Information for Faculty Who have Filed an AI Charge

Information for Faculty Who have Filed an Academic Integrity Charge

 

It's the End of the Semester and Grades are Due. Should I Report a Grade?

 

If the deadline for grades is approaching and you suspect a student of a violation (or you have filed a charge and the hearing has not yet taken place), you should report a grade of "NG" (No Grade).

 

How are Hearings Scheduled?

 

After a charge is received, Susan Rambo will begin the process of scheduling the hearing and will contact you to find an available time slot. Though hearings vary in length, you should plan to be available for about 1.5 hours after the start of the hearing. Hearings are usually held in the Dean's Conference Room, located on the second floor of the Administration Building.

 

What Should I Expect to Happen at a Hearing?

 

At the beginning of the hearing you will be asked to make an opening statement that summarizes the information in your charge letter and expands upon that letter as you desire. The student charged will then have an opportunity to make an opening statement. At that point you will be asked to walk the panel or board through the evidence of the violation. At the end of this phase of the hearing, you (and the student) will have the option of making a closing statement, after which all but the panel or board members will leave the room. At that point you may return to your office/class or remain for the close of the hearing, when the panel or board's decision will be communicated to the student.

You have the right to bring one member of the RC community to assist you at the hearing. These assistants can fully participate during the hearings.

 

What Aspects of a Charge/Hearing are Confidential?

 

All Academic Integrity hearings are confidential. This means that while you may discuss a case in general terms, it is your responsibility to protect the identity of the student(s) involved. If you seek the advice of your department chair or another faculty member, do not reveal a student's name or any information that would reveal the identity of the student suspected of a violation or found in violation. If you do speak with a member of the Council, please make sure that he or she is not going to serve at that hearing. Discussing the case beforehand with a panel or board member will mean that person will have to be replaced and the hearing likely rescheduled.

 

What Happens After a Hearing?

 

After a hearing you will receive written confirmation of the outcome. If a student is found not in violation of the charge, he or she will return to class without penalty. If a student is found in violation, there are two cases in which you are responsible for imposing the penalty determined by the panel or board: (1) If a student receives an F in the course, but you have already submitted an "NG" (No Grade) for the student, you will need to complete a grade change form (available in the Registrar's Office). (2) If a student receives the penalty of a zero on the assignment and reduction of the course grade by one letter grade, you need to calculate the final grade (with the reduction) and either enter it as your final course grade for the student. You would need to submit a grade change form in this circumstance if you have already submitted an "NG" as the student's final grade. In all other cases the Registrar's Office will impose the appropriate penalty.

Students have the right to appeal a panel or board's decision within 48 hours of the hearing. If a student chooses to exercise this option, he or she has the right to attend class pending the Dean of the College's decision.

 

Revised November 2022