Academic Integrity FAQs

If you are confused with any of the following, please book an appointment with a Student Advocate!

What is the difference between AIR I and AIR II?
1. In an AIR I, the Review Board reviews documents to determine responsibility. In an AIR II, the Review Board reviews documents and there is a formal meeting between the Review Board and all involved members. AIR II is reserved for students who may be facing separation from the university (i.e. they may be suspended or dismissed if found responsible).
Where do you find the AI sanctioning guideline?
1. The AI Sanctioning Guideline can be found on the Academic Integrity Office website: https://academicintegrity.ucsd.edu/process/consequences/sanctioning-guidelines.html
How long does it take to schedule a review?
1. Students must submit a review request form with AIO at most 5 business days after their Case Coordinator Meeting. Then, students have 10 business days to submit documentation (statements and evidence). Students are notified of a scheduled review at least 10 business days before the review date. Overall, this means that between the first meeting where a student denies responsibility and the review date, there may be about 20-25 business days.
How long does it take to find out the results of a review?
1. Decisions of an AIR II are normally sent within 2 business days of the review.
How do I appeal my decision?
1. Students have a right to appeal their decision under the following grounds (language from AIO’s Decision Appeals page):
  1. “The stated procedures were not followed.”
  2. “There exists newly discovered important evidence that has substantial bearing on the determination of the Review Panel.”
    1. Evidence is new if the student did not have access to it before the initial review.
2. Speak with a Student Advocate for help understanding appeal grounds, or to have your appeal reviewed.
3. Students can submit their appeal using the AIRB Decision Appeal Form also on the AIO webpage.
How do I appeal my sanctions?
1. Students have a right to appeal their sanctions under the following ground:
  1. “the Suspension or Dismissal is out-of-line with the sanctioning guidelines”
    1. This could mean that the point value of the violation does not match up with the sanction assigned.
2. Speak with a Student Advocate for help understanding appeal grounds, or to have your appeal reviewed.
3. Students can submit their appeal using the AIRB Decision Appeal Form also on the AIO webpage
Will my sanction be reduced if I accept responsibility?
1. According to AIO’s Sanctioning Guidelines notes: “If a student accepts responsibility, the indicated Disciplinary Action can be dropped to the next lowest level (e.g., Probation becomes Warning) based upon the professional judgment of the Resolution AAA or the Sanctioning Body.”
  1. It is important to note that this does not guarantee that a student will have their sanction reduced for accepting responsibility.
  2. Sanction reduction is up to the professional judgment of the Resolution AAA, and may not be applied depending on the circumstances.
What will appear on my transcript/record?
1. If you are held responsible for a violation, there will be a mark on your unofficial academic record next to the class that it occurred in. This mark does not show up on your official transcript, unless you were suspended or dismissed from UCSD. There is also an internal disciplinary record, visible only to UCSD officials, in which violations stay on record for 5 years after the case is closed.
2. Warning are not reported unless the student is responsible for a future violation.
3. More information can be found here
What will happen to my grade?
1. The AIO is not responsible for determining students’ grades; the professor of the class has full discretion over what grade to give a student who is found to have violated academic integrity policy, including an F.
2. What if I receive an F?
  1. It will be factored into your GPA, like it would be in any other class, and it will continue to be, even if you retake the class.
What if I fail to respond?
1. Failure to respond to an allegation is treated the same as if you accepted responsibility for the violation, so the AAA will continue to the sanctioning phase and assign you a sanction. You can appeal a failure to respond within 30 business days of receiving the sanction letter if there were extenuating circumstances that prevented you from responding.
Group cases:
1. What if one person accepts responsibility but the others do not?
  1. That person will be assigned a sanction while the others proceed to an Academic Integrity Review.
2. Will I be able to see all the student’s statements in the briefing packet?
  1. A copy of all the relevant statements will be included in the briefing packet.
3. Will we all go to one review?
  1. In most cases, there will be one review for all students that are contesting the violation in a group case, unless a joint review would cause substantial prejudice against the students.
If I suspect that another student is trying to copy my work, is it a violation if I do not report it?
1. Providing your own work to others to complete their assignments is considered a violation, so do not do it. If you were unaware that someone was copying your work, you may not be responsible.
Will my family be notified?
1. No one outside of the university will find out if you are held responsible for cheating, unless you voluntarily share that information with them, such as by sharing your UC San Diego records.