East Carolina University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

ECU is a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System; authority for student conduct is delegated by the UNC Board of Governors to the Chancellor under Section 502D of the UNC Code

Academic integrity cases follow a two-track committee structure: the Academic Integrity Appeal Board (AIAB) hears appeals from instructor decisions, while the Academic Integrity Board (AIB) hears cases referred by OSRR involving additional sanctions; Student Conduct Board members also serve on the AIB

Expulsion cases ultimately reviewed by the ECU Board of Trustees; only the Chancellor may reduce an expulsion to suspension, and only on petition filed no sooner than five years after completion of the conduct case

Good Samaritan Regulation (REG11.30.02) provides a limited shield from OSRR consequences for students who seek emergency medical help for alcohol-related emergencies

OSRR may conduct hearings and proceedings through virtual platforms when necessary for health, safety, or administrative reasons

Students found responsible for AIVs may be required to complete educational modules or tasks in addition to academic and disciplinary sanctions

Who handles academic misconduct cases at ECU?

Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board (SCB / AIB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at ECU. The Student Conduct Board is comprised of students, faculty, and professional staff trained to hear suspension or expulsion cases. Members of the Student Conduct Board also serve on the Academic Integrity Board (AIB), which handles cases involving possible violations of the Academic Integrity Policy. The SCB hears Student Code of Conduct cases where suspension or expulsion is a possible outcome. The AIB hears academic integrity cases referred by OSRR, including cases with repeat violations or where suspension or expulsion may be recommended. An Academic Integrity Appeal Board (AIAB) hears student appeals from instructor decisions in AIV cases. The Student Conduct Process (REG11.30.01) applies to all students enrolled at ECU, including undergraduate, graduate, degree-seeking, non-degree-seeking, visiting, medical, dental, and professional students, as well as students studying abroad.

What is the evidence standard at ECU?

ECU applies Preponderance of evidence, meaning it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred. Formal rules of evidence do not apply to student conduct cases. under Student Conduct Process Regulation / University Regulation on Academic Integrity (REG11.30.01 (Student Conduct Process); REG02.07.11 (Academic Integrity)). Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board 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 ECU conduct proceeding?

Under Student Conduct Process Regulation / University Regulation on Academic Integrity, students facing a Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to a fair, impartial, and efficient process and evaluation of the complaint; be present at the meeting with the instructor of record and during the AIB hearing, if applicable; reasonable access to all relevant information gathered throughout the investigation pertinent to the alleged violation; submit a written statement or additional information, including after referral to the AIAB. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at ECU?

For student conduct matters, reports are received and assessed by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR). OSRR administers the student conduct process, which includes responding to alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct. For academic integrity violations (AIVs), the faculty member must notify the student in writing of a suspected AIV and request a meeting within ten (10) calendar days of becoming aware of the suspected violation. The student then has ten (10) calendar days to contact the faculty member and schedule a meeting. After the meeting, the instructor evaluates all available information under a preponderance of evidence standard and must inform both the student and OSRR of the outcome within ten (10) calendar days of the meeting.

What sanctions can ECU impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning: written notification that the student's behavior is inappropriate and must change, probation: period of university review; further violations may result in suspension or expulsion; served during active terms of enrollment, deferred suspension: used for offenses serious enough to warrant suspension where circumstances mitigate the offense, 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 ECU, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at ECU is Appeals of expulsion to the ECU Board of Trustees must be sent within ten (10) calendar days after notice of the Vice Chancellor's or Provost's decision is sent to the Respondent. New information requests may be submitted up to one (1) calendar year after the final imposition of sanctions.. For student conduct cases not involving expulsion, a Respondent may appeal to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. If the Vice Chancellor upholds the recommendation of expulsion, the student may further appeal to the ECU Board of Trustees. For academic integrity cases, students may appeal an instructor's decision to the Academic Integrity Appeal Board (AIAB). If the Provost upholds an AIB recommendation of suspension or expulsion, the student may appeal to the ECU Board of Trustees. New information appeals may be directed to the original decision-maker; a Complainant or Respondent has one (1) calendar year after the final imposition of sanctions to present new information. The final decision in suspension or expulsion cases is made within 45 calendar days after the hearing and shared with the Respondent in writing within ten (10) calendar days. Appeal grounds typically include violation of due process: the appealing party was not provided required notice or opportunity to be heard due to procedural errors or errors in interpretation of university policies so substantial as to effectively deny a fair hearing, material deviation from substantive and procedural standards: the decision reached was arbitrary or capricious, or there is a lack of information in the record that could support the decision or sanction, new information sufficient to alter a decision and not reasonably available at the time of the original 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.

Do I need a lawyer for a ECU Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board proceeding?

In most cases, no. ECU's proceedings follow university policy under Student Conduct Process Regulation / University Regulation on Academic Integrity, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands ECU'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 ECU handle Title IX cases?

ECU handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity (POSO), Equal Opportunity and Title IX Unit. Title IX Coordinator is LaKesha Alston Forbes, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief People Officer, reachable at EOIX@ecu.edu or (252) 328-6804, Building 283, 119 Cotanche Street, Greenville, NC 27858. The POSO Equal Opportunity and Title IX office handles reports of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, as well as discrimination based on sex and other protected classes. Governing regulation is ECU REG05.25.03 (Title IX Compliance and Resolution Regulation), approved August 13, 2020, reviewed July 2022. Title IX conduct is handled through procedures distinct from the general Student Conduct Process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at ECU, 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 ECU?

At ECU, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: unauthorized aid or assistance on any form of academic work; plagiarism: submitting work not one's own without proper attribution; falsification: falsifying or altering academic records or work; multiple submissions: submitting the same work for credit in more than one course without permission. 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 ECU conduct case?

At ECU, the most consequential deadlines are: Faculty must notify student of suspected AIV and request meeting within 10 calendar days of becoming aware of the suspected violation; Student has 10 calendar days to contact faculty and schedule the AIV meeting; Instructor must inform student and OSRR of meeting outcome within 10 calendar days of the meeting. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct Board / Academic Integrity Board, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.