Academic Integrity Board FAQ

  1. What is the Academic Integrity Board?

    The Academic Integrity Board is the body that adjudicates infractions of the Academic Integrity Statement. These infractions include, but are not limited to, cases of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, failure to cite properly, cheating) and time violations on exams (overtimes).

    The Academic Integrity Board is composed of student and faculty voting members. The chair, the Associate Dean of the College, is a non-voting member.

  2. When does a student appear before the Academic Integrity Board?

    A student appears before the Academic Integrity Board if they have been reported to the Board by a member of the faculty, a fellow student, or, in the case of an overtime infraction for a self-scheduled exam, by the Registrar.

    A meeting is called after the Academic Integrity Board receives a report of a suspected violation and after the chair has had an opportunity to speak with the reported student.

  3. What is the usual range of the sanctions?

    Normally, the Academic Integrity Board issues a sanction that affects the grade of the assignment in question or the final course grade. Students found in violation of the Academic Integrity Statement will not be allowed to drop or change the grading option for the course in question. In the case of a very serious or repeated offense the Academic Integrity Board may recommend to the President of the College that the student be suspended or permanently separated from the college (expelled).

    If a student fails a course as a result of an Academic Integrity Board sanction they may not use AP/IB or prematriculation credit to make up any shortage created by that failure.

    If a student is taking a course in which they are found to have committed a serious infraction with the S/U option the Academic Integrity Board reserves the right to change the grading option to a letter grade.

  4. Can the Academic Integrity Board suspend or expel students?

    The Academic Integrity Board may recommend expulsion or suspension to the President in the case of repeated or egregious infraction(s) of the Academic Integrity Statement. This action is rare.

  5. Who will be notified of the allegation of a violation of the Academic Integrity Code?

    Apart from the members of the Academic Integrity Board, only the class dean will be notified; however, the particular student involved in the situation shares the details of such an allegation with their class dean. In cases where the reporting party is a student and the reported student is found in violation, the reporting party will not be informed of the outcome.

  6. How confidential are Academic Integrity Board proceedings?

    All proceedings of the Academic Integrity Board are confidential. All information brought before the Academic Integrity Board will remain strictly confidential. Neither Academic Integrity Board members nor those called before the Academic Integrity Board will discuss the case outside the meeting. Parents are not informed of the Board’s decisions.

  7. Will a violation be reported on my college transcript?

    Not normally. In egregious cases, the Academic Integrity Board may decide as part of the sanction to put a note on the student’s transcript. A record of the violation will be kept in the Class Deans Office for seven years. When graduate schools or professional schools inquire about Academic Integrity Board cases, the records will be reported by the Class Deans Office.

  8. What happens at a meeting?

    The members of the Academic Integrity Board have copies of whatever materials are necessary to their understanding of the situation. Reporting parties and reported parties will separately be afforded the opportunity to explain the situation. Members of the Academic Integrity Board are free to ask questions to clarify any points that they may not understand of anyone who appears before the Board. After statements are heard from all concerned parties, the Academic Integrity Board deliberates on the case and typically makes a decision during the meeting. All affected parties (except reporting students) are informed of the outcome within seven to ten days of the decision.

  9. Do I have to be alone at a hearing?

    Your class dean will accompany you to the Academic Integrity hearing as your support person.

  10. Should I meet with my Class Dean before the meeting?

    Yes, you are required to meet with your class dean before the hearing. Doing so will help you to further understand why you are being called before the Academic Integrity Board and the Academic Integrity Board’s procedures.

  11. What is the role of the class dean at the meeting?

    Your class dean attends the meeting as your adviser. If you do not understand a question, you may ask your class dean for clarification or consult with them during the meeting.

  12. Should I meet with the Chair of the Academic Integrity Board?

    Yes, you are required to meet with the chair of the Academic Integrity Board before the hearing.

  13. Will being brought to the Academic Integrity Board affect my financial aid?

    A student’s Smith financial aid package is not affected by the Academic Integrity Board’s decision.

  14. Must I attend the hearing?

    Yes, students called before the Academic Integrity Board are required to appear at the time set by the chair. Academic Integrity hearings take precedence over all other activities.

  15. Do I need to bring anything with me to the hearing?

    Students are required to have submitted your written statement and any relevant supporting materials to the Academic Integrity Board at least two business days prior to the hearing. A reported student will read the statement aloud to the Academic Integrity board during the hearing.

  16. Is there an appeals process?

    Appeals may be made only on the grounds of gross error in procedure that significantly affected the outcome, discovery of new supporting materials that were not reasonably available at the time of the hearing that could affect the outcome, or evidence of biased treatment of the reported student that affected the outcome. Appeals may not be filed solely based on disagreeing with the board’s decision.

    Appeals of decisions of the Academic Honor Board shall be made in writing to the dean of the college within 14 days of the date on the board’s decision letter.

  17. Does the Academic Integrity Board meet when we are on holidays and breaks?

    The Academic Integrity Board does not meet for full hearings during breaks from classes. When possible, the Board will conduct administrative hearings during breaks.