The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences policies
These are the current policies in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Academic integrity
Academic honesty is expected of all students in all examinations, assignments, papers, laboratory work, academic transactions and records. More information about academic honesty is available at the academic integrity website, and information about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences policies and procedures can be found at the college website.
Academic dishonesty investigation and procedures
- Anyone with a good faith basis for believing that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty may report the alleged violation to the instructor or academic integrity officer for the college or school in which the academic dishonesty occurred.
- If the instructor or academic integrity officer concludes that there is a sufficient basis to believe the student engaged in academic dishonesty, the instructor or the academic integrity officer notifies the student of the alleged violation and initiates the investigative process.
- Before concluding the investigation, the instructor or academic integrity officer provides the student a summary of the information gathered. The student has five business days after the notice is sent to respond to the allegation.
- At any point in the process, the student can contact the academic integrity officer to seek consultation or clarification.
- The student may be accompanied by an advisor at any point in the process. The advisor is not permitted to participate directly or speak for the student.
- Once the investigation is complete, in consultation with the academic integrity officer, the instructor recommends a sanction. The student is notified of the result of the investigation and of any sanction to be imposed.
Sanctions and appeal
The following sanctions may be imposed for academic dishonesty:
- reduced or failing grade for the academic evaluation
- reduced or failing grade for the course
- a grade of "XE"
- withdrawal of credit for a previously accepted course or requirement
- suspension from the university for a specific period
- expulsion from the university without expectation of readmission
- other sanctions as consistent with this policy and the Student Code of Conduct
At any time, the student and the instructor may agree on the sanction and inform the academic integrity officer or the dean. The academic integrity officer or the dean may reject the proposed resolution and appoint a designee to pursue the case on behalf of the college.
A student alleged to have violated the Academic Integrity Policy has the following rights:
- The student is notified of their right to appeal to the dean. The student must file their appeal no later than 10 business days after the date the notification is sent. If the student does not file a timely appeal, the sanction is final.
- A student's appeal of an allegation of an academic integrity violation or recommended sanction must be submitted in writing and include the following:
- a description of the alleged academic dishonesty, including a factual narrative of events, the dates and times of occurrences, and any other reason that the sanction should not be imposed
- the names of persons who have information about relevant circumstances or events
- the general nature and description of all evidence
- If the student files an appeal, the student must meet with the academic integrity officer to discuss hearing procedures. The academic integrity officer helps the student navigate the process and provides additional information when needed.
- If the student wishes to dispute any aspect of the allegation or sanction, the student may file an appeal. If the student files a timely appeal, the sanction is not imposed until the appeal is resolved. If the student files an appeal at the end of a semester or during the last semester of enrollment, the course grade or degree may be withheld until the matter is resolved. If a grade or degree is withheld for any period, the academic integrity officer or dean must notify the Registrar's Office.
Student Affairs and Grievances Committee hearing
The academic integrity officer forwards a student's timely appeal to the instructor.
Prehearing proceedings
The academic integrity officer sends a notice of hearing to the student; instructor; The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' Student Affairs and Grievances Committee (termed "college/school board" on the Office of the University Provost website); and the head of the college, school or academic unit where the alleged dishonesty occurred. The notice includes the following information:
- the time and place of the hearing before the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee (Unless the parties and academic integrity officer agree otherwise, the hearing takes place during the regular fall or spring semester.)
- a copy of this policy or instructions on how to access the policy electronically
- the requirement that parties provide to the academic integrity officer a written list of witnesses and a description of any documents or other evidence they intend to use at the hearing (Unless the chairperson provides otherwise, this information must be exchanged at least five business days before the hearing.)
- the length of time set for the hearing, the time limitation for the presentation of evidence, and any other procedural requirements
Conduct of the hearing
To preserve the confidential nature of the disciplinary process and to protect the privacy of those involved, the hearing is closed to the public.
The chairperson of the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee presides at the hearing and rules upon all procedural matters. The formal rules of evidence do not apply, although objections to the introduction of specific statements or documents may be considered by the chairperson. Irrelevant, immaterial, privileged or unduly repetitious information is excluded.
The instructor has the burden of showing it is more likely than not that the student engaged in academic dishonesty. The instructor must also explain the reason for the sanction. If the student accepts responsibility for academic dishonesty, then the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee may focus the hearing on the appropriate sanction.
Information regarding prior violations or informal resolutions of previous allegations may not be used as proof of a current violation but may be admitted for other purposes, such as to show that the student had prior experience relevant to the allegations or to show that the student had been informed previously that the conduct was unacceptable. The Student Affairs and Grievances Committee may also consider information regarding prior violations in determining an appropriate sanction.
A student who fails to appear or refuses to participate at the hearing is deemed to have abandoned the appeal, unless the student can demonstrate that extraordinary circumstances prevented appearance or participation.
The student and instructor may each have an advisor present, but the advisors are not permitted to address the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee directly, except as the chairperson deems necessary or appropriate.
The hearing is recorded, and the student may request a copy of the recording. The student may also request a transcript but is responsible for its cost.
Except as otherwise permitted by the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee, witnesses are excluded from the hearing except during their own testimony. The chairperson may remove a party, advisor or witness from the hearing if that person's conduct is disruptive.
When necessitated by fairness or extraordinary circumstances, the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee may permit the parties to make arrangements for recorded, written or telephonic testimony from their witnesses for use in the proceeding.
The instructor proceeds first at each stage of the presentation.
- Each party may present an opening statement, which summarizes what information is expected to be presented.
- Each party calls a witness or witnesses to provide statements under oath.
- At the conclusion of each witness's statement, they may be questioned by the other party.
- The committee may ask further questions of each witness.
- Each party may present a closing statement, which summarizes the information presented.
If the alleged academic dishonesty involves the work of multiple students, the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee may modify these procedures to address the circumstances. The college Student Affairs and Grievances Committee should provide prior written notice of any modification of the procedures to all parties. Each student must file their own appeal. A student who has not filed an appeal should not expect to benefit from another student's appeal.
College board deliberations and recommendations
Following the presentation of information and closing statements, the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee discusses the information presented and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from it. Only the committee, its legal advisor, if any, and the academic integrity officer may be present during the deliberations. Neither the student nor the instructor may be present during the deliberations.
Based solely upon the information presented, the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee formulates a recommendation to the dean as to whether the student has more likely than not engaged in academic dishonesty and the appropriate sanction. Recommendations must be supported by a simple majority of the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee.
The Student Affairs and Grievances Committee prepares and sends a written recommendation to the dean within five business days of the hearing. The written recommendation includes findings of fact and a statement of the reasons for the recommendation. It is signed by the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee chair. If the recommendation is not unanimous, dissenting opinions should be reflected in the recommendation.
Review and decision by dean
After reviewing the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee's recommendation, the dean renders a written decision that affirms, denies or accepts the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee's recommendation with modifications.
The dean may not make new findings adverse to the student or increase the severity of a sanction unless:
- The dean provides the student notice and an opportunity to respond to the new findings or sanction
- The dean remands the matter to the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee for further proceedings
The dean provides written notice of the decision to the student; the academic integrity officer; the instructor; the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee; and the head of the college, school or academic unit where the alleged dishonesty occurred within 20 business days following receipt of the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee's recommendation. A delay may occur if it becomes necessary to conduct further investigation or to remand the matter to the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee. In those cases, the written decision is transmitted no later than 20 business days following completion of the investigation or the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee's subsequent recommendation.
The dean's decision is final and may not be further appealed unless the dean recommends that the provost suspend or expel the student from the university.
If the dean recommends the suspension or expulsion of an international student, both the student and academic integrity officer should consult with the ASU International Students and Scholars Center.
If the dean recommends that the provost suspend or expel the student from the university, the letter from the dean states that the student may appeal the recommendation by filing a written request for review with the provost within 10 business days of the date of the letter.
If the student does not timely appeal, the provost or designee reviews the dean's recommendation and issues a final decision on suspensions or expulsions from the university.
Review and decision of a suspension or expulsion from the university
A student may seek to have a dean's decision reviewed by the University Academic Integrity Hearing Board only if the dean recommends that the provost suspend or expel the student from the university. However, a student who fails to appeal or who abandons the appeal at the Student Affairs and Grievances Committee hearing may not appeal to the University Academic Integrity Hearing Board.
The appeal must be in writing and must be filed with the provost within 10 business days of the date of the dean's decision letter.
The provost or designee appoints and charges a University Academic Integrity Hearing Board to conduct the hearing. The board comprises three members; one member must be a student, and one of the other members acts as chairperson. The hearing follows the procedures set forth in the Student Code of Conduct Procedures (PDF), except that the college or school takes the role of the dean of students, and the provost or designee takes the role of the senior vice president for Educational Outreach and Student Services.
Notice of nondiscrimination
ASU prohibits all forms of discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Students should review ASU's policy ACD 401: Prohibition Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation.
Title IX protects individuals from discrimination based on sex in any educational program or activity operated by recipients of federal financial assistance. As required by Title IX, ASU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that we operate, including in admission and employment. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may be referred to the ASU Title IX coordinator or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or to both. For more information, students should email titleixcoordinator@asu.edu, call 480-965-0696, or visit the office located at 1120 S. Cady Mall, INTDSB 284. For information on making a report, students should reference the Report It website.