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When Cheating is Suspected

When an instructor suspects that there may have been actions violating academic integrity standards, they are professionally and ethically obligated to follow the UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures.  

The following section describes the steps normally taken to report and resolve an allegation of an AI violation. Note that this information does not supersede the process detailed in the Policy or Procedures. If there are inconsistencies, please refer to the official Policy and Procedures.

1. Intent to Report

If an instructor suspects an academic integrity violation but needs time to investigate, they may submit an Intent to Report. This action restricts the student from making changes to the class, such as dropping or changing grading options, as per the Academic Integrity Policy.

2. Instructor-Student Interaction

Instructors may choose to communicate with students before submitting an official Allegation Report. Reasons include: 

  • Informing the student of the intent to report 
  • Discussing their concerns with the student 
  • Resolving the case via an “Instructor-Student Resolution”.
    • The student can then accept responsibility, contest the violation, or choose not to respond. If the student doesn't meet or respond, a Resolution AAA meeting is normally scheduled.
    • To conduct an Instructor-Student Resolution meeting for the first time, please contact aio@ucsd.edu for more information.

Instructors and students are not required to meet, and students are not obligated to respond to any communication from the instructor.

3. Official AI Allegation Report

The instructor submits an official Allegation Report to the Academic Integrity (AI) Office, regardless of whether communication occurred. If a student is enrolled in the course, they must be allowed to continue in the course and cannot make any enrollment changes (i.e., drop, change grading options).

4. AI Report Processed

The AI Office processes the report and initiates the case. If the case was resolved via an “Instructor-Student Resolution”, the AI Office may expedite the case to the Sanctioning Phase. Otherwise, the case is assigned to a Resolution AAA who will notify the student of a report and hold a resolution meeting with them.

5. Resolution Meeting Outcomes

Resolution Meeting Held

During a resolution meeting, the Resolution AAA and student will discuss the policy, allegation and options for resolution. Three outcomes are possible: 

  • Student accepts responsibility, proceeding to the Sanctioning Phase. 
  • Student doesn't accept responsibility, leading to the Academic Integrity Review process. The Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB) will determine whether the student is responsible. 
  • Student doesn't accept responsibility but presents evidence that the Resolution AAA shares with the instructor, leading to withdrawal of the allegation. 

 

6. Next Steps

Resolution Notice

If the student is responsible for a violation, notifications are sent to both student and instructor detailing the resolution and any administrative sanctions imposed. The instructor can then submit the final grade and include an academic sanction (i.e., grade penalty). 

AI Review Requested Notice

If the student contests, the Resolution AAA will provide the student with instructions to start the Review process. The AI Office will notify the instructor of the request for an AI Review and further instructions. 

Further information regarding AI Reviews can be found on our AI Reviews webpage.

Grades

If the case is resolved during the quarter, the student's grade can be submitted as usual. If unresolved, an X grade is submitted, to be updated once the allegation is resolved.

Appeals

Students have the right to appeal the findings of the Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB), administrative sanctions, and academic sanctions.