ACADEMIC INTEGRITY PROCESS

We have provided a step-by-step guide to the academic integrity process. Items with a check box (☐) indicate something that may help you along the way.

1. The academic integrity process is initiated by your instructor.

Your instructor has reason to believe that you have violated academic integrity policy. Your instructor will schedule a meeting where the two of you can discuss the incident. Generally, the Center for Community Standards is not involved at this stage.

Find resources and support.

▢ Select an advisor.  An advisor can help you throughout any stage of the process. This is not the same as your academic or career advisor. For your benefit, we have selected and trained WSU faculty and staff members who have volunteered to serve as advisors. You can find a list of those trained advisors here. You may also choose to have any WSU faculty or staff member, or community member serve as an advisor, as long as they are not a witness to the reported incident.

Your advisor can support you by providing advice, clarifying the process, and attending meetings and your hearing. They can contact us to get information about meeting dates, your status in the process, and assigned sanctions, if any. It’s important you know that your advisor cannot speak on your behalf or represent you as an attorney.

▢ Request disability or medically related accommodations. If you would benefit from accommodations, please contact us.

▢ Request a language interpreter. Contact us if you need an interpreter to attend meetings, your hearing, or review documents. You can request a language interpreter at any stage throughout the process.

2. Your instructor determines your responsibility.

Your instructor will determine your responsibility and the academic sanction according to the course policies. To determine you are responsible, the instructor must decide that you "more likely than not" violated academic integrity policies. 

If your instructor determines you are responsible, they will send you and the Center for Community Standards a notice of the decision, and information they used in the decision-making process. If your instructor determines you are not responsible, the matter is closed. 

☐  If you agree with your instructor that you did violate academic integrity policies and accept the academic sanction, the community standards process (beginning at #2) will proceed with assigning additional community standards sanctions.

☐  If you do not agree with your instructor’s decision or your academic sanction, you have 21 calendar days from the date of the decision to submit an appeal and request a review by the Academic Integrity Hearing Board. During the 21 days and while your appeal is pending, you should remain in the class and complete the requirements as assigned.

The Center for Community Standards will request that the Academic Integrity Appeals Board conduct a separate, independent assessment of your responsibility for the reported violation and the outcomes imposed by your instructor. 

If you appeal the decision:

3. Prepare for and attend your Academic Integrity Hearing Board (only if you have chosen to appeal).

You will receive an email with the date, time, and location of your scheduled Academic Integrity Board hearing, with at least 7 days notice. Your hearing is closed to the public. However, your instructor, witnesses provided by yourself or the Center for Community Standards, and your advisor are allowed to attend. If you choose not to attend your hearing, a decision will be made (based on the information available) in your absence.

☐   If you choose to have an advisor, invite your advisor to your hearing. They cannot speak for you, but you can take breaks during your hearing to consult with them.

 ☐ If you need to reschedule your hearing, you will need to provide good reason and inform the chair of the Academic Integrity Appeals Board. You can contact the Academic Integrity Appeals Board chair through the Center for Community Standards.

A decision is made.

From the date of your hearing, you will be notified within 20 calendar days of the decision. The decision is final at that time. There are no further appeals processes. Your instructor and Dean and/or Department Chair will be notified of the decision.

If the Academic Integrity Hearing Board reviews the instructor's decision and determines you are responsible, the community standards process (beginning at #2) will proceed with assigning additional community standards sanctions. 

If the Academic Integrity Hearing Board determines you were not responsible, the matter is closed. 

Still have questions?

Please contact us if you need help at any point.