Academic Integrity Process

Supporting Academic Honesty

Academic integrity is a shared commitment that helps ensure fairness, trust, and meaningful learning at OSU. When an academic misconduct allegation arises, both students and faculty participate in a process that promotes fairness, understanding, and educational outcomes.

Academic Integrity

The entire Academic Integrity Process is outlined in the Code of Conduct, Section 5.8. 

What is academic integrity?

Integrity is a character-driven commitment to honesty, doing what is right, and guiding others to do what is right. Academic misconduct, or violations of academic integrity, can fall into seven broad areas, including but not limited to: cheating; plagiarism; falsification; assisting; tampering; multiple submissions of work; and unauthorized recording and use. If you are unsure if something violates academic integrity policy, ask your professors, GTAs, academic advisors, or academic integrity officers. 

College Hearing Officers

College Hearing Officers (CHOs) play a crucial role in upholding academic integrity and fostering a fair learning environment. CHOs conduct hearings related to allegations of academic misconduct, ensuring that all parties involved have the opportunity to present their perspectives and evidence. Their responsibilities include conducting thorough investigations, reviewing relevant policies and procedures, and making impartial decisions based on the information presented. By upholding the standards of academic integrity, CHOs contribute to maintaining the credibility and reputation of OSU’s academic programs.

Find the College Hearing Officer for your college:

Prohibited Behavior

An academic misconduct allegation is filed when a student has reportedly violated one or more areas of academic integrity, which includes but is not limited to: assisting, cheating, falsification, tampering, plagiarism, multiple submissions of work, and unauthorized recording and use.

Overview of the Academic Integrity Process

This page provides a general explanation of the academic integrity process.

Concern Identified

  • When a faculty member or TA identifies a possible concern with a student’s academic work, they may meet with the student to clarify the issue.
  • If the concern is not related to academic misconduct (e.g., a missing citation due to error), the faculty member may resolve the issue directly with the student.
  • If the concern may involve academic misconduct, the faculty member consults with their unit head before proceeding.

Report Submitted to CHO

  • The instructor submits the alleged academic misconduct report to the College Hearing Officer (CHO).
  • The instructor may recommend possible academic sanctions if the student is found responsible.

CHO Receives the Report

  • The CHO reviews the report and supporting evidence.
  • The CHO determines whether the case should move forward.
  • If the case proceeds, the CHO sends a Notice of Charge to the student.

Notice of Charge Sent to Student

  • The CHO sends the Notice of Charge to the student’s ONID email, instructing them to schedule an administrative conference.
  • The student has 3 days to schedule the conference.

Administrative Conference

  • During the conference, the CHO and student discuss the alleged violation and review the submitted report and documentation.
  • The student may ask questions, provide context, or share additional information.

Written Statement Window

  •  After the administrative conference, the CHO sends the student a letter, providing the student with 10 days to submit a written statement responding to the allegation.
  • The student may choose not to submit a statement.

CHO Consults with Student Community Standards.

  • Before resolving the case, the CHO consults with SCS to determine whether the case can be resolved at the college level or must be transferred to SCS.
  • If transferred, SCS determines responsibility and assigns sanctions.

Decision Letters

  • If the student is found responsible for the allegations, the CHO or SCS sends the student a decision letter outlining sanctions and the opportunity to appeal.
  • If the student is found not responsible for the allegations, the CHO or SCS sends the student a decision letter, no sanctions will be assigned, and the student conduct process ends.
  • The faculty member is notified of any relevant academic penalties.

Appeals

  • If the student wishes to appeal, they must submit an appeal using the link in their decision letter within 5 business days.
  • Appeals must meet standards set out in the Code of Student Conduct, Section 8.2.

Academic Integrity FAQs

You will be receiving an email notice from the College Hearing Officer regarding the allegation. The message will explain the next steps in the process, so please watch for this letter and respond accordingly. The allegation does not mean that you are determined to be responsible. 

The goal of a College Hearing Officer is to assess all and every aspects of information for a fair judgment in your case. You will be found either responsible or not responsible for each charge. If you are found responsible, there will be an academic penalty and educational sanction for a first time violation. If probation or suspension is a possible sanction for your violation of the Code of Student Conduct, your case will be heard by the Student Conduct and Community Standards department.

The Administrative Conference is an opportunity for you to meet with the Hearing Officer and discuss the alleged violation. This will be your only chance to review the submitted information supporting the allegation and discuss potential outcomes, should you be found responsible for a violation. You will have the opportunity to respond to the allegation at this meeting, as described in the Code of Student Conduct. The Hearing Officer will also discuss additional university resources and support services that my help you achieve your academic goals.

Yes, you are welcome to be accompanied by your advisor or advocate. However, you are expected to speak for yourself and they may not speak on your behalf. 

The administrative conference is your chance to submit additional information for your case. Please bring what you would like to share with the Hearing Officer. After the meeting, you will have ten (10) business days to submit an additional written statement in response to the allegation.

We encourage every student who is involved in allegations of academic misconduct to participate. The process will allow you an opportunity to review the information and share your insights with the Hearing Officer.

If you do not participate, the academic integrity process will proceed without your input. Failure to complete any assigned sanctions could result in a registration hold.

As each case is unique, there is no time period that applies to everyone. Most cases are resolved within a few weeks, but more complex cases may require longer.

The academic integrity process itself should not prevent your registration. We strongly advise you to connect with your academic advisor.

No, the conduct record is confidential, and will not be shared without your authorization. 

You may submit an appeal. An appeal is not a second hearing of the case, but rather a review of the process and information to determine if the process provided met the standards of the Code.