Academic Integrity Process

In instances where an instructor has reason to believe that a student has violated the Student Code of Conduct, or the integrity policies and practices specific to their course, the instructor should collect and preserve all evidence of the suspected violation(s). Instructors may discuss their suspicions with the student as an aspect of their collection of evidence, or at any point in which they feel it is appropriate, but are not required to do so. Instructors should then consult with another member of their department (preferably the head of the department or chair of the program) to evaluate their suspicion. Wherever possible, the instructor should conceal the identity of the student(s) who are alleged to have committed the violation so that the review can be completed ‘blindly’. If the instructor’s allegation is affirmed by the second member of the department, the instructor should submit a Referral to the Office of Advising and Co-Curricular programs. The referral should include a statement that succinctly explains the allegations and include all other relevant information and documents such as the course syllabus, assignment rubric, copies of student work, recordings, and any other materials that support their allegation. The Associate Dean of Advising is available to provide assistance with any aspect of this process particularly if there are questions or concerns related to veracity of the allegation. Upon receipt and review of the referral, the Associate Dean will assign a Case Administrator to the case who will contact the reporting professor to review specific details of the case. After meeting with the Reporting Instructor, the Case Administrator will send a secure and certified delivery letter through college email to inform the student of the alleged violation and direct them to attend a mandatory appointment that has been scheduled in accordance with their class schedule. During this meeting, they will have an opportunity to review the instructor’s allegation, ask questions, and gain an understanding of their rights and responsibilities. 

The Case Administrator will confirm that the student/respondent has received and opened the letter. If the respondent has not opened the letter within 24 hours of the scheduled meeting, the Case Administrator will pursue alternative means to ensure the respondent is notified and may need to reschedule the Case Administrator Meeting to ensure that at least 48 hours notice is provided. Alternative means may include phone calls, texts, or hand delivery to the respondent’s residence. 

Within 8 hours of the meeting appointment, the Case Administrator will electronically share the pertinent case materials with the respondent. During the first meeting, the respondent’s procedural rights are reviewed, and the respondent is notified of the particular way in which the Academic Integrity Policy was alleged to have been violated. The respondent receives the instructor’s written statement with all supporting case documents. In addition, the respondent is provided an overview of the investigation and adjudication process and advised of their rights and responsibilities as a respondent in the case. There will be ample opportunity for the respondent to ask questions and receive clarification regarding the process and their rights. The respondent may be accompanied by an individual chosen as adviser by the respondent from the student body, faculty, or administrative officers of the College. However, Case Administrator meetings are not open to family members, counselors, consultants, lawyers, or other individuals from outside the Lafayette campus community. 

Upon acknowledgement by the respondent that they understand their rights and responsibilities, the respondent has the option to discuss the circumstances surrounding the alleged violation(s) with the Case Administrator. If the Respondent would like to accept responsibility, they may complete the Acceptance of Responsibility form with the Case Administrator which will expedite their case and allow them to receive a minimal and educational-focused sanction as outlined below. However, there is no requirement that the respondent make a decision by the conclusion of the meeting.

It is expected that the respondent determines their response to the allegations within 7-10 days following the meeting with the Case Administrator. Eligibility for a particular Resolution Path is based on a variety of factors that will have been explained during the Case Administrator Meeting. Factors that influence eligibility include the level of the offense, the value of the assignment/assessment in question, respondent cooperation, and the existence of any prior offenses on the respondent’s record. 

Sanctions are determined by the Case Administrator or Hearing Panel following the completion of all resolution path proceedings. The respondent is informed of the outcome in writing via a password-required certified letter that is sent through the Maxient Software Platform. The Outcome Letter will provide specific information regarding the type and duration of sanctions and any other requirements imposed as an outcome of the case. The letter also contains a link to the online form that must be completed in order for the respondent to appeal the outcome of the case. 

Students found responsible for a violation have the right to appeal their case under one or more of the following specific circumstances:

• Procedural Deviation: A student may appeal if they believe a technical error in the process significantly altered the result of the hearing.
• Newly Discovered Evidence: An appeal is permissible if relevant information, previously inaccessible during the initial proceedings, is brought to light and has the potential to change the decision.
• Disproportionate Sanctioning: An appeal may be filed if the assigned disciplinary consequences are demonstrated to be excessively severe relative to the nature of the infraction.

Students who accept responsibility for the violation are only permitted to file an appeal on the basis of Disproportionate Sanctioning. 

A respondent who wishes to appeal the decision of a case administrator or hearing panel must follow the instructions contained within their outcome letter to submit the appeal. Appeals must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the third business day following the date of the outcome letter using the Outcome Appeal Form which will be linked within their outcome letter. The form will prompt respondents to:

• Specifically state the ground(s) for the appeal;
• Offer a detailed supporting rationale for each circumstance they wish to appeal;
• Include any relevant documentation or information that the panel is requested to review including a list of any witnesses that the student would like to present before the panel; and
• State what action the appeals panel is requested to take.

The Dean of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs will review the information provided to determine whether the request for appeal identifies at least one legitimate issue that conforms to the established grounds for appeal and establishes a basis for review. If so, the Dean of Advising will identify three appeal panel participants from the Student Affairs Committee, who were not involved in the original decision. If review by the Dean of Advising and Student Co-Curricular Programs does not reveal a legitimate issue of appeal, the dean will notify the appellant and indicate the rationale for not accepting the appeal and the case will be closed. 

If there is a basis for appeal, the Appeal Committee Meeting will be held within 5 business days of receipt of the appeal and the Dean of Advising & Co-Curricular Programs will notify the respondent/appellant of the outcome and advise on any additional steps the appellant should take based on the committee decision.