Academic Misconduct Process

I suspect academic misconduct…Now what?

When you come across something that makes you think academic misconduct has occurred, it’s important to follow the University’s official process. Doing so protects everyone involved, ensures fairness, and helps maintain the integrity of our academic community.

What Should I Do?

If you think academic misconduct has occurred:

  1. Gather what you know. Collect any information related to the concern, such as the assignment, exam materials, syllabus instructions, or communication records.
  2. Contact Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution (SACR). Before discussing options with the student, check with SACR by emailing accountability@charlotte.edu or calling 704-687-0336 to determine which resolution pathways are available for the student. Faculty should not offer a resolution until SACR confirms the available options.
  3. Notify the student of your concern. Once SACR confirms the available resolution pathways, let the student know they are suspected of academic misconduct and share what will happen next based on the process. Not sure how to start the conversation? SACR offers additional guidance on how to approach the conversation.
  4. Allow the student to continue with the course. Students should continue to have access to course materials and be able to participate in class while the matter is being reviewed. If the semester ends before the case is resolved, an Incomplete (I) grade may be used until the process concludes.
  5. Be mindful of deadlines. There are specific deadlines for submitting information and moving cases forward. Delays or lack of participation may limit our outcome options and/or result in the case not being pursued.

Why Following the Process Matters

Under the 14th Amendment, UNC Charlotte must provide students with proper due process before taking any action that could affect their educational rights. For faculty, this means clearly communicating course expectations, such as grading and course requirements, and following all required procedures when academic misconduct is suspected. In these cases, due process means:

  • Provide clear and timely notice of the concern. Students must receive written notice of the allegation(s) and be informed of the process and next steps.
  • Give the student access to the information being used in the case. Students have the right to see the information that will be used in their case (often in redacted form if needed to protect other students), allowing them to understand and respond to the concern. However, this does not mean they must receive copies of copyrighted, proprietary, or protected materials. Instead, the student must be given a meaningful opportunity to review the information, whether through supervised viewing, redacted materials, or another appropriate method, so they can understand and respond to the concerns while protected content remains secure.
  • Give the student an opportunity to share their perspective. Students must have a meaningful chance to explain what happened, provide relevant information, and participate in whichever resolution pathways are available to them.
  • Maintain neutrality and use the correct standard of proof. Decisions are not made based on assumptions or personal opinions, but supported by evidence and grounded in clearly communicated expectations. Remember that students are presumed not responsible unless the information shows otherwise by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that misconduct occurred. Treat the student fairly and follow the established procedures.

As a general rule, the more serious the consequence, the more stringent the due process requirements. Following the process ensures that decisions are based on accurate information and that students are treated with consistency and respect.