How Conferences Work

After discovery of an alleged violation, the next step is for the student to discuss the incident with the instructor. Unless there are compelling reasons to bypass, the University strongly recommends this meeting, which is called an Academic Integrity Conference.

There are two reasons for holding an AI Conference:

  1. Education – The instructor explains to the student the nature of the violation. This is a learning opportunity for the student undertaken with the hope that the student will never violate the AI Code again.
  2. Fair Process – The student has an opportunity to explain his or her actions to the instructor and to either accept responsibility for the violation or not accept responsibility for the violation.

Requesting a Conference

Timely resolution of AI incidents are in the best interest of students and instructors. The conference should be held within 7 days of this request. It is suggested that students take a look at Marymount University’s standard Academic Integrity Incident Report to prepare for the conference.

If a student fails to respond to an instructor’s request to conference, the instructor will forward the case to Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. The instructor will note the reason why the Conference was not held on the Incident Report form. For example, “student ignored requests,” “no time for conference before break,” “discussed issue with student previously,” or “student refuses to meet.”

Students have the right to opt-out of an AI Conference with the instructor and vice-versa. In this case, the instructor forwards the case to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution for follow-up. Again, the 7-day time frame is used to move the case forward to resolution. If the student fails to respond to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution’s request for response, the case will be forwarded to a hearing panel which is the maximum process right afforded to students. 

Students must communicate to either the instructor or the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution whether they accept responsibility for the violation or request a panel hearing. 

During the Conference

  • At the beginning of the conference, the student is asked to review the rights printed on the Student Response side of the Incident Report Form.
  • The instructor and student discuss the incident and why it violated the AI Code as well as the sanction proposed by the instructor.
  • The student is asked to mark whether they accept responsibility or request a hearing and to sign the form. The student may pause the conference for up to two (2) business days to consider how to respond to the allegation. The student may choose to end the conference without completing the form. If the student chooses to not complete the form, the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution for follow up.
    • Note: If the student fails to respond to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution’s request for response, the case will be forwarded to a hearing panel which is the maximum process right afforded to students. 

After the Conference

The instructor electronically submits the signed Incident Report and all relevant documents to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution will then process the case.

  • If it is a first violation and no hearing will be held (student accepts responsibility), the final step is for the student to complete the RAISE Academic Integrity Tutorial and meet with the  Academic Integrity Coordinator to sign the Formal Notice of First Academic Integrity Violation.
  • If the student requests a hearing (or is unresponsive to both the instructor and the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution), or the violation is a second or third violation, the case will be forwarded to a hearing panel. Hearing panels for cases of suspension or expulsion are mandatory. If an instructor proposes a sanction of suspension or expulsion, then a hearing must be held even if the student accepts responsibility for the violation.