Brown University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Brown cleanly separates academic conduct (Academic Code, administered by the Dean of the College) from non-academic conduct (Code of Student Conduct, administered by the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards), two distinct systems with two different offices

Only Suspension or Expulsion results in a permanent transcript notation, lesser sanctions do not appear on the transcript, a meaningful privacy protection

The 5-day appeal window is tight among peer institutions

Appeal grounds are narrowly drawn to new evidence and significant procedural error, sanction disproportionality alone is not a stand-alone appeal ground in Brown's general formulation

On appeal, the appeal officer may reduce the severity of the outcome or remand the matter, they do not typically increase sanctions, a student-favorable asymmetry

Brown explicitly publishes university restrictions as a category of sanction, housing reassignment, off-campus permission denial, leadership restrictions, as specifically defined sanction options

The Academic Code documents are consolidated as 'Principles of the Brown University Community' and are updated on an academic-year cadence (most recently 2024-25)

Brown Graduate School

Graduate School academic and conduct procedures

Graduate students face additional academic integrity and dissertation review through the Graduate School.

Warren Alpert Medical School

Medical School Medical Committee on Academic Standing and Professionalism (MCASP)

Medical students face academic progression and professionalism review through Alpert Medical School.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Brown?

Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic); Office of the Dean of the College (academic under the Academic Code) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Brown. Brown operates two distinct disciplinary systems for undergraduates. The Code of Student Conduct (non-academic) is administered by the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards. The Academic Code, which governs academic conduct, is administered through the Office of the Dean of the College and is separate from the Code of Student Conduct. The Code of Student Conduct covers non-academic violations and applies to all students. The Academic Code covers academic conduct for undergraduates and is administered through the Dean of the College.

What is the evidence standard at Brown?

Brown applies Preponderance of the evidence (Brown's standard for Code of Student Conduct and Academic Code findings) under Brown University Code of Student Conduct; Academic Code (Principles of the Brown University Community, 2024-25 update). Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic); Office of the Dean of the College (academic under the Academic Code) 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 Brown conduct proceeding?

Under Brown University Code of Student Conduct; Academic Code (Principles of the Brown University Community, 2024-25 update), students facing a Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic); Office of the Dean of the College (academic under the Academic Code) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged violation and the applicable Code; an advisor during proceedings; present evidence and respond to allegations; a hearing or review meeting under the applicable Code. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Brown?

Allegations of non-academic misconduct are reported to the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards, which administers the Code of Student Conduct. Academic misconduct allegations are handled through the Office of the Dean of the College under the separate Academic Code. The appropriate office notifies the student and schedules a resolution meeting or review.

What sanctions can Brown impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic); Office of the Dean of the College (academic under the Academic Code) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, disciplinary probation, university restrictions, 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 Brown, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Brown is 5 days of notification of the hearing/review meeting outcome. Within five days of notification of the hearing/review meeting outcome, the respondent may appeal in writing, setting out the reasons for the appeal. Appeals are typically considered if there is new, relevant evidence that was not reasonably available during the original hearing, or if a significant procedural error may have impacted the decision. If the appeal officer determines that the appeal has merit, they may reduce the severity or terms of an outcome or may remand the matter to an appropriate hearing officer or body. Appeal grounds typically include new, relevant evidence that was not reasonably available during the original hearing, significant procedural error that may have impacted the decision. 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 Brown hearing?

Yes. Under Brown University Code of Student Conduct; Academic Code (Principles of the Brown University Community, 2024-25 update), students have the right to an advisor during proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Brown's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Brown the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Brown Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Brown's proceedings follow university policy under Brown University Code of Student Conduct; Academic Code (Principles of the Brown University Community, 2024-25 update), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Brown'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 Brown handle Title IX cases?

Brown handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Brown University Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity / Title IX Coordinator. Sex-based misconduct and Title IX complaints are handled through the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity under Brown's separate Title IX policies, not through the Code of Student Conduct or Academic Code. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Brown, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does Brown's Graduate School have a separate conduct process?

Yes. Brown Graduate School at Brown is handled through Graduate School academic and conduct procedures, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Graduate students face additional academic integrity and dissertation review through the Graduate School. This matters because professional school findings carry licensure implications, and the remediation and appeal pathways are different from the undergraduate process.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Brown?

At Brown, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism on written work; cheating on exams or assessments; unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments; fabrication of data, sources, or research results. 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 Brown conduct case?

At Brown, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal: 5 days of notification of the hearing/review meeting outcome. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards (non-academic); Office of the Dean of the College (academic under the Academic Code), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.