Guidance for Reporting Parties

Student Rights & Responsibilities has created the following suggested guidance to assist in conversations regarding academic integrity.

  • Review the Code of Academic Integrity if you suspect academic dishonesty. Identify applicable violation(s) and collect information associated with the alleged violation(s) (documents, papers, emails, etc.).
  • Submit a charge of academic dishonesty form and propose a sanction consistent with the nature of the violation.
  • Share the concerns and evidence with the student and give them a chance to respond.  Discuss the alleged violation(s) and the proposed sanction(s) in a constructive conversation about the importance of academic integrity within the classroom.
  • Refer the student to our office so that they can understand their rights in the process.
  • Allow the student time to consider a course of action, typically three business days.

Prepare for the conversation:

  • Be clear about identifying the behavior.
  • Be compassionate about the student’s experience because they may be feeling significant stress.
  • Be candid about your interpretations and your feelings about the incident.
What You Can Say
  • Begin your intervention with a statement. For example, “I have concerns about a recent assignment and would like to have a conversation with you about it.”
  • Start the conversation with a question. For example, “What was your process for completing the assignment?”
  • Express your concerns about the assignment after listening to the student’s story and give the student a chance to respond to those concerns. For example, “I am concerned because the information I have suggests that you may have cheated. Is that an accurate assessment? Why or why not?”
  • Tell the student what you plan to do next, which could include considering the matter further or reporting the incident.
  • Provide the student with resources regarding the Academic Integrity Process and the contact information for our office.

Adapted from UC San Diego Academic Integrity Office

  • Prepare for the conversation:
    • Be clear about identifying the behavior.
    • Be compassionate about the student’s experience because they may be feeling significant stress.
    • Be candid about your interpretations and your feelings about the incident.
  • What You Can Say
    • Begin your intervention with a statement. For example, “I have concerns about a recent assignment and would like to have a conversation with you about it.”
    • Start the conversation with a question. For example, “What was your process for completing the assignment?”
    • Express your concerns about the assignment after listening to the student’s story and give the student a chance to respond to those concerns. For example, “I am concerned because the information I have suggests that you may have cheated. Is that an accurate assessment? Why or why not?”
    • Tell the student what you plan to do next, which could include considering the matter further or reporting the incident.
    • Provide the student with resources regarding the Academic Integrity Process and the contact information for our office.

Adapted from UC San Diego Academic Integrity Office