Academic Integrity FAQs

What should I do if my instructor asks to hold a conference with me to discuss an alleged academic integrity violation?

Answer
You should attend the conference with the instructor to discuss the allegation. If you have knowingly violated the code, you should admit to the act and sign “Responsible” on the Student Response portion of the Incident Report presented by the instructor. If you believe you have not violated the code, you should request for an academic integrity hearing and sign “Not Responsible” on the Student Response portion of the Incident Report.

What if I accept responsibility for the violation?

Answer

If you accept responsibility for an academic integrity violation and it is your first offense, the sanction(s) proposed by your professor will be imposed. Additionally, you will be required to complete the RAISE Academic Integrity Tutorial at a cost of $20 which will be billed to your student account. Upon completion of the tutorial, you will be required to meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator for a Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation meeting.

If it is your second or subsequent violation, the case will be required to be referred to a hearing panel.

What if I do not accept responsibility for the violation?

Answer
If you do not accept responsibility for the violation, the case will be referred to a hearing panel comprised of two faculty members and one student panelist. The hearing will be typically headed by the Academic Integrity Coordinator.

I received a hearing notification from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. What does that mean?

Answer
This means that the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution has received a report that you were involved in an alleged violation of the Academic Integrity Code. You receive a hearing notification through your Marymount email address when you do not accept responsibility for the alleged violation as indicated on the Student Response portion of the Incident Report or if the alleged violation is your second or third offense. A hearing is held to determine your responsibility and the appropriate sanction(s) for the alleged violation.

How do I prepare for a hearing?

Answer

You should review all information related to the hearing such as the charge and the evidence indicated in the Hearing Notification and Hearing Document letters sent to your Marymount email. You should also review the Academic Integrity Code before your scheduled hearing date.

This is your opportunity to give your side of the story in regard to the alleged violation. Be truthful and honest; panelists take this into consideration regarding findings and sanctioning. The goal of the hearing is to have an open dialogue. If you do not participate in the hearing, the hearing will continue as scheduled and a decision will be rendered in your absence.

Can I bring anyone with me to the hearing?

Answer

Yes. You are entitled to bring an advisor to the hearing. Advisors are required to be current University faculty, staff, or student. Parents, family members, legal counsel, alumni, and those persons who have no affiliation with the University are excluded from the definition of “Advisor” and are not permitted to be in the hearing. The role of the Advisor is to provide emotional and personal support for the student. Advisors may not speak during a hearing.

You are also permitted to present witnesses during hearings. Witnesses are required to be current University faculty, staff, or student. Witnesses in attendance of the hearing will be required to sit outside of the hearing until the panel or hearing chair determines that it is an appropriate time for the witness to speak. You will not be permitted to speak directly to the witness during the hearing. Character witnesses are not permitted.

Do I have to come to the hearing?

Answer
In short, no. However, if you do not attend the hearing, the hearing will continue as scheduled. The panel will review all evidence and make a determination and impose sanctions if you are rendered responsible in your absence. Without your account of the situation, the information in the reports and the testimony of the reporter stands. Therefore, it is highly suggested that you attend the hearing.

Is there anyone that I can speak with in preparation for the hearing?

Answer
Yes! You may contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution directly to ask questions. The Office can provide an overview of the hearing process and allow you to look over important hearing documents such as evidence. We understand that hearings may be stressful for students, if you are feeling overwhelmed or anxious going through the hearing process, we encourage you to speak with Student Counseling Services.

How will I know the outcome of the hearing?

Answer

The academic integrity hearing panel will determine if it is more likely than not that the student violated University policy. The student will learn the outcome mid-hearing during the responsibility portion of the hearing.

Outcome Letters will then be delivered to the student by university-issued email or other approved means within seven (7) calendar days. The Outcome Letter will state the decision, the rationale for the decision, and if responsible, the assigned sanctions.

What if it is my first violation?

Answer

If you accept responsibility for an Academic Integrity violation during the conference with your instructor and it is your first offense, the sanctions proposed by the instructor will be imposed. Additionally, you will be required to complete the RAISE Academic Integrity Tutorial at a cost of $20 which will be billed to your student account. Upon completion of the tutorial, you will be required to meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator for a Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation meeting.

If found responsible by the hearing panel, you will typically receive the sanction proposed by the instructor as indicated on the Incident Report along with any other University sanction(s) that the hearing panel sees fit. The hearing panel has the ability to modify the instructor’s proposed sanction. The list of sanctions can be found in Section 5(k) of the Academic Integrity Code. This list is a guide and not all-inclusive.

What if it is my second or third violation?

Answer
If this is your second or third violation, regardless of admittance of responsibility, the case will be forwarded to a hearing panel. Suspension is the standard and required sanction for second violations. Expulsion is the standard and required sanction for third violations. Exceptions to these policies are extremely rare.

What if I do not agree with the outcome of the hearing

Answer

You are able to appeal a decision made during an academic integrity hearing. You may not appeal an outcome simply because you disagree.

Appeals are considered for one or more of the following purposes:

  1. To consider new information which was unavailable at the time of the original hearing that could change the outcome; or
    • Example: If you come to learn that there is a video of an incident after you receive your Outcome. This video can be used as new evidence.
  2. To assess whether a material deviation from written procedures resulted in an unfair outcome of the hearing.
    • Example: If you were only given two calendar days’ notice of your hearing rather than the required seven calendar days’ notice.
  3. To assess whether a sanction of the loss of University housing, a suspension, or expulsion will have a substantially disproportionate impact on the student or is inconsistent with University practice and values.

What if I am found responsible for a violation of the Academic Integrity Code?

Answer
If found responsible by the hearing panel, you will typically receive the sanction proposed by the instructor as indicated on the Incident Report along with any other University sanction that the hearing panel sees fit. The hearing panel has the ability to modify the instructor’s proposed sanction. The list of sanctions can be found in Section 5(k) of the Academic Integrity Code. This list is a guide and not all-inclusive.

When will I know the sanctions that are imposed?

Answer
Outcome letters will be delivered to the student by university-issued email, or other approved means if warranted within 7 (seven) calendar days of the decision. The Outcome Letter will state the decision, the rationale for the decision, and if responsible, the assigned sanction(s).

What happens if I do not complete my sanction(s) by the deadline?

Answer
A hold will be placed on your student account which will restrict your ability to add/drop classes and/or obtain copies of transcripts.

Why do I have to meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator?

Answer

If found responsible during a panel hearing or admittance to an academic integrity violation, you must meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator to discuss the incident in a Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation meeting.

During the meeting, you will discuss with the AI Coordinator the violation, consequences of a second violation if you were to have one, and the records retention policy. You will be required to sign the Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation form acknowledging the violation.

How long do I have to appeal?

Answer

You can appeal the Outcome Letter within seven (7) calendar days of the date the Outcome letter was sent. An appeal must be in writing and delivered to the appointed administrator outlined in the Outcome Letter. You may not appeal an outcome simply because you disagree.

Appeals are considered for one or more of the following purposes:

  1. To consider new information which was unavailable at the time of the original hearing that could change the outcome; or
    • Example: If you come to learn that there is a video of an incident after you receive your Outcome. This video can be used as new evidence.
  2. To assess whether a material deviation from written procedures resulted in an unfair outcome of the hearing.
    • Example: If you were only given two calendar days’ notice of your hearing rather than the required seven calendar days’ notice.
  3. To assess whether a sanction of the loss of University housing, a suspension, or expulsion will have a substantially disproportionate impact on the student or is inconsistent with University practice and values.

How does the appellate officer make a decision on the appeal?

Answer
The appellate officer will review the record and all supporting documents to consider whether an appeal consists of at least one of the three aforementioned criteria.

What type of academic integrity records are maintained on my case?

Answer
Marymount University maintains academic integrity records for seven (7) years after graduation or withdrawal. Your academic integrity record is not part of your academic transcript unless you are suspended or permanently dismissed from the University. Former students may request to expunge records that did not result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

Who has access to my academic integrity record?

Answer

Cases that involve suspension or dismissal from the University are subject to disclosure to officials who have a legitimate need to know and others as permitted by law. All academic integrity records may be disclosed if subpoenaed.

All academic integrity records may be provided to Resident Assistants and Orientation Leaders. Cases that involve suspension or dismissal from the University are subject to disclosure to internal Marymount faculty and staff, particularly for leadership positions.

What if I haven’t found the answer to my question?

Answer
Talk to any staff member in the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 703-908-7669 or academicintegrity@marymount.edu.

What do I do if I have a hold on my account?

Answer
It is very likely that the hold on your account is associated with a missing/incomplete sanction. Students who are responsible (either by admittance or determined in a hearing) for a first academic integrity violation are required to (1) complete the RAISE Tutorial and (2) meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator for a Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation meeting. Students who are responsible for a second academic integrity violation are required to complete (1) the Academic Integrity Seminar and (2) meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator for a Formal Notice of Second Academic Integrity Violation meeting/ Re-entry meeting for suspensions. You should look at your Outcome Letter or AI First Violation Meeting letter for instructions on how to complete your sanction(s). If you believe that you have completed your sanction(s) and should not have a hold on your account, please immediately reach out to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 703-908-7669 or acainteg@marymount.edu.