If you're facing academic misconduct charges at UC Davis, it's important to understand the procedures at the school, as well as the possible impact on your future.
What Is The UC Davis Code Of Academic Conduct?
TheUC Davis Code of Academic Conduct is the regulatory document governing academic misconduct at UC Davis. At UC Davis, academic misconduct includes six different areas: plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration on evaluated coursework, misuse of an instructor's course materials or another's materials, cheating on exams or assignments, lying or fraud, and misuse of university properties or resources.
Cheating on exams or other coursework falls under Section 102.01.1.A and while some of the offensive behavior is similar to other schools (looking at another student's exams), other examples are not as common, such as 102.01.1.A.4 “Not following an instructor's directions” and 102.01.1.A.10 “Unexcused exit and reentry during an exam period.”
The description of what constitutes plagiarism (102.01.1.B) includes failing to cite someone else's ideas or work, creating false citations, and representing previous work as if it is your original or new work.
Perhaps less commonly spelled out so specifically, is the lying and fraud section E., Lying or fraud:
- Giving false excuses to obtain exceptions for deadlines, to postpone an exam or assignment, or for other reasons
- Forging signatures or submitting documents containing false information
- Making false statements regarding attendance at class sessions, requests for late drops, incomplete grades, or other reasons
Who Handles Reports Of Academic Misconduct At UC Davis?
Suspected academic misconduct must be reported to the Office of Student Support and Judicial Affairs (OSSJA). Professors have 45 days from the end of the quarter during which the suspected academic misconduct occurred, to file a report.
Once OSSJA receives a report, they will evaluate the merits of the allegation and decide whether or not further inquiry is necessary. If they decide to move forward, they will email the student and notify them of the suspected academic misconduct. Students normally have three days to schedule an appointment with OSSJA, although OSSJA may choose a shorter deadline.
How Are Academic Misconduct Reports Resolved By OSSJA?
There are three possible procedures that OSSJA may use to resolve academic misconduct allegations: informal resolution, unilateral action, or a formal hearing. Let's review each of them individually.
Informal Resolution
Informal resolution occurs when OSSJA and the student come to an agreement. Often, several meetings may occur. In the first meeting, the judicial officer will inform the student about the student conduct process and will let them know that the burden of proof rests with the university. The student may respond, ask questions, and “request access to their educational records as provided in University PPM 320-21.” There are two key parts that follow in this section. First, a student may remain silent without any inference of guilt. Providing false information may be used later, and it may be the reason for additional charges or sanctions. Second, there is information about an advisor.
Section 103.10.7.5 states: “A reported student may consult and/or be accompanied by an advisor of their choice at any point during the informal process; however, students are expected to speak for themselves if the student chooses to do so. The advisor may, at the student's own expense, be an attorney. The advisor may not be another student who has been reported for the same incident or is a potential witness to the incident. OSSJA also reserves the right to limit the number of individuals who may accompany a student to a conduct meeting. Generally, OSSJA allows one person to accompany a reported student as an advisor.”
OSSJA and the student may resolve the case through a written agreement that states whether the violation is acknowledged and the violation that took place. If they also agree on the penalty, the agreement will include the chosen sanctions.
Unilateral Action
Unilateral action occurs when OSSJA has to unilaterally resolve the academic misconduct. Section 103.10.9.A details seven circumstances under which OSSJA may take unilateral action. There are severe consequences if unilateral action is taken, including administrative holds, probation, suspension, and dismissal from UC Davis.
Formal Hearing
A formal hearing is a final resort, when OSSJA and the student have not been able to resolve the academic misconduct allegation informally. Usually, this occurs when there is a dispute. Section 103.11.1 describes the Formal Hearing Procedures at UC Davis, and 103.11.2.C details a student's eleven rights, if facing a formal hearing procedure.
Generally, the Campus Judicial Board (CJB) panel hears disputes regarding alleged academic misconduct. These panels are comprised of three members, at least one of which must be a student.
If a student chooses to have an attorney-advisor accompany them at the hearing, they must notify the Director within three days of the Notice of Hearing's date. Usually, the notice of hearing will arrive via email at least ten days before the scheduled date.
Any information for the hearing must be sent to OSSJA in advance. This includes everything from copies of evidence to names of potential witnesses along with the purpose of that individual's testimony.
After the formal hearing is concluded, students have the option to file an appeal within the timeline set by the notice of decision letter. Usually this is ten days. 103.11.7.D describes the possible reasons a student might appeal.
What Are Potential Consequences For Violations?
Possible sanctions vary, depending on the offense and the number of occurrences. If the penalty imposed is suspension, dismissal, or dismissal of graduation, then it will be noted on the student's transcript with the phrasing, “Disciplinary Suspension from UC Davis for Academic Misconduct” or Disciplinary Dismissal from the University of California for Academic Misconduct.”
If you are facing academic misconduct charges at UC Davis, you want the best attorney-advisor to assist you in navigating the complex procedures at the university. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm care passionately about students' due process rights and will fight for the best possible outcome. Over the years, they have helped countless students across the United States successfully resolve academic misconduct allegations and the potential consequences. Contact them online or call them today at 888.535.3686.
