When Graduate Students Are Suspected of Academic Misconduct
When a faculty member reasonably believes that there is sufficient information to demonstrate that a student may have engaged in Academic Misconduct:
- The faculty member will discuss the incident with the student, in the presence of the department chair if the faculty member or student so desires.
- At this time the faculty member shall outline the possible penalties specified in the CCSU Student Handbook.
- The faculty member will indicate that the matter may be referred to the Dean, School of Graduate Studies or the University Judicial Officer for possible disciplinary action.
- Based on the available documentation, the response offered by the student, if any, and any other relevant information:
- The faculty member will, within a reasonable period of time, reach a determination whether the student has engaged in Academic Misconduct.
- Should the faculty member determine that Academic Misconduct has occurred, the faculty member shall retain evidence of the said misconduct.
- If the faculty member determines that Academic Misconduct has not occurred, no University Academic Misconduct Report need be prepared.
- If the faculty member determines that Academic Misconduct has occurred, the faculty member shall:
- Impose an academic sanction.
- Prepare and forward to the Dean, School of Graduate Studies or the University Judicial Officer, a University Academic Misconduct Report indicating the determination reached and sanctions imposed.
The faculty member:
- Shall inform the student that additional University Academic Misconduct Reports may result in more severe penalties.
- May contact the dean, School of Graduate Studies or the University Judicial Officer to request a conference with the student to further explain the act leading to the University Academic Misconduct Report. The conference will be facilitated by the dean of the School of Graduate Studies and include the University Judicial Officer, a Graduate Studies Committee member not affiliated with the graduate program of the student, and the graduate student. This meeting will not be a disciplinary hearing, but a consultation with the student to further explain the misconduct.
- May request a disciplinary hearing with the dean of the School of Graduate Studies and the University Judicial Officer, in cases of serious forms of academic misconduct.
In accordance with the "Student Records and Directory Information Policy (FERPA)," "Data from academic, disciplinary, and counseling files shall not be available to unauthorized persons on campus or to any person off campus without the express consent of the student involved, except under legal compulsion" (CCSU Student Handbook). One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is defined as a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.