The City College of New York, CUNY Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic integrity violations can be resolved at multiple levels: student admits and does not contest sanction (resolved by instructor and Academic Integrity Officer); student contests the academic sanction (appealed through college grade appeal process); student denies allegation (heard by Academic Integrity Committee or FSDC)

Mediation available as alternative to formal hearing

Comprehensive CUNY-wide system applies consistently across all CUNY colleges, including cross-campus review of academic integrity files for repeat offenders

Confidential academic integrity files maintained for identified violators

Students can be prevented from withdrawing during pending conduct proceedings; notation placed on transcript

Who handles academic misconduct cases at City College?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee (FSDC) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at City College. Three members: one chairperson appointed by the president, one faculty member selected by lot from a panel of six elected annually, and one student member selected by lot from a panel of six elected annually. A quorum consists of the chair and any two members. Hears student conduct cases for violations of the Henderson Rules and code of conduct; processes disciplinary charges under Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws; may also hear academic integrity violation cases if the college opts to use the FSDC for fact-finding when a student denies alleged academic dishonesty.

What is the evidence standard at City College?

City College applies Preponderance of the evidence under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Article XV of CUNY Bylaws (Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures); Henderson Rules of Student Conduct (Article XV, Section 15.1-15.6). Faculty-Student Disciplinary 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 City College conduct proceeding?

Under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Article XV of CUNY Bylaws (Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures); Henderson Rules of Student Conduct, students facing a Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of charges; appear before the hearing committee; present witness statements and evidence; question witnesses and college evidence. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at City College?

For academic integrity violations, a faculty member who suspects academic dishonesty shall review the facts and circumstances with the student when feasible. If the faculty member concludes there has been academic dishonesty affecting the student's final course grade, they report the incident on a Faculty Report Form to the college's Academic Integrity Officer. For general conduct violations, a complaint is filed and a preliminary investigation is conducted by the chief student affairs officer or designee within thirty calendar days.

What sanctions can City College impose for academic misconduct?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic sanctions: reduced or failing grades on assignment or course, admonition/warning: formal warning that further misconduct will result in more severe action, disciplinary probation: exclusion from participation in privileges or extracurricular activities for a specified period, 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 City College, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at City College is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. A student found responsible may appeal the decision to the college president. Appeals must be based on specific grounds. The college president issues a decision within fifteen calendar days of receiving the appeal or papers in opposition, whichever is longer. In limited circumstances, an appeal may be taken to the Board of Trustees. Appeal grounds typically include substantial procedural error that materially affected the outcome, newly discovered evidence that could substantially affect the outcome, the sanction imposed is substantially disproportionate to the violation. Appeals that succeed are usually the ones that ground each argument in the record and the specific policy language, not emotional or general objections.

Do I need a lawyer for a City College Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding?

In most cases, no. City College's proceedings follow university policy under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity; Article XV of CUNY Bylaws (Student Disciplinary Policy and Procedures); Henderson Rules of Student Conduct, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands City College'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 City College handle Title IX cases?

City College handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Compliance and Diversity / Title IX Coordinator: Sheryl Konigsberg, Esq.. Chief Compliance and Diversity Officer serves as Title IX Coordinator and ADA/504 Director. Located in Shepard Hall, Room 109 A-D. Phone: 212-650-6310. Email: skonigsberg@ccny.cuny.edu. The Title IX office handles sexual misconduct, harassment, stalking, domestic violence, and discrimination cases. City College complies with New York's Enough is Enough law and maintains separate procedures for Title IX sexual misconduct cases. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at City College, 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 City College?

At City College, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating (unauthorized use of materials, notes, devices during exams); plagiarism (using others' words without proper attribution); use of artificial intelligence or chatgpt without authorization; altering or doctoring graded work for re-evaluation. 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 City College conduct case?

At City College, the most consequential deadlines are: Faculty must review suspected violation with student when feasible before reporting; Preliminary investigation in general conduct cases must conclude within 30 calendar days of complaint filing; Notice of hearing charges must be given at least 5 business days in advance (unless student consents to earlier hearing). Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.