Office of the Dean
Information for Students
Frequently Asked Questions
- My professor accused me of cheating but I'm innocent. How can I appeal?
- I think that my roommate is using my homework to do his/her assignment, what can I do?
- What is plagiarism? What constitutes cheating?
- Does the University offer any protections for students' rights?
- If I get caught cheating who finds out?
- I heard that if you have two violations then you automatically get suspended, is that true?
My professor accused me of cheating but I’m innocent. How can I appeal?
You should begin by speaking with the faculty member in order to explain your perspective and try to understand theirs as well. You might also request to meet with the department head if your conversation with the faculty member is not productive. If the faculty member and department head feel certain that a violation of the course policy has occurred then there is a formal process for appeal outlined in The Word student handbook. The initial step of that process is writing a letter to the Dean of Student Affairs requesting an appeal. Check out the “student appeals” section of the policy for detailed information.
I think that my roommate is using my homework to do his/her assignment, what can I do?
Only you will know what response is appropriate for you in this situation. Consider talking about the situation with someone that you trust and respect to get their opinion. Hopefully you will be able to talk with your roommate about the situation directly while also taking precautions with your own work. If you think that your work will look very similar to the grader, you may want to discuss the situation with the faculty member or TA.
What is plagiarism? What constitutes cheating?
The University policy on cheating and plagiarism is a pretty clear definition. Keep in mind that faculty members also set individual standards for appropriate academic conduct in their courses. You are responsible to the university policy but also to course policies communicated on blackboard, in the syllabus and in class.
Does the University offer any protections for students’ rights?
Yes, the rights and responsibilities of students are outlined in The WORD student handbook specifically in the Goals, Rights, and Responsibilities section.
If I get caught cheating who finds out?
University policy requires the faculty member report the incident to their department head and associate dean as well as the department head and associate dean of the student (if different) and the Dean of Student Affairs. Records of incidents are not released to parents, employers, or graduate schools without the written consent of the student.
I heard that if you have two violations then you automatically get suspended, is that true?
Suspension is not an automatic outcome for multiple violations of academic integrity. However, a second or multiple violations automatically triggers a “second level review” of the incidents. This involves a meeting of the academic review board to hear the case and make a determination about your continued student status. The most common outcome of a second level review is suspension typically for one year.