For cases resolved via the Conduct Process, the Office of Academic Integrity is responsible for all logistics and communication. An assigned case manager oversees investigation and resolution of each reported violation, and ensures that appropriate course-level, educational, and disciplinary sanctions are assigned.
The authorized reporter is responsible for recommending course-level sanction(s). They must also provide all necessary evidence and are encouraged to participate fully throughout the resolution process.
Investigation & Resolution Procedures
- The case manager sends a written charge via WVU email to the accused student.
- The student must meet - in person or via telephone or web-based conference - with the case manager and, if appropriate, the authorized reporter. In this meeting, the student may respond to the charge(s) and/or present evidence.
- If the student does not respond to two attempts to meet, the case manager will hold them responsible. This finding is based solely on the evidence provided by the authorized reporter and/or discovered during the investigation.
- If the case manager holds the student not responsible, they notify the student that the case is closed with no disciplinary record.
- If the case manager finds the student responsible, they take next steps following guidelines published in the relevant campus conduct policy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disciplinary sanctions include - but are not limited to - the following:
- A formal written warning.
- Disciplinary probation.
- Deferred suspension.
- Suspension.
- Program dismissal.
- Expulsion.
These are also known as status sanctions, as they may represent a change in the student's status with the University. More information on these sanctions is available in the WVU Policy on Student Academic Integrity.
To determine disciplinary sanctions, the Office of Academic Integrity uses a multi-step, progressive process. This means that sanctions like a warning or probation are assigned before sanctions like suspension or expulsion – except in particularly serious cases. Additionally, a rubric is used to promote consistency and objectively organize information about the case and the accused student. Finally, when warranted by the facts of the case, the Office of Academic Integrity consults with appropriate campus partners prior to making a final decision on sanctions.
Instructors are responsible for recommending whether the student should receive a grade (course-level) sanction. They may also recommend higher-level sanctions (e.g., the Unforgivable F (UF)).
No. Instructors should decide whether a grade sanction should be imposed based upon the specific circumstances of the alleged violation. Even if the instructor knows that the student has a prior academic misconduct violation, the grade sanction assigned should be in keeping with the offense. Disciplinary sanctions to address repeated misconduct will be assigned by the Office of Academic Integrity, via the Conduct Process.
Authorized reporters are encouraged - but not required - to participate in all scheduled meetings. Regardless of their level of participation, they are required to provide any evidence requested by the Office of Academic Integrity. They are also required to provide their recommendation for whether a course-level sanction is appropriate.
Yes, and such communication is encouraged to normalize how sanctions are assigned across the institution.
The authorized reporter should always refer student questions directly to the Office of Academic Integrity via email.
Individuals with a legitimate educational interest in such information may be notified when a student is reported for academic misconduct. For example, this could include department chairs, appeal reviewers, and academic administrators within the student's major college.