For more information visit the Appealing Academic Honesty Violations
Faculty play a critical role in ensuring that academically honest behavior is rewarded and fostered at Western Washington University. They play an equally important part in ensuring that all suspected violations of academically honest behavior are properly investigated.
Academic honesty violations include, but are not limited to cheating, multiple submissions, fabrication, plagiarism, or assisting others to engage in these behaviors. For additional examples of academically honest and dishonest behaviors, please visit the Examples of Behaviors that Lack Integrity page.
Participating in the Appeals Process Flowchart
Participating in the Appeals Process
Participating in the Appeals Process Steps
Participating in the Appeals Process
| Step | Entity | Task Description |
| 1 | Instructor | Contact student(s) (in person, or during an exploratory meeting, or through email or other university-provided method) to inform the student(s) of the suspected violation, the student’s right to a meeting separate from initial contact to discuss the suspected violation, and the instructor’s responsibility to investigate. Contact must be initiated within ten (10) working days after discovering the suspected violation. *If student does not respond, attempt a second and different method of contact (e.g., Canvas, letter, phone). A student’s failure to respond does not halt the process and a violation form will be filed within 10 working days. **If faculty member is not the instructor of record, initial contact should be addressed from both instructors, and the instructor of record should be the one to carry forward the investigation. ***If instructor is unable to discuss suspected violation with student before submitting final grades, the instructor should submit a grade of “X.” Within twenty-five (25) working days of the start of the next quarter, the grade of X will be changed to an F or (“U” or “NP” as appropriate) unless the registrar’s office is notified of a different outcome. |
| 2 | Student | The student has a right to a meeting separate from initial contact with the instructor to address the allegation. *The request must be made within ten working days of the instructor’s initial contact. **The meeting must occur within seven working days of the student’s request. ***This meeting must be separate from an exploratory meeting if one is held. |
| 3 | Instructor | Determine whether an academic honesty violation occurred and decide appropriate and reasonable sanctions for the violation. *Determination should be made within ten working days of initial contact or within five working days of meeting with student, whichever is longer. |
| 4 | Instructor | If violation is determined to have occurred, email student with summary of findings and sanctions (if imposed). Also include a link to the “Academic Honesty Appealopen_in_new(opens in new window)” form and the name and email address of the Department Chair to whom the appeal should be submitted. Copy email to Department Chair, Registrar’s Office, and the Provost’s Office. Also, submit “Academic Honesty Policy Violation” form to AcademicHonestyBoard@wwu.eduopen_in_new(opens in new window). |
| 5 | Secretary to Academic Honesty Board | Forward “Academic Honesty Policy Violationopen_in_new(opens in new window)” form to Registrar’s Office, College Dean’s Office, Department Chair’s office, and the student. |
| 6 | Registrar | Mail and email a letter to the student that contains a copy of the “Academic Honesty Policy Violation” form and notification to complete the Academic Integrity Workshop. Send electronic copy of letter to instructor, College Dean’s Office, Department Chair’s Office, and AcademicHonestyBoard@wwu.edu. |
| 7 | Secretary to Academic Honesty Board | Maintain “Academic Honesty Policy Violation” form and update records regarding appeals and decisions. Lock “Academic Honesty Policy Violation” form once the process is complete. |
| 8 | Student | Complete Academic Integrity Workshop. |
Contact Information:
Contact Melinda Assink (x3480) for general questions about reporting or appealing an alleged Academic Honesty violation.