At UC San Diego, a professor can’t quietly handle a cheating suspicion on their own. UCSD’s Academic Integrity Policy requires instructors to report all suspected academic integrity violations to the Academic Integrity Office (AIO), and it gives students specific rights from the start: to be notified, to be heard, to accept or deny responsibility, to have an advisor, to have the case evaluated by a Review Panel, and to appeal. UCSD’s policy also allows the advisor to come from outside the university.
UCSD’s Academic Integrity Policy is an Academic Senate policy that is revised periodically, and the version in effect when a case arises applies.
Three Opportunities to Be Heard
UCSD’s AIO describes three points at which a student can share their account:
- Instructor-Student Resolution Meeting. An optional meeting the instructor may request. A student who accepts responsibility here moves directly to the sanctioning phase, and the AIO notes that a student can retract that acceptance within a short window afterward.
- Resolution Meeting. If an instructor-student resolution isn’t offered, the student meets with a Resolution administrator.
- Academic Integrity Review. An optional review, which the AIO says is relevant in about 15% of cases, held when a student doesn’t accept responsibility.
The Academic Integrity Review Board
An Academic Integrity Review is decided by the Academic Integrity Review Board, a body of faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students who serve on review panels. UCSD’s materials describe the review board as an objective and impartial panel and note that the process isn’t a legal one. Cases involving technical work, such as code, often turn on detailed evidence, as discussed in accused of plagiarism on a programming assignment.
Advisors at UC San Diego
UCSD’s policy states that a student may select one advisor, either provided by UC San Diego or externally sourced, to assist them during the process.
Sanctions and Appeals
UCSD separates administrative sanctions from the academic sanction in the course. Administrative sanctions can be applied only when a student has accepted responsibility or been held responsible, and UCSD’s policy states that students with multiple confirmed academic integrity violations are subject to dismissal from the university.
Students can appeal a Review decision, the academic sanction, and administrative sanctions involving suspension or dismissal. According to the AIO, a Review decision can be appealed on two grounds: that the stated procedures weren’t followed, or that new evidence was discovered after the review. Sanctions are on hold while a Review decision appeal is pending, and if the appeal is granted, a new review is held before new panel members. Only one Review decision appeal is allowed, which makes careful preparation important, as covered in appealing an academic misconduct decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UC San Diego instructors have to report suspected cheating?
Yes. UCSD’s policy requires instructors to report all suspected academic integrity violations to the Academic Integrity Office.
Can I bring an outside advisor in a UC San Diego academic integrity case?
Yes. UCSD’s policy allows one advisor, either provided by UC San Diego or externally sourced.
What is an Academic Integrity Review at UCSD?
An optional review, decided by a panel of the Academic Integrity Review Board, held when a student doesn’t accept responsibility.
Can I appeal a UC San Diego academic integrity decision?
Yes. A Review decision can be appealed if procedures weren’t followed or new evidence was discovered, and only one such appeal is allowed.
Getting Help With a UC San Diego Case
Richard Asselta, a student defense attorney, serves as an advisor to students in university academic integrity processes nationwide, including at UC San Diego, where the policy allows an externally sourced advisor. He helps students prepare for the resolution meeting, decide whether to request an Academic Integrity Review, organize their evidence, and prepare any appeal. Call 855-338-5299 or learn more about Richard Asselta.