Hunter College, CUNY Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Three-stage process: Academic Integrity Official investigation, mediation, then Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee hearing

Placeholder grades (PEN for mid-semester, INC for end-of-semester) hold final grades pending case resolution

Students may contest only the severity of grade sanctions after admitting to the violation, not the dishonesty allegation itself

Academic Integrity Official maintains confidential academic integrity files to identify repeat offenders

Generative AI use must comply with course-specific usage policies defined in syllabi

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Hunter College?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee (FSDC) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Hunter College. Five members: one faculty chairperson, two faculty members (or one faculty member and one Higher Education Officer series member), and two student members. Quorum requires the chairperson and any two members, one of whom must be a student. Resolves disputed allegations of academic dishonesty that are not resolved during meetings with the Academic Integrity Official or through mediation. The Dean of Students may pursue disciplinary sanctions for substantial violations, prior violations, or when academic sanctions were not executed.

What is the evidence standard at Hunter College?

Hunter College applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) under Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity and CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). 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 Hunter College conduct proceeding?

Under Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity and CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity, students facing a Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of charges with details of the alleged violation; sufficient time to prepare a defense; assistance in the defense; cross-examine witnesses and present 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 Hunter College?

Faculty member submits online Academic Integrity Form within 30 days of discovery of alleged academic dishonesty. Faculty should discuss the suspected violation with the student when feasible. The Office of Student Conduct contacts the student once a completed form is received.

What sanctions can Hunter College impose for academic misconduct?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic sanctions: failing or reduced grade on the academic exercise or in the course, disciplinary sanctions: warning notice, disciplinary sanctions determined by the dean of students based on violation severity. 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 Hunter College, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Hunter College is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Students found responsible by the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee may appeal the committee's judgment to the President's Office. Additionally, students may appeal final course grades through the college's grade appeal process, with findings sent to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Official. Appeal grounds typically include challenge to the committee's judgment on responsibility, appeal of the severity of the grade sanction imposed. 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 Hunter College Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding?

In most cases, no. Hunter College's proceedings follow university policy under Hunter College Policy on Academic Integrity and CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Hunter 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 Hunter College handle Title IX cases?

Hunter College handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Diversity and Compliance, Title IX Coordinator: John T. Rose (john.rose@hunter.cuny.edu, 212-650-3262, East Building 17th floor). Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Laura Nelson (212-396-6662, lne@hunter.cuny.edu). Additional Deputy: Michelle Blackman (212-396-6466, Michelle.Blackman@hunter.cuny.edu). General inquiries: TitleIX@hunter.cuny.edu. Title IX handles complaints of sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, gender harassment, and sexual violence. Investigations are prompt and conducted with privacy. Information is shared only with those who need to know to effectively investigate and resolve complaints. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Hunter 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 Hunter College?

At Hunter College, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: unauthorized use of material, information, notes, devices, or ai systems during academic exercises; plagiarism: presenting another's ideas, research, or writing as one's own without proper attribution; copying work from another person or generative ai system without authorization; uploading coursework to third-party platforms and commercial homework aggregators without authorization. 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 Hunter College conduct case?

At Hunter College, the most consequential deadlines are: Faculty must submit online Academic Integrity Form within 30 days of discovery of alleged dishonesty; Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee hearing scheduled within 30 days of receipt of the online form. 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.