Suppose you or a loved one is facing academic integrity charges at the University of San Diego. In that case, you must be aware of the potential implications and consequences of the academic misconduct allegations. The hard work it's taken to get to college could all be wiped away, depending on the severity of the violation. It's critical that you do not admit to anything without first speaking with an attorney-advisor who can help you navigate the university's process. If you admit to the academic integrity violation, you can appeal the sanctions, but still have the acceptance of responsibility on your academic record.
What Constitutes An Academic Integrity Violation At UC San Diego?
The parameters of what qualifies as an academic integrity violation are listed in the UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship. Although the policy, for the most part, does not list broad generalizations such as “bribe” or “cheat,” it does spell out quite clearly and specifically problematic behaviors. The foundation of what is considered academic integrity rests on the school's definition of what is the student's responsibility: “To uphold academic integrity, students shall:
- Complete and submit academic work that is their own and that is an honest and fair representation of their knowledge and abilities at the time of submission.
- Know and follow the standards of the class and the institution.
Thus, no student shall engage in an activity that undermines academic integrity or facilitates academic integrity violations by others.”
The rest of the section on student responsibilities offers seven points of what constitutes academic integrity violations, including allowing someone else to complete your work, altering graded assignments and then resubmitting them, and acquiring material that contains answers to any assignments or tests without the instructor's express permission.
Which Disciplinary Process Does My Case Fall Under?
If you have an outstanding case from the 2019-2020 academic year, your proceedings will follow the 2019-2020 UC San Diego Senate Policy on Integrity of Scholarship, unless you opt-in to the newer policy. If your case occurs after September 2020, the new procedures apply to you. What are the main differences between these proceedings? Some of the changes are timeline-oriented. For example, under the 2019-2020 Procedure, students have 5 business days to submit a sanction or AIR appeal. Under the new procedure, students have 10 business days to do so.
Other changes are procedural and allow for some of the remote-learning we've become accustomed to with COVID-19. The new procedure allows for instructor-student resolutions to occur via email, rather than requiring a meeting and a form.
If you're curious about how to decide which option is best for you (if your case is from AY 2019-2020), then take a look here for a handy chart.
What Is The Academic Integrity Review Board?
The Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB) is an administrative meeting that takes place to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the alleged academic integrity violation occurred. An AIR would only transpire if a student contests the alleged academic integrity violation, and the professor or instructor of the course did not withdraw their allegation.
At UC San Diego, there are two types of AIRs. The first, an AIR I, specifically reviews cases for students who are not facing expulsion or separation from the school. The hearing is informal, and primarily looks at the gathered documentation. Participants would not be questioned. An AIR I usually takes a quarter in order to resolve.
An AIR II is a formal hearing, specifically for students who are potentially separating from the university. As a result, there is a document review, and students can “present documents and witnesses” and “cross-examine witnesses presented by the university.
Neither of the AIRs will recommend or change sanctions, nor will they take into consideration the student's character or intention.
What Are Possible Sanctions?
There is a range of potential sanctions at UC San Diego, depending on the academic integrity violation. Each violation, however, will have at least three, possibly four components.
There will be a $50 administrative fee that posts to the student's account.
Next, the student will have to participate in academic integrity training.
Academic integrity training is delivered via Canvas and begins with pre-requisites. There are three pre-requisites to complete within ten days of the date on your sanctions letter. There are four possible AI trainings: AI Seminar, Collaborating with Integrity, Strategies, and Tools to Prevent Plagiarism, and How to Paraphrase Effectively (Writing with Sources). Once completed, you must take an assessment.
The third component of the sanctions will be a disciplinary action, per the sanctioning guidelines. The sanctioning guidelines detail the points system, which is designed “to provide guidance to ensure consistent and fair sanctioning across the general campus.” The criteria for points includes: violation history, type of violation, student time at UC San Diego, the value of the assessment, and additional considerations. Once points are determined, the possible sanctions include: a written reprimand, probation until graduation, suspension for a quarter, a year's suspension, and dismissal.
Per their guidelines, repeat violations will generally receive a higher sanction than their past violation, regardless of the point value.
In addition to these sanctions, “students may receive an academic sanction from the instructor for the course which can range from a 0 on the assignment/exam in question to an F in the class. The grade received as a result of an academic integrity violation stays calculated into the student's GPA even if the student retakes the class.”
Best Academic Integrity Defense Attorney-Advisor
When navigating academic integrity allegations at UC San Diego, all of the procedures as outlined in the code of conduct and procedural codes can be confusing. With so much of your future at stake, you want to make sure you have the best on your side, fighting for your due process rights. Attorney Joseph D. Lento has helped countless students across the nation fight their academic integrity allegations. Let him and the Lento Law Firm assist you. Call today at 888.535.3686 or contact us online today.
