Academic Dishonesty
What sanctions are available for instructors to assign?
At the course level, instructors can assign anything up to and including course failure, and may also recommend the Unforgivable F (UF) or course failure with exclusion from further participation.
Instructors who wish to consider other sanctions should discuss with the Office of Academic Integrity prior to completing the Academic Dishonesty Reporting Form.
Can an instructor consult with their chair prior to assigning a sanction in cases of academic dishonesty?
Yes, and such communication is encouraged to help begin normalizing how sanctions are assigned across the institution.
If an instructor notifies a student of being charged with academic dishonesty and the student requests a meeting, must the instructor grant the meeting?
Yes. Under the WVU Policy on Student Academic Integrity, instructors must provide the student with an opportunity to meet and discuss the allegation.
Can instructors request information about a student’s prior history of academic misconduct prior to assigning a sanction?
No. Instructors should make decisions about the sanction imposed based upon the evidence they have and the circumstances particular to the course in which it occurred. Even when the instructor knows that the student has a prior academic dishonesty violation, the course-level sanction assigned should be commensurate to the offense. Disciplinary sanctions to address repeated misconduct will be assigned by the Office of Academic Integrity.
Can Appeal Reviewers modify the instructor’s sanction?
Yes. Appeal Reviewers can decrease the severity of a sanction or dismiss a sanction entirely. However, they cannot increase the severity of a sanction.
Are programs or appeal reviewers informed when students are sanctioned for academic dishonesty (or when any appeals are dismissed)?
Yes. Individuals with a legitimate educational interest in such information -
e.g., department chairs, appeal reviewers, and academic administrators within the
student's major college - may be notified when a student is charged and sanctioned
for academic misconduct. The timing of notification will vary based on the individual
to be notified and the nature of the allegations.
Prior to filing an appeal of a course-related penalty in a course taught by a graduate teaching assistant, who should the student meet with to try to resolve the situation?
Students should check their syllabus or ask their instructor for guidance. In many cases, students should address their concerns with both their instructor and the course coordinator before deciding about filing a formal appeal.
Where can faculty learn how to resolve a case of suspected academic dishonesty?
Resources for faculty and staff, including information related to the resolution of academic misconduct, are available on the Office of Academic Integrity website.
Where can faculty or staff find information about procedures for probation, suspension, and dismissal of undergraduate students based on GPA?
All information related to probation, suspension, and dismissal of undergraduate students based on GPA is available via the Undergraduate Catalog.
What should an instructor expect during a grade appeal?
Before appealing a final grade, students are encouraged (but not required) to contact the individual who reported the final grade to express their concerns and attempt to resolve the issue. However, if the student chooses not to do so or is not satisfied with the outcome, they may initiate a formal appeal.
Grade appeals occur at two levels. Once a student submits a written appeal at any level, the individual or committee that imposed the penalty may be contacted to provide all relevant documentation and/or participate in official proceedings. More information, including timelines, is available via the detailed appeal procedures page.
What should an involved faculty or staff member expect during an appeal of an academic penalty (other than a final grade, and not based on academic dishonesty)?
Before appealing an academic penalty, students are encouraged (but not required) to contact the individual or committee that imposed the penalty to express their concerns and attempt to resolve the issue. However, if the student chooses not to do so or is not satisfied with the outcome, they may initiate a formal appeal.
Appeals related to academic penalties occur at two levels, with a third level of
appeal available for program dismissal. Once a student submits a written appeal
at any level, the individual or committee that imposed the penalty may be contacted
to provide all relevant documentation and/or participate in official proceedings.
More information, including timelines, is available via the
detailed appeal procedures page.
Can appeal reviewers modify sanctions or penalties imposed by an instructor or committee?
Yes. Appeal reviewers can decrease the severity of a sanction/penalty or dismiss it entirely. However, they cannot increase the severity of a sanction or penalty.