06.05.04.01

Initiation of Cases

06.05.04.01
Initiation of Cases If a Faculty member suspects that an act of academic misconduct has occurred, the Faculty member must promptly communicate with the student regarding the allegation and the information upon which it is based; the notification process must occur within 28 calendar days from the discovery of the alleged act. The Faculty member may make a request for an extension of time through the Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs. If the discovery is made by a student, teaching assistant, reader, grader or tutor that individual should immediately communicate with the Faculty member in charge of the course, so that the Faculty member in charge can proceed with the investigation. Communication with the student can either be in writing or in the form of an in-person consultation. Written communication should be sent to the student’s University e-mail address. Consultations should be conducted in a manner that respects the student's privacy. When multiple students are involved, the Faculty member should communicate with each student separately. At the consultation, the Faculty member or the student may request the presence of the University Ombuds. The student must be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation of academic misconduct. Students will be given 14 calendar days to respond after the initial communication of the allegation. After conferring with the student and/or considering the student’s response, the Faculty member may determine that there has been no academic misconduct, in which case the Faculty member may dismiss the allegation and take no further action. If the Faculty member determines that it is more likely than not that the student committed an act of academic misconduct, regardless of the student’s intent to engage in misconduct or admission of responsibility, the case will be forwarded to the Associate Dean of Graduate Academic Affairs to begin initial administrative review. The Graduate Academic Integrity Violation Referral must be submitted and accompanied by all original documentation supporting the charge (including a copy of the course syllabus and other written communication that addresses academic integrity standards and expectations for the course, exam, or research compliance). Faculty members who will not be available to participate fully in resolving allegations (e.g., Individuals holding part-time or temporary appointments, those on sabbatical or other leave, or those leaving University employment) must provide a copy of all documentation to the immediate supervising administrator: department chair, program director, center director, or dean of school, who will serve as a proxy for the Faculty member to conclude the case. In the instance of research non-compliance, a university official responsible for research compliance may take on the role of a Faculty member and follow the same procedures.
06.05.04.01.01
Student Admits Responsibility If the student admits responsibility for the alleged academic misconduct, the Faculty member may immediately impose an appropriate academic sanction. Academic sanctions are appropriate outcomes of assignment grades, course grades, or exam results. For alleged research non-compliance, the Faculty member or university official may immediately impose an appropriate sanction. Sanctions for research non-compliance may include temporary suspension from the lab, halting of all research activity, publication delay or retraction, additional training, or NC grade in research units. The Faculty member or university official must document the case and the sanction on the Graduate Academic Integrity Violation Referral and send the form to the Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs will determine an appropriate educational/disciplinary sanction for the student to complete in addition to what has already been imposed within 14 calendar days of receiving the referral. The goal of the sanction is to improve the student’s knowledge regarding Academic Integrity for graduate students.
06.05.04.01.02
Student Does Not Admit Responsibility If the student does not admit responsibility, the Faculty member must note on the referral form the appropriate academic sanction if the student is found responsible. Academic sanctions are appropriate outcomes of assignment grades, course grades, or exam results. The Faculty member will evaluate the disputed assignment or examination on its merits and note the grade to be assigned if the student is not found responsible. If grades are due while the case is in progress, the Faculty member should assign a temporary grade placeholder of Grade Delay “GD” pending the outcome of the review process. For alleged research non-compliance, the Faculty member or university official must note the appropriate sanction on the referral form. Sanctions for research non-compliance may include temporary suspension from the lab, halting of all research activity, publication delay or retraction, additional training, or NC grade in research units. Upon receipt of the Graduate Academic Integrity Violation Referral, the Associate Dean for Graduate Academic Affairs will notify the student of the University of California Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline that was allegedly violated, the factual basis for the charges, and the plan to conduct an Initial Administrative Review of the case. The student will be advised that the Initial Administrative Review is intended as a thorough exposition of all related facts and written materials associated with the alleged academic misconduct, and that it is not intended as an adversarial criminal or civil legal proceeding. The student will also be informed of the student’s right to be assisted by an advisor of the student’s choice. Such written notification will occur within 14 calendar days of the receipt of the referral by the Associate Dean and will be sent to the student’s University e-mail address.
06.05.04.01.03
A student officially notified of alleged academic misconduct may not withdraw from the course until the determination of responsibility is made and any sanctions are imposed. If found responsible, a sanction for a violation of academic integrity that affects the course grade will be applied. If the student is found not responsible for academic misconduct, the student will be permitted to withdraw from the course in accordance with campus regulations.