Lehman College, CUNY Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic Integrity Officer (Dean of Students) plays a central role in determining whether to seek disciplinary sanctions beyond academic sanctions

Confidential academic integrity files are maintained for each student to identify repeat offenders

Separate procedures for academic versus disciplinary sanctions, with different levels of due process

Temporary emergency suspension authority available for the Chancellor, president, or any dean within 7 school days

Cases distinguish between 'disciplinary' findings (questions of fact) and 'academic' findings (questions of instructor's expert judgment)

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Lehman College?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Lehman College. The committee investigates, conciliates, or hears evidence on cases in which disciplinary charges are brought under Article 15 of the CUNY Bylaws Hears cases involving academic integrity violations when students deny guilt or when disciplinary sanctions are sought; operates under Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws

What is the evidence standard at Lehman College?

Lehman College applies Preponderance of evidence (as referenced in the discrimination complaint process) under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and Lehman College Academic Integrity Policy (Article 15.3 of the CUNY Board of Trustees Bylaws). 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 Lehman College conduct proceeding?

Under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and Lehman College Academic Integrity Policy, students facing a Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to receive written notice of charges and an opportunity to be heard and present evidence; have the matter resolved through informal discussion with faculty member when possible; appeal grade through the college's grade appeals process; have a representative present during proceedings. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Lehman College?

Faculty members report suspected academic dishonesty to the college's Academic Integrity Officer (Dr. Conrad Walker, Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs and Dean of Students) using a Faculty Report Form. The officer may then determine whether to seek disciplinary sanctions in addition to academic sanctions.

What sanctions can Lehman College impose for academic misconduct?

Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic sanctions: failing or otherwise reduced grades, disciplinary sanctions: admonition, temporary suspension pending a hearing within not more than seven school days in emergency or extraordinary circumstances. 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 Lehman College, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Lehman College is Three weeks of receiving written notification (for graduate appeals to department chair); within 20 calendar days of receiving the appeal (Appeals Committee issues written decision); if any portion of the three-week appeal period falls outside the academic semester, the timeline extends to include the first three weeks of the following regular semester. For academic sanctions: student may appeal through the college's grade appeals process. For disciplinary findings: student may appeal the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee's decision. Graduate students may appeal the instructor's sanction in writing to the department chair within three weeks of written notification; further appeal goes to the Senate Committee on Graduate Studies, whose decision is final. Appeal grounds typically include student denies guilt or contests the particular grade awarded by the faculty member, student admits to alleged academic dishonesty but contests the particular academic 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.

Can I bring an advisor to my Lehman College hearing?

Yes. Under CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and Lehman College Academic Integrity Policy, students have the right to have a representative present during proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Lehman College's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Lehman College the rules are set out in the governing policy.

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

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

Lehman College handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Compliance and Diversity and Title IX Coordinator/EEO Investigator Office. Title IX Sexual Harassment complaints use a separate reporting form and process. Sexual Misconduct allegations are adjudicated in accordance with the Policy on Sexual Misconduct. The Title IX Coordinator refers matters to be adjudicated after investigation determines probable cause. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Lehman 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 Lehman College?

At Lehman College, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: unauthorized use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices, artificial intelligence systems, or communication during an academic exercise; plagiarism: presenting ideas, research, or writing of another person or ai tool as your own without attribution; obtaining unfair advantage: any action that gives a student unfair advantage over another student; unauthorized collaboration on take-home assignments or examinations. 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 Lehman College conduct case?

At Lehman College, the most consequential deadlines are: Graduate student appeal of instructor's sanction to department chair: within three weeks of written notification; Appeals Committee written decision: within 20 calendar days of receiving the appeal; Emergency or temporary suspension hearing: within not more than seven school days. 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.