What Do I Do and How Do I Do It?

  • Professor detects alleged academic misconduct.
  • Professor contacts Department of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI) for advice and information about student’s prior record. Phone: 470.578.3403 or email: scai@kennesaw.edu
  • Professor may conduct informal resolution meeting with student by him/herself or with the help of a facilitator.
  • Professor sets informal resolution meeting with student (this may take place at SCAI conference room, if coordinated with SCAI Department).
  • Professor or facilitator explains the structure of the meeting.
  • Professor reviews the section of the Student Code of Conduct the student has allegedly violated and explains the nature of the accusation, providing all available evidence.
  • Accused student receives opportunity to explain the situation and provide any evidence relevant to the explanation.
  • Professor should wait until the student is finished to ask clarifying questions, providing reciprocal courtesy for the student’s silence during the initial charge explanation.
  • If student denies misconduct, professor determines if the explanation is satisfactory, in which case charges may be dropped. Educational dialogue should still usually take place prior to adjourning meeting.
  • If student accepts responsibility, professor moves to educational dialogue on academic misconduct prior to discussion of sanctions.
  • Educational dialogue should address the specific allegations as well as broader issues of academic misconduct.
  • Following the dialogue, the professor states the academic sanctions deemed appropriate to the offense and explains the decision, taking the student’s cooperation in the conference into consideration as a factor in determining severity.
  • If student accepts responsibility, the professor completes the electronic academic integrity incident form. A representative from SCAI then sends a confirmation email to the student's KSU email that states the charge and resolution. The student has 5 business days after this confirmation letter is sent to contact SCAI if he or she believes that the case has not been resolved as stated.
  • Professor explains purpose of centralized records.
  • If student denies misconduct and professor remains unconvinced, the meeting is immediately concluded and the matter referred to the Department of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity for a formal hearing.

Running a Successful Informal Resolution Meeting

  • Don’t take the issue any more personally than necessary. Stay professional.
  • Have a neutral third party present to witness the meeting, if possible, as a safeguard against litigious students or challenge to decision, probably either a department chair or a SCAI Department staff member.
  • Don’t allow the meeting to be derailed by irrelevant information; keep the dialogue focused.
  • Expect emotional displays. Have a box of tissues handy.
  • Be open to the possibility of a misunderstanding. Do not prejudge.
  • Be consistent in sanctioning violations from student to student, but do not apply “cookie-cutter” mentality to response.
  • Point out resources to help students avoid future such problems (tutoring labs, office hours, etc.).