Office of the Dean of Students -> Student Conduct and Academic Integrity -> Faculty Frequently Asked Questions for Academic Misconduct

Faculty Frequently Asked Questions for Academic Misconduct

These frequently asked questions address a variety of situations faculty may find in an academic misconduct incident. For specific questions, please email studentconduct@austin.utexas.edu.

What if my teaching assistant observed or identified a suspected incident of academic misconduct?

Teaching assistants, graduate assistants, and proctors are often first to identify or observe potential academic misconduct. Emphasize to them their valuable role addressing academic misconduct, and the importance of notifying you right away. Ask them to submit supporting evidence, including detailed accounts of their observations in their notifications to you. Only faculty members are authorized to resolve this type of violation with a student, through a Faculty Disposition (pdf) or a referral to Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. See Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities Subchapter 11-500, Conduct Procedures, for detailed information, including on faculty dispositions in Section 11-505.

What if I need to submit a grade and the student's conduct matter is still pending?

If the conduct matter remains unresolved at the end of a semester (or summer session), you must assign an incomplete ("X") grade to the student.

What if more than one student is involved in an academic misconduct matter?

The options are either to submit an incident report listing the EIDs of all students involved, or to submit a separate Faculty Referral / Faculty Disposition Form (pdf) for each individual student.

Is there an appeal process?

Yes. With either an administrative resolution or a university hearing, the student may appeal to the appellate officer, based on one or more of the three grounds for appeal. If the disciplinary matter is resolved through a university hearing, the student or Dean of Students may appeal the findings and/or the sanction within five days after being notified of the hearing officer's decision. See Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities Subchapter 11-800, for detailed information on appeals.

Why are the outlined steps of the conduct process necessary?

The steps of the conduct process are necessary for due process in student conduct administration. An allegation of academic misconduct is an assertion that a student has violated a university rule; whether that assertion is true is a fact to be established, not assumed.

Our disciplinary procedures at The University of Texas at Austin are designed to protect the interests of students, faculty members, administrators, and the institution.

Our goal is to collaborate with faculty to provide due process for all students as part of a fair and ethical learning environment at the university.