For Students

“Academic integrity is a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to six fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action” (International Center for Academic Integrity, 2024). Academic integrity means acting in a way that is honest, fair, respectful, and responsible in your studies and academic work. It means approaching your studies, research, and professional life in an ethical way, having the courage to make the right decisions, and displaying integrity in your actions.   

Academic or professional misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized use of artificially generated content, fabrication of data or records, unauthorized collaboration, resume or credential falsification, unauthorized use of resources, violation of test-taking conditions, or otherwise engaging in activity prohibited by the University or Academic Integrity policy. Please see the WashU Academic Integrity Policy for more information on this topic. 

Information regarding campus policies including the academic integrity policy can be found:  

• University Student Conduct Code 

• WashU Academic Integrity Policy 

• Academic and Professional Integrity Policy for PhD. Students 

• Research Integrity Policy 

You are encouraged to connect with the Academic Integrity Coordinators in the Office of the Provost via email at academicintegrity@wustl.edu or phone at 314-935-7296.    

• If a student observes others violating this policy, they are strongly encouraged to report the misconduct to the instructor, to seek advice from the academic integrity coordinator in the Office of the Provost, or to address the student(s) directly.  

• A report should be submitted within 5 business days of an awareness of a possible violation. When you are ready to submit a report, you can fill out the form online here: Academic Integrity Report. 

This most likely means that the faculty member completed an online academic integrity reporting form. This form will be reviewed by Academic Integrity Coordinators and they will reach out to you if they believe that there is a potential policy violation. Please review the Procedures page for more information on the next steps.  

Withdrawing from the course will not prevent the academic integrity coordinator or hearing panel from adjudicating the case, imposing sanctions, or recommending grade penalties, including a failing grade in the course. 

While a case is pending, the student has the right to attend and participate in the class. If the case is pending at the end of the semester, the faculty member shall assign an “N” grade (no grade reported) in Workday and then submit a change of grade consistent with the finding of responsible/not responsible within five University business days of the completion of the process.  

• If you would like to request accommodations, including translation services, please alert the Academic Integrity Coordinator as soon as possible.  Documents requiring translations to English must be submitted at least ten (10) business days prior to meeting with the AIC. 
• You are strongly encouraged to get support from the WashU Center for Counseling and Psychological Services.  They are a confidential resource with experience in supporting college students.  You can schedule an appointment here.    
• Uncle Joe’s Peer Counseling and Resource Center: Uncle Joe’s is a student-run peer counseling service. 24/7 counseling via phone. In-person counseling 10 p.m. – 1 a.m. every night during semesters.  314-935-5099 
• TimelyCare: Telehealth company specializing in higher education. TimelyCare is free for all students who pay the student health and wellness fee and is available via the TimelyCare app. 
• For support around academic skills, please consider reaching out to The Learning Center, The Writing Center, and/or the University Libraries. You are strongly encouraged to reach out to your academic advisor and instructors for major-specific resources in your School. 

Facilitated conversation offers an opportunity for conversation. This is an optional step, and one or both parties can decline to participate.  During the session, the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC) will provide both parties with a chance to offer greater context regarding the nature of the alleged academic integrity violation. The intention is to allow space for individuals to discuss their perspectives and reflect on the situation.  There is a 24-hour decision-hold in place after the conversation, so that both parties can review information prior to determining next steps. 

If the responding student chooses to move forward with an AIB panel hearing, three members of the Academic Integrity Board (AIB) will convene to hear the academic integrity case.  The AIB panel hearing will be chaired by a Student Conduct Officer or an Academic Integrity Coordinator.  The reporting party will be asked to share information and respond to questions.  The student will be asked to share information and respond to questions.  At the conclusion of the hearing, the Panel will determine whether the responding student is more likely than not responsible for the alleged academic integrity violation.  If the Panel finds a violation, the Panel will assign sanctions.  The sanctions assigned by the Board may be different than those included in the Option Letter.  

More information is provided on the Procedures page and via communication with the Academic Integrity Coordinator.

A student accused of an academic integrity violation is entitled to: 

• A presumption of non-responsibility unless and until a Panel determines that, based upon the preponderance of evidence, it is more likely than not that the student engaged in a violation of academic integrity policy. 

• Request a facilitated conversation prior to a hearing panel. 

• Review of the written evidence in support of the charge. 

• Ask relevant questions. 

• Offer an explanation as to what occurred. 

• Present relevant material that would cast doubt on the correctness of the charge. 

• Determination of the validity of the charge by an unbiased and objective Panel and generally without reference to any past record of misconduct. 

A student has the following responsibilities in resolving the charge of academic misconduct: 

• Admit or deny the charge. This will determine the course of action to be pursued. 

• Provide truthful information regarding the charges. It is a student conduct code violation to provide false information to the university or anyone acting on its behalf. 

The evidence packet includes the relevant documentary evidence that has been provided by the parties.  The evidence packet is provided to both parties, the AIB Hearing Panel, and the Hearing Chair.  Evidence packets will include the following: 

• A list of the names of the proposed witnesses and the parties’ support persons;  

• Copies of proposed relevant documentary, photographic, video, or audio evidence, including relevant communication between the parties; 

• Copies of all relevant communication between Academic Integrity in the Office of the Provost and the student respondent.

If a student believes the Panel did not conduct a fair hearing and/or if a student believes the sanction imposed is excessive, they may seek an appeal within 14 calendar days of the original decision using the Academic Integrity Appeal Request Form. In cases in which the decision resulted in suspension or dismissal, the appellate officer will be the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education or the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and International Affairs.  For all other cases, the appellate officer will be the Chair of the Student Conduct Board.  Appeals are governed by Section VI of the University Student Conduct Code. 

If a student files an appeal and the original decision and sanctions are upheld, the sanctions will take effect upon issuance of the appeal decision and will be served in full. 

A case is considered completed when the responding student has either: 

1. been found “not responsible” for the potential violation, or; 

2. has been found responsible for the policy violation and completed University sanctions, including any assigned educational remedies. 

It is the responsibility of the Academic Integrity Coordinators to keep accurate, confidential records concerning academic integrity violations. When a student has been found responsible for an academic integrity violation, a letter summarizing the allegation, the outcome, and the sanction will be placed in the student’s official conduct file and may be reported out in accordance with the Policy on Reporting of Student Conduct Violations. 

• The official student conduct record contains all violations of the Code of Conduct, including Academic Integrity.  The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards maintain those records.  Please visit this webpage for the University’s reporting policies. 
• Students can request their conduct record at any time. Please use this form to request your student conduct record. 
• If a student fails to complete an academic integrity educational remedy by the assigned due date, the violation will become reportable. 
• Violations resulting in probation, suspension, or expulsion are considered reportable. 
• If a student is responsible for two academic integrity violations, both the first and second violations are reportable. 
• For more information on student conduct record retention or to request a copy of your conduct record, please visit this webpage. 

If a case of academic misconduct has not been formally reported to the Office of the Provost, and a student has received a grade in response to the concern, the student typically retains the option to pursue a grade appeal through their respective School. To do so, the student should follow the specific grade appeal process outlined by their School. It is advisable for the student to review the School’s guidelines and procedures carefully and to act promptly if they wish to challenge the grade. 

Academic Integrity Coordinators may discuss general information with external parties; this may include providing information regarding University policies and the academic integrity process.  AICs may not discuss information specific to a case and/or student without the consent of the parties involved. 

Students must complete a Consent to Release Information form to provide a University official with permission to communicate with specific parties. This form is used to permit administrative offices and academic units at the University to release other specified education records that are otherwise protected by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to specified third parties.  This consent to release is valid for one year from date of signature. In addition, any disclosure of a student’s education records to a third party, even in accordance with the student’s consent, is at the discretion of the University and is not required by FERPA.  

When a student is formally accused of academic misconduct, the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC) shall query the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards about the student(s) accused of misconduct. OSCCS shall provide any information in the OSCCS records concerning prior Code violations of that student to the coordinator. Such information will be used in determining sanctions if the student is found responsible for an academic integrity violation in the present case. Evidence of past misconduct generally may not be used to resolve the issue of whether a student has committed a violation in a subsequent case unless the Hearing Chair deems it relevant.  

The academic integrity process for a second possible violation will begin with an email to the student with a notice of complaint and invitation to meet with an Academic Integrity Coordinator.  During that first meeting, the AIC will explain the next steps in the process.   

A continuation or repetition of Code violations may result in a more severe Sanction, up to and including Suspension or Expulsion from the University.   If the student chooses to accept responsibility for the violation, they will need to participate in an Academic Integrity Board hearing panel to determine sanctions, as second violations may result in separation from the University (suspension or expulsion). 

Students must meet with a campus official (typically in the student’s academic program) who will submit a Request to Return form to the Office of the University Registrar (OUR) on the student’s behalf. Once the request is approved, OUR will process the student’s record to reflect an upcoming change to the primary Program of Study, which will become Active and In Progress for the upcoming term.

An Onboarding hold and an Advising hold will be placed on the student’s record as part of the return process.  Students must complete the required onboarding steps and meet with their academic advisor to plan for upcoming course enrollment and address any registration requirements.

If you have been assigned a suspension, you must meet with an Academic Integrity Coordinator within 45 business days of your return to campus. Failure to schedule and attend this meeting will result in a hold being placed on your student account.