Procedure for Faculty Charging a Student with a Violation

When a faculty member has evidence of an alleged violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the steps listed below should be followed: 

1. Notify the student by e-mail or personal communication of the allegation.
2. Arrange a meeting with the student to be held as soon as possible, but at least within three business days notice to the student. Any discussion of sanctions should be reserved for the meeting. 
• If the student fails to attend a scheduled initial meeting with the faculty without a compelling excuse, the student will lose his/her opportunity to contest the instructor’s finding and/or sanction.
• An exception to meeting with the student may occur at the end of a semester when a student is no longer accessible for a meeting with the faculty member.  In these cases, the faculty member should make every reasonable effort to contact the student by telephone or email to discuss the matter.  If reasonable attempts to contact the student fail, the instructor my resolve the issue by submitting a Violation Report Form which the student has the right to later contest.
• Both faculty and student may invite material witnesses to the meeting who can knowledgeably testify about the alleged infraction.
3. (OPTIONAL) Request that a faculty designee of the AIC be present as an observer of the meeting at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting time. Complete the online Request for AIC Designee form.
• The AIC designee will:
• Ensure that the student knows where to find the Academic Integrity Policy in the Student Conduct Code.
• Inform the student that he/she has the right to contest the instructor’s finding and/or sanction to the AIC based on the guidelines for Contesting an Instructor’s Finding and/or Sanction to the AIC.
• Advise the instructor on the proper paperwork to file regarding the case.
• Observe and not participate in deciding whether a violation has occurred or which sanction should be imposed.
4. Be familiar with the guidelines for sanctions to determine an appropriate sanction for the type of violation.
• A list of recommended instructor-imposed sanctions for various violations of academic integrity can be found in Appendix 6A of the Student Conduct Code. Instructors are encouraged to use these guidelines to ensure consistency and fairness in assessing student sanctions.
5. In the meeting, present the student with the allegation and all evidence in support of the charge against the student.  The student should be given the opportunity to respond and, if she or he wishes, to present evidence refuting the allegation. 
6. At the conclusion of the meeting, determine if it is more likely than not that the student has or has not violated the Academic Integrity Policy, and if so, charge student with a violation of academic dishonesty.
• If the student is found responsible, impose a suitable grade punishment.  Examples of violations and recommended sanctions can be found in Appendix 6A of the Student Conduct Code.
• If more time is needed to decide the case, give the student a reasonable timeframe for a response.
7. After notifying the student of the sanction, complete the Violation Report Form which can be found in Appendix 6D or at on the Academic Integrity website.
8. The completed Academic Integrity Violation Form must be submitted by the instructor to the AIC in the Office of the Chancellor. The form may also be sent by e-mail to aic@chapman.edu.  In most cases, submission of this form will complete the academic integrity violation process for the faculty member.
9. The student will receive a letter of sanction from the AIC Chair along with information for contesting the instructor’s findings and/or sanctions.