At Michigan State University, a cheating accusation usually arrives as a penalty grade paired with a piece of paperwork students often haven’t heard of: an Academic Dishonesty Report, or ADR. Under MSU’s Integrity of Scholarship and Grades policy, whenever an instructor gives a student a penalty grade for academic misconduct, the instructor must also submit an ADR. That report is what turns a grade decision into a record, and it’s also what gives the student a formal way to contest the allegation.
MSU’s academic integrity policy and the related Student Rights and Responsibilities provisions are updated from time to time, and the versions in effect when a case arises apply. This summary reflects MSU’s current published policy and its Ombudsperson’s guidance.
What MSU Counts as Academic Misconduct
MSU’s Integrity of Scholarship and Grades policy defines academic misconduct as any of three things: academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic or admission records. That’s broader than many schools’ definitions, and the professional standards piece matters especially to students in programs with their own codes, like MSU’s medical and nursing programs.
Many cases start with a match in a plagiarism checker, which isn’t the same thing as proof; a student in that position may find it useful to read about what to do when Turnitin says you plagiarized but you didn’t.
The Penalty Grade and the ADR
Depending on the instructor’s judgment, the instructor may give a penalty grade, which can be a reduced score on the assignment or a reduced grade for the course. When that happens, MSU’s policy requires the instructor to complete and submit an Academic Dishonesty Report. According to MSU’s Ombudsperson, the ADR creates a way for the student to understand the allegation and contest it, and it also lets the university identify any later allegations.
If the instructor gives a failing grade in the course, MSU’s policy allows the instructor to ask the student’s academic dean to impose additional sanctions. If the dean decides a sanction beyond the penalty grade is warranted, such as dismissal from a unit or program, the dean may call for an academic disciplinary hearing.
Contesting the Allegation
A student accused of academic misconduct may request an academic grievance hearing to contest the allegation before the appropriate hearing board, within a short window after notice. According to MSU, if the University Academic Integrity Hearing Board determines that the student did not commit academic dishonesty, the student won’t face any additional sanctions based on that charge. Because an ADR can follow a student into later applications, it’s worth understanding whether academic misconduct follows you to graduate school before deciding whether to contest.
The Ombudsperson’s Role
MSU’s University Ombudsperson’s office is often the first stop for accused students. According to MSU, the office provides confidential, informal guidance to students, faculty, and administrators, and can help them find ways to address these issues outside formal hearings. Cases involving shared work, such as allegations of sharing assignments, often benefit from that kind of early, informal conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Academic Dishonesty Report at Michigan State?
A report MSU instructors must submit whenever they give a student a penalty grade for academic misconduct. It documents the allegation and gives the student a way to contest it.
Can a Michigan State instructor ask for more than a penalty grade?
Yes. If the instructor gives a failing grade in the course, MSU’s policy allows the instructor to ask the student’s academic dean to impose additional sanctions.
How do I contest an academic dishonesty allegation at MSU?
By requesting an academic grievance hearing before the appropriate hearing board, within the short window MSU’s rules allow.
What does the MSU Ombudsperson do in academic dishonesty cases?
Provides confidential, informal guidance to students, faculty, and administrators, including outside formal hearings.
Getting Help With a Michigan State Case
The choice of whether to accept an ADR or contest it at a grievance hearing has to be made quickly, and it can shape a student’s record for years. Richard Asselta, student defense attorney who advises students in university academic integrity processes nationwide, works with Michigan State students behind the scenes, helping them understand the ADR, weigh whether to request a grievance hearing, and prepare their evidence and statements for the hearing board. Call 855-338-5299 or learn more about Richard Asselta.