Bowling Green State University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic honesty violations are tracked separately from general student conduct violations

Lack of intent is not a defense against violation of academic honesty policy

Unawareness of policy is not a defense

Time limits are goals, not jurisdictional; delays do not void actions unless they deny fair hearing

No statute of limitations on graduate theses or dissertations; one calendar year limitation for other violations discovered after graduation

Academic honesty violations may be subject to legal action in addition to University sanctions

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Bowling Green?

Academic Honesty Committee (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Bowling Green. A quorum consists of three faculty and two students; in graduate student cases, only faculty with graduate appointments Appellate jurisdiction in all cases of academic dishonesty; conducts appeal hearings when hearing is granted; final appeal jurisdiction at Vice President for Academic Affairs level

What is the evidence standard at Bowling Green?

Bowling Green applies Preponderance of the evidence (for Code of Student Conduct violations); lack of intent is not a defense under Code of Academic Conduct (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Academic Honesty Committee 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 Bowling Green conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Academic Conduct, students facing a Academic Honesty Committee proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be accompanied and assisted by advisors from students, faculty, or staff; external advisors permitted in expulsion/dismissal/suspension cases; receive notice of decision and right to appeal to Academic Honesty Committee; procedural due process in University conduct action; Freedom of inquiry, speech and assembly. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Bowling Green?

For first offense cases with sanction less than suspension, instructor has original jurisdiction. For suspension, dismissal, expulsion, or second offense cases, the academic dean has original jurisdiction. Violations can be reported through the university's incident reporting system or directly to the Office of the Dean of Students.

What sanctions can Bowling Green impose for academic misconduct?

Academic Honesty Committee can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including grade penalty, suspension, dismissal, 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 Bowling Green, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Bowling Green is Seven days from date student receives notice of sanction. Student may appeal decision of instructor or academic dean to the Academic Honesty Committee within seven days of receiving notice of sanction. Written appeal must be sent to the coordinator of the Academic Honesty Committee in the Office of the Provost with a copy to the Division of Student Affairs/academic dean. If Academic Honesty Committee grants a hearing, it must begin within 15 days of receipt of written notice of appeal. Committee decision issued within two days of hearing. Final appeal jurisdiction rests with the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) for cases discovered before graduation. Appeal grounds typically include unverified: needs human research. 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 Bowling Green hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Academic Conduct, students have the right to be accompanied and assisted by advisors from students, faculty, or staff; external advisors permitted in expulsion/dismissal/suspension cases. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Bowling Green's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Bowling Green the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Bowling Green Academic Honesty Committee proceeding?

In most cases, no. Bowling Green's proceedings follow university policy under Code of Academic Conduct, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Bowling Green'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 Bowling Green handle Title IX cases?

Bowling Green handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Title IX Coordinator. Located at 207 Hayes Hall; telephone 419-372-8476; oversees sex discrimination complaints and sexual misconduct investigations; faculty are mandatory reporters required to report incidents of sexual misconduct and relationship violence to Title IX Coordinator; separate grievance procedures apply to Title IX matters Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Bowling Green, 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 Bowling Green?

At Bowling Green, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise; plagiarism: submitting substantial portions of the same academic work more than once without permission; impersonation: using another person as a substitute to take examination or quiz; alteration: altering score, grade, schedule change form or academic record; forging instructor or student signature. 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 Bowling Green conduct case?

At Bowling Green, the most consequential deadlines are: Seven days from notice of sanction to file written appeal of academic honesty violation; 15 days for Academic Honesty Committee hearing to begin after receipt of written appeal notice (when hearing is granted); Two days for Academic Honesty Committee to issue decision after hearing concludes. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Academic Honesty Committee, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.