From Concern to Resolution: Academic Misconduct Process
Many issues can be resolved within the course between a faculty member and student, and we encourage you to participate in a solution when offered. Faculty are trained to provide feedback to students on academic issues that arise in assignments. We recommend that you respond to your instructor in a timely manner, stay open to feedback, and revise work as permitted.
Often, many issues are resolved between an instructor and a student.
If you and your instructor cannot resolve the issue, then your instructor may consult with the Office of Academic Integrity and Accountability (OAIA). An OAIA case manager will discuss the situation with your instructor to determine what the next step might be.
After evaluating the information and context documentation and other information about the situation, the case manager will either decide to file an academic misconduct case or will refer the faculty member to resources to address the situation as a learning opportunity.
If a case is filed, the case manager will notify you of that and explain what will happen next. Upon receiving the notification, you have five business days to respond and provide any information that you think is important for the case manager to know.
Once the case manager receives your response (or if five business days pass with no response), the case manager will prepare a summary of the evidence relevant to the case and send it to you. You have 10 business days to review the summary and respond to the case manager.
If you provide additional information in your response, the case manager will update the summary. You have five business days to respond to the revised summary.
When the information-gathering is complete, the case manager will make a decision on the case and send you notification of that.
Possible sanctions for misconduct cases may include one or more of the following:
Revision of the assignment for a lowered grade (25–50 percent reduction in grade) or a 0 on the assignment
Assignment of Educational Remediation: Learning or reflection activities on academic integrity, personal ethics, and/or time management/self-care, with the goal of helping you move forward with integrity in future coursework
Sanctions for repeated or egregious misconduct may include one or more of the following:
A grade of F in the course
Disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, invalidation of credit, or degree revocation
You may appeal the decision within five business days of being notified if new information that was not available at the time of the case processing becomes available or if the procedures were not followed. The decision may not be appealed based on dissatisfaction or disagreement with the sanction.
Academic Integrity: How to Appeal
We've presented a simplified outline of how to appeal an academic integrity sanction, describing the process in both text and infographic format.
Step 1: Student receives notice of sanction.
Step 2: Student may submit an appeal within 5 business days.
Step 3: UMGC responds with case information within 7 business days.
Step 4: Student may reply to UMGC within 5 business days.
Step 5: Appeals officer reviews case information.
If appeal requirements are met: Student is notified of final appeal decision.
If appeal requirements are not met: Appeal is dismissed.
