At North Carolina State University, a professor’s suspicion alone isn’t enough to lower a grade. NC State’s Office of Student Conduct states that faculty may not impose a grade penalty based merely on their belief that a student committed academic misconduct. A grade penalty can be imposed only if the student takes full responsibility by signing a form called the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation (RAIV), or after the student is found responsible through a hearing.
NC State’s conduct regulations are revised from time to time, and the version in effect when a case arises applies. This summary follows NC State’s current Student Discipline Procedures and Office of Student Conduct materials.
The RAIV Form
In an academic integrity case, the faculty member typically presents the student with an RAIV form. The student can use it to accept responsibility and the recommended sanctions, or to deny responsibility, reject the sanctions, request a hearing, and preserve the right to appeal. If the student denies responsibility, rejects the sanctions, or doesn’t waive the right to appeal, the instructor forwards the form and supporting documentation to the Office of Student Conduct.
Even a signed acceptance isn’t always the end. NC State’s procedures state that depending on the circumstances and any previous violations, the Office of Student Conduct may refer a case for a hearing even when the student has already accepted responsibility.
The early conversation with the professor shapes what goes on that form, which is why it helps to understand the situation described in a professor accused me of cheating: now what?
Hearings at NC State
NC State uses Administrative Hearings and Conduct Board Hearings. Its procedures state that there’s a presumption that the student isn’t responsible until a determination is made at the end of the hearing, and that the determination is based on the information in the record and presented at the hearing. Cases built on detector reports or exam software, like those discussed in Turnitin errors: can you fight false plagiarism reports? and Flagged by Proctorio?, depend heavily on what that record contains.
Who Can Accompany a Student
For cases where representation by an attorney isn’t permitted, NC State’s procedures provide that a student referred for a hearing may be accompanied by a Hearing Assistant, who must be a student, a student assistant from the Conduct Board, or a staff or faculty member who is not an attorney. Students can still work with an outside advisor to prepare before the hearing.
Sanctions
NC State’s Code of Student Conduct lists sanctions for academic misconduct, including academic integrity probation, along with more serious outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an NC State professor lower my grade for suspected cheating?
Not on suspicion alone. NC State states that a grade penalty can be imposed only if the student accepts responsibility on the RAIV form or is found responsible through a hearing.
What is an RAIV form at NC State?
The Report of an Academic Integrity Violation, which a student can use to accept responsibility or to deny it, reject sanctions, and request a hearing.
Can NC State send my case to a hearing even if I accept responsibility?
Yes. NC State’s procedures allow the Office of Student Conduct to refer a case for a hearing depending on the circumstances and any previous violations.
Can I bring an attorney to an NC State academic integrity hearing?
Where attorney representation isn’t permitted, NC State allows a Hearing Assistant who must be a student or a faculty or staff member who is not an attorney.
Getting Help With an NC State Case
What a student signs on the RAIV form can shape the entire case. Richard Asselta, a student defense attorney who advises students in university academic integrity processes nationwide, works with NC State students behind the scenes, helping them understand the RAIV form, decide whether to request a hearing, and prepare their account and evidence. Call 855-338-5299 or learn more about Richard Asselta.