Guide to Sanctions

Academic Integrity sanctions are divided into three categories: status, academic, and educational. Multiple sanctions from each category may be assigned. Respondents (i.e., students) are responsible for paying any costs associated with the imposed sanctions. Instructors must follow the Sanctioning Guidelines in proposing the academic sanction for a violation. Instructors are encouraged to also propose educational sanctions. A hearing panel may change the proposed sanction(s) and add additional sanctions. The following information is taken from the AI Code Section 5.k: Sanctions.

Status Sanction: Status sanctions are an indication of the respondent’s relationship with the university. Sanctions are determined based upon the nature of the offense after reviewing aggravating and mitigating factors in concert with the established sanctioning guidelines.

  • Formal Notice of First Violation: This is a formal notice that the student was found responsible for a first violation and states the consequences of subsequent violations. The student is required to meet with the Academic Integrity Coordinator to discuss and sign the Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation acknowledging receipt and understanding.
  • ​Suspension: The student is separated from the University for a specified period of time, and upon the satisfaction of specific conditions, after which the student is eligible to return. Suspension is the standard and required sanction for second violations. Exceptions to this policy are extremely rare and only on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, those students who commit egregious violations of the Academic Integrity Code may be subject to suspension for a first violation.
    • Typically, a suspension is one academic semester and the summer term immediately proceeding or following.
  • Expulsion: The student is permanently separated from the University. The student may not apply for admission to any academic program at Marymount University. Expulsion is the standard and required sanction for third violations. Exceptions to this policy are extremely rare and only on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, those students who commit egregious violations of the Academic Integrity Code may be subject to expulsion for a first or second violation.

Academic Sanctions: Academic sanctions relate to the student’s academic coursework.

  • Redo of Assignment or Test: The student is required to redo the assignment or test. This may be assigned with or without grade penalty.
  • Assignment or Test Grade Penalty or Failure: A grade penalty is assigned to the academic work in which the violation occurred.
  • Additional Academic Work: The student is required to complete additional academic work such as, but not limited to, writing papers creating educational materials, meeting with tutors. The goal of such activity is for the respondent to demonstrate that he/she has sufficient understanding of the academic skills necessary to continue at Marymount University.
  • Course Grade Penalty or Failure: A grade penalty is assigned to the final course grade.
  • Other Reasonable Academic Sanction: In coordination with the Academic Integrity Coordinator, the complainant or hearing panel may assign a different academically-related sanction so long as it is reasonable and consistent with policy.

Educational Sanctions: Educational sanctions are designed to improve a respondent’s understanding of academic integrity and/or the values and mission of Marymount University. Educational sanctions may also be restorative in nature requiring a respondent to demonstrate repaired relationships harmed through the violation.

  • Educational Class or Workshop: The respondent is required to complete a specific academic class, workshop, or series of these events. These programs may be external to the university. Fees associated with these programs are at the respondent’s expense. For example, the respondent may be required to complete the RAISE Tutorial for a $20 fee, which is an hour-long presentation and quiz; or the Academic Integrity Seminar, which is an online course offered by Academic Integrity Seminar for a fee of $105 (integrityseminar.org). The Academic Integrity Seminar focuses on issues of ethics and personal integrity and is often required of students found responsible for second violations. Completion of these sanctions are monitored by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution.
  • Educational Program: Requirement to attend, present, and/or participate in a program related to the violation. It may also be a requirement to sponsor or assist with a program for others on-campus to aid them in learning about a specific topic or issue related to the violation for which the student was found responsible. Audience may be restricted.
  • Community/University Service Requirements: Requirement for a respondent to complete a specific supervised University service. [This will not fulfill the University’s community service requirement for graduation].
  • Behavioral Requirement: This includes required activities such as, but not limited to, seeking academic counseling, writing a letter of apology, seeking tutoring, etc.

Section 8: Sanctioning Guidelines*

*The sanctioning guidelines are for instructors to use when completing an Incident Report. All proposed sanctions of suspensions and expulsions and all second or subsequent violations are referred to a hearing panel to determine responsibility and appropriate sanctions as outlined in Section 5.k.