Summary of policy sequence when a student is accused of plagiarizing:
1. Your instructor informs you verbally or in writing that he/she suspects you of plagiarizing
2. Your instructor provides you with an opportunity to explain orally or in writing why you believe you did not plagiarize
3. If your instructor still believes you plagiarized he/she may impose sanctions:
a. Refuse the work submitted for credit
b. Give you an F or zero on the assignment
c. Give you an F for the course
d. Recommend that the incident be forwarded for further review to your dean (for degree-related sanctions) or the Academic Hearing Panel (for disciplinary sanctions.
e. You may be asked to attend “Plagiarism School”
4. When a sanction is imposed the instructor must:
a. Report the act of plagiarism and the sanction applied to the Office of Student Conduct
b. The Office of Student Conduct will inform you that you have the right to appeal the sanction to their office within 15 days of the receipt of the written notice
5. If you do appeal:
a. A hearing will be scheduled with the Academic Hearing Panel, where the instructor must prove you plagiarized
b. You and the instructor can call witnesses and cross exam each other (neither side can be represented by legal counsel)
c. The Academic Hearing Panel makes a decision in the matter and provides it to you in writing
d. You may still appeal (on limited grounds) to the Provost within 7 calendar days of receiving the decision from the Academic Hearing Panel