California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic dishonesty handled initially by instructor in classroom with grade reduction, then reported to OSRR for broader pattern analysis and potential additional disciplinary outcomes

Dual track: academic response from instructor plus disciplinary investigation by OSRR for academic dishonesty cases

Mandatory reporting of all suspected academic dishonesty to OSRR by faculty (per AS-722-10 and Executive Order 1098)

OSRR maintains records of all academic dishonesty reports to track student behavioral patterns

Students receiving grade reduction for academic dishonesty ineligible to withdraw from course, receive CR/NC grading, or use grade forgiveness

Sexual misconduct handled separately through Title IX/Civil Rights & Compliance Office investigation before OSRR disciplinary investigation

Educational focus: student conduct process designed to educate students about behavior impacts rather than purely punitive approach

Investigations can take up to 40 working days to complete

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Cal Poly SLO?

Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities (OSRR) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Cal Poly SLO. Hearing Officer appointed by OSRR conducts closed, confidential proceedings. OSRR Director oversees initial disciplinary conference. Student conduct administrator presents findings. Governs all student disciplinary matters including academic dishonesty and behavioral misconduct under CSU Standards for Student Conduct (Title 5, Section 41301). OSRR exercises jurisdiction over recognized student organizations.

What is the evidence standard at Cal Poly SLO?

Cal Poly SLO applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not), not beyond a reasonable doubt under CSU Standards for Student Conduct and Executive Order 1098 (Title 5, Section 41301; Academic Senate Resolution AS-722-10). Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities 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 Cal Poly SLO conduct proceeding?

Under CSU Standards for Student Conduct and Executive Order 1098, students facing a Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to confer with advisor at any stage in process; advisor may be fellow student, friend, family member, or University-appointed advisor; notice of charges through charge letter; Opportunity to be heard at disciplinary conference and/or hearing; have advisor accompany student and conduct administrator to meetings (advisor role limited to observing, consulting, providing support; advisor cannot speak on behalf of student). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Cal Poly SLO?

OSRR receives report of alleged misconduct (from faculty, students, or staff). OSRR conducts initial investigation. If supporting evidence exists, OSRR notifies student via charge letter emailed to Cal Poly email address. Student directed to schedule meeting with student conduct administrator.

What sanctions can Cal Poly SLO impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including written warning or reprimand, required special counseling or academic values seminar, special paper or research assignments, 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 Cal Poly SLO, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Cal Poly SLO is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. For general conduct cases under CSU Executive Order 1098, the campus President's decision is final at the campus level, and a student may file a written appeal with the CSU Chancellor's Office within ten working days of the President's decision letter, on grounds such as procedural error, new evidence not reasonably available at the hearing, or a disproportionate sanction. For academic dishonesty, a student may first contest the finding of cheating or plagiarism through OSRR and may appeal a related grade reduction to the Fairness Board, which makes a recommendation to the Provost. Appeal grounds typically include for academic dishonesty: to contest instructor determination and/or penalty; grounds include disputing whether cheating/plagiarism actually occurred. 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 Cal Poly SLO hearing?

Yes. Under CSU Standards for Student Conduct and Executive Order 1098, students have the right to confer with advisor at any stage in process; advisor may be fellow student, friend, family member, or university-appointed advisor. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Cal Poly SLO's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Cal Poly SLO the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Cal Poly SLO Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities proceeding?

In most cases, no. Cal Poly SLO's proceedings follow university policy under CSU Standards for Student Conduct and Executive Order 1098, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Cal Poly SLO'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 Cal Poly SLO handle Title IX cases?

Cal Poly SLO handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Civil Rights & Compliance Office/Title IX; also referred to as Office of Equal Opportunity. Title IX Coordinator is Kaitlyn Blakey, Director, Civil Rights & Title IX Coordinator/DHR Administrator (per Civil Rights & Compliance Office source). Sexual misconduct cases first investigated by Title IX investigator; OSRR then conducts disciplinary investigation based on Title IX findings. Standard of proof in Title IX/OSRR cases is preponderance of evidence (more likely than not). Separate process from criminal proceedings. Contact: crco@calpoly.edu or 805-756-1400 for Title IX Officer. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Cal Poly SLO, 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 Cal Poly SLO?

At Cal Poly SLO, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating (obtaining credit by dishonest means, having another take exam, unauthorized collaboration, resubmitting prior work without instructor notification, presenting falsified information); plagiarism (using ideas or work of another without proper attribution); academic dishonesty; alcohol and drug violations. 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 Cal Poly SLO conduct case?

At Cal Poly SLO, the most consequential deadlines are: Investigations completed within 40 working days; Hearing Officer submits written report within 10 days of hearing to University President or designee; Academic dishonesty appeal to OSRR deadline: UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.