Academic integrity is essential to preserve the integrity and excellence of a UC Davis education. Under the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct, faculty and students share responsibility for encouraging academic honesty. Faculty must report violations because centralized reporting is essential for fair and impartial administration of the Code of Academic Conduct and to ensure that repeat offenders are identified and penalized accordingly. SJA has responsibility for administering student discipline on campus, by delegation of authority from the Chancellor.
What if you have suspicions:
If you suspect academic misconduct, gather the available information and documents. If possible, discuss your concerns with the student(s) involved before referring to see if the student can explain what happened. In talking to students:
-Use a non-confrontational approach (don't accuse or blame); avoid labeling
the student a "cheater" or "plagiarist"
-Tell the student you have questions about the work (e.g., the student's test
has answers to a different version of the exam) and that because of these
questions, you will refer the case to SJA for review, as required by campus
rules
-Caution students that they don't have to say anything, but if they do
respond, they must tell the truth; providing false information to you or in
the discipline process is a separate violation
Explain that the SJA process is informal and fair, and reassure the student
that he will have a full opportunity to tell his side - if no agreement can be
reached, a formal hearing is held.
Contact SJA if you have questions about the process or whether you should
report the incident.
When to report:
If the student denies responsibility and you are persuaded that there was no academic misconduct, that ends the matter. If, however, the student admits the violation, or if the student denies the misconduct but you still have suspicions, refer the matter to SJA. Referrals to SJA for suspected student misconduct must be sent to SJA within 30 days after the end of the quarter in which the alleged misconduct was discovered.
How to report:
To report suspected misconduct, use our report form (link) or write a brief email or memo giving your name, the class title and number, the student's name and identification number, and a description of the circumstances giving rise to your suspicions. Enclose the originals or copies of any relevant documents (for example, exams or papers), but make sure you also retain a copy of documents sent to SJA in a secure location.
Where to report:
Reports can be delivered or mailed to Room 3200 Dutton Hall, 752-1128, using the form available at http://sja.ucdavis.edu/form-a.htm Reports can also be emailed to sja@ucdavis.edu (link) or faxed to 530-754-6195. Please mark all referrals "Confidential."
What happens when you report a student?
Once SJA receives a written report, the student is informed by email of the referral and instructed to make an appointment to meet with SJA to discuss the case (link to the Student Disciplinary Process). At this appointment, the student is provided with information about the disciplinary process and the reasons for the referral, and given an opportunity to respond. SJA will let you know the student's response. If the student admits responsibility, possible resolutions are discussed separately with the student and with you. Neither you nor any student witness will become involved in a formal hearing unless you so choose. In the vast majority of cases, the student admits the violation and the case is resolved through this informal process with the student signing a written contract admitting a violation and accepting sanctions and educational assignments. SJA will keep you informed of the progress of the case, and will consult with you before reaching an agreement with the student.
What about the student's grade?
Under Academic Senate Regulation 550 (link) faculty may assign a grade of "0" or "F" to the examination or assignment on which cheating, plagiarism or other academic dishonesty has been either admitted or proven after a hearing. If the matter involves an admitted or proven violation of the Code of Academic Conduct which is unfair or negligent but not dishonest (e.g. talking during an exam, roving eyes, or having notes visible, but no sharing or copying of answers), faculty may assign an appropriate grade penalty. No grade penalty may be imposed until the student admits misconduct or is found in violation after a hearing.
What if grades must be submitted before the student's case is resolved?
If a disciplinary matter remains unresolved at the end of the quarter, submit a grade of "Y" for the student on the grade report form. Once the student meets with SJA and the matter is resolved by agreement or hearing, SJA will notify you and provide directions and a form for reporting the final grade to the Registrar. The instructor will assign an appropriate grade, fills out the form, and send the final course grade to the Office of the Registrar. Normally, the Y grade must be removed from a student's academic record within two quarters or the Y will automatically change to an F.
What if the student doesn't respond to SJA?
If the student doesn't respond, holds (link) are placed on his/her records
and registration.
What discipline is imposed?
If the student admits the violation, the informal process includes sanctions (link), usually ranging from disciplinary probation to dismissal. Although students generally are not removed from the University for first -time violations, they may be suspended or dismissed in aggravated cases involving premeditation, conspiracy, theft of another's work, or other egregious academic dishonesty (link to sanction factors). For repeat violations, suspension or dismissal is imposed. Suspension and dismissal are noted on transcripts, and records are retained indefinitely. Other sanctions do not appear on transcripts, but disciplinary files are maintained for up to five years. All disciplinary records are confidential. The discipline imposed is designed to help the student learn from the experience, to promote fairness and honesty, and to uphold UCD's high academic standards. Students are often referred to campus resources such as the Learning Skills Center and Counseling and Psychological Services Center (CAPS) to help ensure that they do not repeat their misconduct.
What if the student denies the violation?
If the student denies the violation, you may choose to have the matter
decided by a formal hearing. You will be consulted before any decision is made
to dismiss a case or refer it for hearing. Only a small number of cases
require formal hearings before student-faculty panels which determine whether
there is enough evidence to find that a violation occurred and recommend
sanctions.
Copyright © 2008 - The Regents of the University of California
Last Updated: February 25th, 2008