Reporting Violations

What is an Academic Integrity Violation?

Students are expected to act with honesty and integrity while carrying out academic assignments, according to the ASU Student Academic Integrity Policy. Academic integrity violations fall into five broad categories:

1. Cheating on an academic evaluation or assignment
2. Plagiarism
3. Academic deceit, such as fabricating data, information or documentation
4. Aiding others in committing integrity violations and inappropriately collaborating
5. Falsifying academic records

Preventing Violations

You can take steps to promote academic integrity in your course and discourage dishonesty. Some deliberate design choices can prevent students from making a choice that violates academic integrity. When students understand what is expected and know what success looks like, they are less likely to resort to cheating.

Check out this in-depth guide to prevent violations in your course by design: Academic Integrity Guide and Resources

At a minimum, your syllabus should include statements and guidelines regarding academic integrity. Clarify where collaboration is appropriate and discuss citing sources. Explain important deadlines and clarify late policies. Making sure assignments have clear instructions will help students understand what’s expected of them. Having these in place in advance will serve as supporting evidence if you ever encounter a violation.

Reporting an Academic Integrity Violation at SOLS

If you believe one of your students has committed an act of academic dishonesty in course, start with step 1 of the process below. If an agreement can’t be reached during this step, continue to the next step to escalate.

1. Communicate with the student.
         a. Send an email to the student notifying them of your concern and request a meeting. The email should include a response deadline.
         b. Meet with the student face-to-face or via Zoom. The instructor or student can request a third party be present.
2. Submit evidence to the SOLS Undergraduate Academic Integrity form.
         a. Include your syllabus, a copy of the assignment, any other evidence, and a detailed description of the allegation.

3. Violation under review
         a. While the violation is being reviewed, the student should be allowed to participate normally in the class.
         b. The case is reviewed by multiple parties. The reporting instructor may be contacted more than once as the case is escalated from SOLS to the College and Dean.

         See the “Academic integrity resources for faculty” heading on this page for step-by-step details about the parties involved in the escalation process: SOLS Advising and Support

         c. If the College Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) determines a violation has occurred, the instructor is contacted and the student is notified of the allegation and sanction, including their right to appeal.

4. Student appeal
          a. The student has 10 business days after the AIO notification to appeal.
          b. If an appeal is filed, the AIO schedules a hearing of The College Student Affairs and Grievance Committee. The instructor (or unit representative) and student are required to participate.
          c. A written recommendation is sent by the committee to the Dean.
5. Dean makes final determination
          a. AIO notifies all parties of the Dean’s determination and sanctions are in place.
          b. Unless the sanction is suspension or expulsion from the university, the student has no further appeal options.

Questions regarding academic integrity: [email protected] 

Resources and Next Steps

ASU Provost: Student Academic Integrity Policy
TLC Academic Integrity Guide and Resources
SOLS Advising and Support: Academic integrity resources for faculty