Academic Integrity Committee FAQs for Students & Faculty

We know this is a very stressful situation and that students will have a lot of questions. The first step after receiving an Academic Integrity email is to set up a meeting with the Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) who sent the email with the academic integrity complaint notification. At this meeting, the AIO assigned to the case will listen to the student’s concerns, explain the process, and provide the student with two options:

• to waive the hearing: this option is best to choose when a student did violate the academic integrity policy. More information about what happens if this choice is selected can be found under the “What happens if I waive a hearing?” section below.
• to request a hearing: this option is best to choose when a student has not violated the academic integrity policy and has evidence that can be presented to support this. To make this decision, students may wish to consider these guidelines. More information about what happens if this choice is selected can be found under the “What happens if I request a hearing?” section below.

Students have one week (7 calendar days) after the meeting with the AIO to notify the AIO of their decision via email The AIO will then proceed accordingly.

At any point during the process, students may contact people such as the AIO, four-year advisor, major advisor, mental health counselor, peers, family, etc., with any questions or simply just to discuss the situation.
It is important to approach this matter with patience. The process exists as a way to provide fairness to everyone involved.

There are several resources available at the university. The resources listed below are a non-exhaustive list: 

Academic

• Your four-year advisor
• College advisors at Drop-in Advising 
• The Writing Center
• The Learning Center
• Writing Center Workshops

Mental Health

• Habif Health and Wellness Center
• Mental Health Treatment and Direct Support Services
• Let’s Talk
• Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling
• Timely Care Telehealth
• WashU Cares

By waiving a hearing, the student is assuming responsibility for the complaint brought forward. The AIO will prepare a letter stating that the student waived the hearing. This letter will be shared with the student, the instructor who submitted the complaint, the AIOs, and anyone else who needs this information (for example: the AIO of another school, if the violation occurred in an Arts & Sciences course and the student is doing their primary major in another school). 

The letter is also added to the student’s records. These can be seen by University administrators and the student’s advisors. Information about being involved in a case of academic integrity can be requested by professional and graduate schools, as well as future employers. This information does not appear on a student’s transcript. 

If a student waives a hearing/if a student is found in violation, they may choose to write a mitigation letter. This letter is shared with the instructor and added to their disciplinary file.

Once a hearing is requested, the AIO works with the academic integrity coordinator to schedule the hearing. This requires scheduling at least 2 consecutive hours when the following people can all be present: student, instructor, AIO, two student members and two faculty members of the AIC, any witness(es) and support people brought by the student and/or instructor. Supporting materials must be submitted one week (7 calendar days) prior to the scheduled hearing day and time. 

Prior to the hearing, all panel members will have carefully read the materials submitted by both the student and the instructor. At the hearing, the instructor and student will have the opportunity to present orally any summary, context-setting, or explanatory remarks, and any witness testimony they wish. Following each participant's statement, the panel members will pose questions. The student and instructor will also have the opportunity to ask questions. Once all questions have been asked and answered, the student and instructor will be dismissed from the hearing. The AIC panel will then deliberate and vote based on the preponderance of evidence. This means that, based on evidence provided, the panel is deciding whether or not it is more likely than not that a student violated the academic integrity policy.

If the panel votes that it is more likely than not that a student did violate the academic integrity policy, the AIO will prepare a letter stating the rationale for the panel members’ decision. This letter will be shared with the student, the instructor who submitted the complaint, the AIOs, and anyone else who needs this information (for example: the AIO of another school, if the violation occurred in an Arts & Sciences course and the student's primary major is in another school). The letter is also added to the student’s records. The letter can be seen by university administrators and student’s advisors; information about whether a violation of the policy occurred can be requested by professional and graduate schools, as well as future employers. In cases that do not result in suspension or expulsion, this information does not appear on a student’s transcript.

If the panel votes that it is more likely than not that a student did not violate the academic integrity policy, the AIO will prepare a letter stating the rationale for the panel members’ decision. This letter will be shared with the student, the instructor who submitted the complaint, and the AIOs. The letter does not get added to the student’s records; a record of the outcome in the student’s favor is sent to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. The case information remains in the College’s internal system. 

To facilitate a fair and prompt hearing process, it is important to provide all hearing materials in a timely manner. At the very least, a student should prepare a statement responding to the instructor’s complaint. Other materials that can be presented include, but are not limited to, documents that show evidence to support the student’s response such as electronic files, scans of physical documents, screenshots of browsing history, screenshots of text messages, etc. If a student needs assistance acquiring certain documents pertinent to their case, they may request assistance from the AIO.

As much as possible, materials should be dated. The more specifics that can be provided, the better.

While students prepare for the hearing, they may consult with people in their network such as a four-year advisor, major advisor, peers, family, mental health counselor, etc. 

Students can also meet with the AIO to talk about evidence, although the AIO cannot advise the student on how or what evidence to prepare. 

Some students have received guidance from lawyers. However, you do not need a lawyer. You can get all the support needed from the AIOs, peers, and other people in your life. Academic integrity hearings are not legal situations and, therefore, do not necessitate the use of a lawyer.

If a student has been found to be more likely than not in violation of the academic integrity policy, whether by waiving a hearing or after a hearing before the AIC panel, the AIO prepares a letter that gets added to the students’ records.

Sanctions are decided by the instructor of the course. Sanctions may range from a lower grade on an assignment to receiving a failing grade for the course. Depending on the severity of the case, students may be referred directly to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS).

If a student waives a hearing/if a student is found in violation, they may choose to write a mitigation letter. This letter is shared with the instructor and added to their disciplinary file.

If a student already has a record of a previous academic integrity policy violation and decides to waive the hearing after meeting with the AIO or is found to have been more likely than not in violation, the student is referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Making mistakes is normal, and the process of academic integrity at WashU exists to help ensure fairness and to provide guidance to students and instructors. 

When a student is found in violation, the College reports that outcome to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Letters of finding may be accessed by university administrators. The university is obligated to share student conduct records, including incidents of academic misconduct, with campus partners, other educational institutions, and federal employers in accordance with their reporting policy. Admissions committees and federal employers often request this information in order to gain a full understanding of the applicant. However, a violation of academic integrity does not necessarily mean that you will not be accepted to a job or a graduate program. Many admissions committees have a process that provides applicants the opportunity to explain the circumstances of the violation, and to write or speak about what they learned from the experience. Thoughtful responses to such questions may assist your application.

Yes. Once students receive a letter with the notification of having been found to be more likely than not in violation of the academic integrity policy, an appeal request can be made to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. This appeal must be made within 14 days of receiving the letter.

Ideally, students should not violate the academic integrity policy. Instructors can help reduce academic integrity violations in several ways, including but not limited to:

• Provide clear statements on the course syllabus and in class. The Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Provost provide a syllabus template and guidance that can help with language.
• Give examples of what may constitute a violation of academic integrity in a specific course.
• Ask for help from more experienced colleagues, Department Chair, Director, or Academic Integrity Officers (AIOs).

The most frequent types of complaints are plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on assignments or exams, and inappropriate collaboration. 

Detailed information about submitting an AI complaint can be found here. 

When an instructor is not sure about submitting a complaint, help can be requested from Department Chairs, Directors, and colleagues. Instructors can also meet with the AIO   to walk through the process. More information of what happens on the students’ side of things can be found in the “FAQs for Students” section on this page.

When in doubt, it is best to consult with someone. It is preferred that complaints get brought forward rather than not to ensure that the university has a record of the violation and that the individuals involved receive support.

If a student waives a hearing, or is found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy by the AIC panel, the instructor(s) then decide the sanction. Colleagues, the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC), and AIOs can provide suggestions, but ultimately the instructor makes the final decision. Sanctions may range from a lower grade on an assignment to receiving a failing grade for the course. Depending on the severity of the case, the AIOs may refer students directly to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS). This decision is made in consultation with staff at OSCCS and University general counsel.

Instructors are allowed to meet with the students before and after submitting a complaint. This is at the discretion of the instructor. If instructors prefer not to meet with the student, then they can direct the student to speak with the AIO handling the case. Most faculty find it helpful to direct the student to the AIO who serves as a neutral third party.

Yes, a complaint can always be withdrawn by the instructor.

There are several resources available at the university. The resources listed below are a non-exhaustive list:

Academic

• College of Arts & Sciences Academic Integrity Officers (AIOs)
  • Maya Ganapathy
  • Lana Kelly Hilliard
  • Gabriela Szteinberg Mirowitz
  • Ann Torrusio
• Department Chair and Colleagues in Department
• The Center for Teaching and Learning

Mental Health

• Human Resources Mental Health and Mind/Body Support