Student Conduct | Division for Student Affairs site logo

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Division for Student Affairs

Preparing for a Panel

This is intended to provide a summary of what to expect during the panel process. The panel may make changes to the process on a case-by-case basis while still preserving fundamental fairness and integrity in the process. Questions regarding this process should be directed to the Student Rights & Responsibilities. 

What is an Academic Integrity Panel (AIP)?
  • A formal, non-adversarial meeting between the respondent, the instructor of record, and members of the University Integrity & Conduct Council
Which parties are involved in an AIP?
  • Respondent: the student charged with academic dishonesty
  • Reporting party: the instructor of record who reported the alleged academic dishonesty
  • Case manager: a university administrator who will facilitate the process
  • Academic Integrity Panel: 3 students and 2 faculty members
  • Presiding Officer: a student member of the AIP who will exercise control over the proceedings 
  • Witnesses (sometimes): individuals with relevant information regarding the alleged violation(s) who can be requested by the respondent, the complainant, or a university official
  • Support person (sometimes): person to emotionally or strategically support the respondent
What should you expect?
  • To ask questions regarding the reported violation(s)
  • To answer questions regarding
    • The reported violations
    • The level of your responsibility, if any
    • Your decision-making process during the incident
    • How this incident will impact you in the future
    • What harms occurred and how they can be repaired
  • To interact with the presiding officer and other individuals present by asking and answering questions
What is expected of you?
  • Provide information that is true and accurate
  • Engage in good faith with all involved in the process
  • Dress in a way that is comfortable for you, as you would for class
What happens before the panel?
  • Parties will provide a list of any witnesses they plan to have attending and any documents they would like to present during the proceeding. If the parties plan to have a support person attend, they should provide the name of that person and a waiver confirming their participation. The deadline for providing that information will be sent to the parties.
  • The parties have the option to meet with the case manager during the pre-panel meeting to go over any documents/information that will be provided to the panel, as well as discuss the timeline of events.
What happens during the panel?
  1. The Panel will convene briefly before the parties participate. We strive to arrange private rooms (virtual or in person) in which parties can wait while the panel assembles. 
  2. The parties will join the panel. The presiding officer will start the recording and explain the purpose and expectations of the panel, including that a decision is reached using the preponderance of evidence standard. Everyone present will introduce themselves.
  3. The presiding officer will present and obtain a response for any and all charges of the respondent. The respondent, if present, will provide a response of not responsible or responsible for each charge.

Opening Statements and Questioning of Instructor of Record and Respondent (note that questioning may occur indirectly upon request)

  1. The instructor of record and the respondent may provide opening statements.
  2. The panel and the respondent may ask the instructor of record questions.
  3. The panel and the instructor of record may ask the respondent questions.

Statement and Questioning of Witnesses 

  1. Any university witnesses may make a statement. The instructor of record, the panel, and the respondent may ask the university witnesses questions.
  2. Any witnesses for the instructor of record may make a statement. The instructor of record, the panel, and the respondent may ask the instructor of record’s witnesses questions.
  3. Any witnesses for the respondent may make a statement. The instructor of record, the panel, and the respondent may ask the respondent’s witnesses questions.

Closing statements and Additional Questioning 

  1. The instructor of record can provide any additional information
  2. The panel and the respondent may ask any remaining questions they have for the instructor of record.
  3. The respondent can provide any additional information if they wish.
  4. The panel and the instructor of record may ask the respondent any remaining questions.
  5. The instructor of record may provide their closing statement.
  6. The respondent may provide their closing statement.
  7. The presiding officer will make sure there are no additional or clarifying questions. If not, they will dismiss the parties, and begin the deliberation. 
What happens after the panel?
  • The panel will deliberate all of the information provided during the panel, as well as the case documents.
  • The decision will be made using the preponderance of evidence standard, meaning that it is “more likely than not” that the respondent committed the reported violation(s).
  • If found responsible, the panel will discuss and recommend possible status and active sanctions. The panel will also discuss any mitigating and/or aggravating factors.
  • The panel will provide this information to the SRR case manager.
  • The case manager will contact the respondent with the decision of the panel, and any sanctions, if applicable.