinator of Academic Integrity or designee may be virtual or in-person.

Making a decision

• The Coordinator of Academic Integrity or designee determines whether a violation of the LSA Community Expectations of Academic Integrity has occurred and if the student is responsible for academic misconduct.
• The standard of review is preponderance. This means that the student is not considered responsible unless the evidence demonstrates that it is "more likely than not" that academic misconduct has occurred.
• The student will be informed by letter, with an email copy to the instructor(s), of the decision and sanction(s), if any, to be imposed.
• If a student is found not responsible for academic misconduct, the instructor(s) will grade the student accordingly.
• If a student is found responsible for academic misconduct:
  1. Course-level sanctions: appropriate grade penalties for the misconduct will be left up to the instructor based on syllabus grade policies or department policies, if applicable.
  2. College-level sanctions: The student may be assigned college sanctions by the Office of Student Academic Affairs, such as disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.
     
     

Note: If an accused student does not make timely arrangements for an Academic Misconduct Meeting, the Office of Student Academic Affairs will place a judicial hold on the student’s account until a meeting occurs. This hold will prevent students from registering for future courses or making any adjustments to their schedule. If the accused student does not make timely arrangements after the judicial hold is placed on the student's account, SAA will disenroll the student from future semesters. Instructors will be notified at the end of the term if a judicial hold has been placed on a student’s account and if the case is still pending. In addition, the Assistant Dean may make a determination to continue the process in the student’s absence based on the evidence presented.

A student who has been found responsible for academic misconduct may submit a written appeal to the LSA Academic Judiciary Committee (AJC), a committee composed of both undergraduate students and faculty members from the College of LSA.

Note: Appeals are rare and exceptional. If students submit an appeal request, college- and course-level sanctions remain in place while it is pending. If an appeal is based on discrimination or other prohibited behavior, students must also file a report with the Equity, Civil Rights & Title IX Office (ECRT). The appeal process will pause until that matter is resolved.

Procedures

• The student must submit an appeal within two weeks from the date of the resolution letter.
• The appeal must state what is being appealed: the finding of academic misconduct, the college sanction imposed, or both.
• The appeal must also state and describe in detail at least one of the following grounds for appeal:
  • The procedure was violated in a way that seriously compromised the investigation and/or conclusions.
  • There is significant new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the meeting with the Coordinator of Academic Integrity or designee.
  • The college sanctions are excessive relative to the violation.
    
    

Making a decision

• The AJC decides whether the appeal has sufficient grounds to move forward. If it does not, the appeal process ends and the Office of Student Academic Affairs' decision stands. There is no further appeal opportunity.
• If the AJC determines your appeal has merit, a panel of AJC members will review it alongside evidence from the instructor and documentation of how the Office of Student Academic Affairs reached its decision.
• After reviewing the appeal, the AJC may:
  • Reverse the finding of responsibility (overturn the original decision), or
  • Uphold the finding of responsibility. If it's upheld, the Committee may recommend that the Assistant Dean keep the sanction as is, reduce it, or increase it.
• Students will be notified of the outcome by email.

If a student registered in another school is accused of misconduct in an LSA course:

• SAA's authority includes deciding whether or not the alleged action is a violation of Academic Integrity and whether course-level sanctions may be applied if the student is found responsible for misconduct.
• Course-level sanctions are left up to the instructor.
• SAA will recommend a sanction or sanctions to the School or College in which the student is registered, but that School or College has the responsibility for imposing any recommendation or additional sanction it determines appropriate.

If an LSA student has been found responsible for academic misconduct in a course offered by another School or College at U-M Ann Arbor:

• The Office of Student Academic Affairs will notify the student in writing of the decision and any college-level sanctions.
• Course-level sanctions are left up to the instructor.