Appalachian State University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

App State maintains two separate but related codes: the Code of Student Conduct (general conduct) and the Academic Integrity Code (Policy 205), each with its own dedicated hearing board.

The Academic Integrity Board requires student members to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be in good disciplinary standing, and faculty members are appointed by the Faculty Senate.

The Honor Pledge is a cornerstone of the Academic Integrity Code. Students pledge: 'I pledge on my honor that I have not violated the Appalachian State University Academic Integrity Code.'

Appeals of academic integrity sanctions go directly to the Provost (Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost), not to a separate board.

Sanctions remain in effect during an appeal unless the Director grants a delay in extenuating circumstances, making timely and well-prepared appeals critical.

App State is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina system and is bound by UNC Board of Governors Policy 700.4.1 on minimum substantive and procedural standards.

Title IX and sex-based misconduct complaints are handled separately through the Office of Access and Opportunity: Equal Opportunity (EO), not the Office of Student Conduct.

Both Respondents and Complainants have appeal rights in Title IX and sex-based misconduct cases.

Complaints must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged violation, with extension possible in extenuating circumstances.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at App State?

Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (OSCAI) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at App State. For conduct matters, the University Conduct Board is composed of individuals selected by the Director from a pool of campus administrators, faculty, and students, with campus administrators constituting a majority. An Administrative Hearing Officer (a trained full-time University staff member or trained third party appointed by the Director) may alternatively hear a case. For academic integrity matters, the Academic Integrity Board is composed of students selected through an application and interview process (must be full-time, in good disciplinary standing, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above) and faculty members appointed by the Faculty Senate. All students enrolled at Appalachian State University, including online and off-campus locations in Boone and Hickory, NC. The Code covers on-campus conduct and off-campus conduct that interferes with the mission of the University or impacts the health and safety of students and the surrounding community.

What is the evidence standard at App State?

App State applies Preponderance of the evidence. A student is found 'Responsible' when, based on the preponderance of the evidence, they are determined to have committed a violation. under Code of Student Conduct (2025-2026) and Academic Integrity Code (Policy 205) (Policy 205 (Academic Integrity Code); UNC Board of Governors Policy 700.4.1 (Minimum Substantive and Procedural Standards for Student Disciplinary Proceedings)). Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity uses this standard when determining whether a student is responsible for an alleged violation. The evidence standard is critical because it determines how strong the evidence must be before a finding of responsibility can be made.

What rights do I have during a App State conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Conduct (2025-2026) and Academic Integrity Code (Policy 205), students facing a Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Presumed not responsible for a violation unless determined otherwise; Written notice of any allegation or formal charge of prohibited conduct; review information that will be presented in any resolution (may be provided in redacted format); obtain support, advice, or assistance from a support individual, Procedural Advisor, and/or an Advisor (attorney or non-attorney). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at App State?

Faculty who suspect an academic integrity violation report through the Office of Student Conduct. A complaint must be made within 180 calendar days of the alleged violation. For conduct cases, any individual or entity may file a complaint. The Director reviews the complaint and, in their professional judgment, determines the appropriate resolution path (Informal Resolution or Formal Resolution). If a student fails to respond to initial notice within five days, a hold may be placed on their account preventing registration, transcript access, or graduation.

What sanctions can App State impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including letter of concern, disciplinary warning, disciplinary probation, and more serious outcomes including suspension and expulsion. The specific sanction depends on the facts, the student's prior record, and any mitigating factors presented during the proceeding. Sanction-phase advocacy is often as important as the responsibility phase, since even a first finding can carry long-term consequences on transcripts and graduate school applications.

How do I appeal a decision at App State, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at App State is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. The Code specifies the Provost has 15 days to decide after receiving the appeal, but the deadline for a student to file the appeal is not stated in the retrieved sources. Students should contact the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity immediately upon receiving a decision.. The purpose of the appeal process is to question the appropriateness of actions resulting from a Formal Resolution; it is not intended to provide a new hearing at a higher administrative level. Sanctions imposed by the Board remain in effect during the appeal process, though the Director may delay imposition in extenuating circumstances until the Provost renders a decision. For academic integrity appeals, the Provost serves as the appellate authority. A decision on the appeal must be made within 15 days after the Provost receives the appeal, with written notice delivered to the student and faculty member within five days of the decision. In conduct cases, the appeal goes to the Appeal Board or Appeal Administrator. In Title IX and sex-based misconduct cases, both the Respondent and the Complainant have appeal rights. Appeal grounds typically include significant new information that was not reasonably available at the time of the hearing (academic integrity code), violation of due process that would have had an impact on the board's decision (academic integrity code), violation of due process (code of student conduct, per unc policy 700.4.1), among others. Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.

Can I bring an advisor to my App State hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Student Conduct (2025-2026) and Academic Integrity Code (Policy 205), students have the right to obtain support, advice, or assistance from a support individual, procedural advisor, and/or an advisor (attorney or non-attorney). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate App State's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at App State the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a App State Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity proceeding?

In most cases, no. App State's proceedings follow university policy under Code of Student Conduct (2025-2026) and Academic Integrity Code (Policy 205), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands App State's specific procedures, the evidence standard, and how sanctions are assessed. An education advocate typically provides stronger, more targeted guidance than a general-practice attorney because the body of law here is university policy, not criminal or civil procedure. AdvocatED brings deep, specialized expertise in these exact processes at a fraction of a law firm's cost.

How does App State handle Title IX cases?

App State handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Access and Opportunity: Equal Opportunity (EO) / Office of Title IX Compliance. The Executive Director of Access and Opportunity serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator for students, employees, applicants, and visitors. The EO unit oversees university equal opportunity policies, responds to complaints of discrimination and harassment based on protected status, and conducts investigations. Faculty are mandatory reporters for sex-based misconduct. Reports can be filed at titleix.appstate.edu, by email at titleix@appstate.edu, or by phone at (828) 262-2144. Title IX and sex-based misconduct cases are handled separately from the general student conduct process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at App State, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at App State?

At App State, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: using, attempting to use, or giving unauthorized assistance or materials in an effort to gain academic advantage; plagiarism and unauthorized use of another's work; false information: providing false academic information with intent to deceive or mislead; unauthorized collaboration on assignments. Knowing which violation is alleged is the foundation of an effective defense, because the response strategy differs substantially based on whether the case involves plagiarism, AI use, exam cheating, collaboration, or a procedural technicality.

What are the key deadlines in a App State conduct case?

At App State, the most consequential deadlines are: Complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days of the alleged violation (extendable in extenuating circumstances); Student must respond to initial conduct notice within 5 days or a hold may be placed on their account; If referred to the Office of Student Conduct, student must respond within 3 days or case proceeds to Formal Resolution. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.