Georgia Institute of Technology Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Georgia Tech gives students a procedural choice between a single-officer adjudication (Student Conduct Administrator) and a panel-based adjudication (Student Conduct Panel), and the student can state their preference

The Director of Student Integrity, not the hearing body itself, renders the final decision even when a Panel has heard the case, making the Director a central figure in every outcome

Georgia Tech uses a distinct concept of 'Supplementary Requirements' layered on top of Sanctions, educational or restorative conditions that accompany the core penalty

Appeals to the Institute President are available for suspension/expulsion outcomes, with the AVP for Student Life & Dean of Students as the typical designee, making that position's decision the final institutional word

The 5-business-day appeal window is tight and firm, among the shorter appeal windows at major research universities

Sanctions ladder is published in student-facing language: 'zero on the assignment → F in the course → suspension → expulsion'

Georgia Tech Graduate Studies

Office of Graduate Studies academic standing review

Graduate students face academic progression and dissertation-level integrity review through the Office of Graduate Studies in addition to OSI adjudication.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Georgia Tech?

Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel (OSI) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Georgia Tech. Cases are adjudicated either by a Student Conduct Administrator (single decision-maker) or a Student Conduct Panel. The Respondent may state a preference for which body hears the case. The Student Conduct Panel is authorized by the Institute to determine whether the Respondent has violated the Code and may recommend sanctions to the Director of Student Integrity. All alleged violations of Georgia Tech's Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct. In non-academic cases, the Panel recommends to the Director of Student Integrity. For academic misconduct specifically, the Honor Code governs and OSI administers.

What is the evidence standard at Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech applies undefined under Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct (Academic Honor Code (Policy Library); Student Code of Conduct (Policy Library, Student Life)). Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel 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 Georgia Tech conduct proceeding?

Under Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct, students facing a Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to review the Student Code of Conduct and Academic Honor Code before any meetings; prepare documentation and identify witnesses for the proceeding; have an advisor present at proceedings; request that a different Student Conduct Administrator adjudicate if bias is perceived. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Georgia Tech?

Any person may file a complaint against a student for an alleged violation by submitting an Academic Conduct Referral Form. OSI reviews the referral and notifies the student. The student may choose whether to have the case adjudicated by the Student Conduct Administrator (expedited single-officer process) or by a Student Conduct Panel. Students can request that a different Student Conduct Administrator hear the case if bias is perceived.

What sanctions can Georgia Tech impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including zero on the assignment in question, reduced or failing grade in the course, supplementary requirements, 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 Georgia Tech, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Georgia Tech is 5 business days from delivery of the decision. The appeal must be addressed to the appropriate Appellate Officer and delivered to the Office of Student Integrity within five business days of the delivery of the decision. For outcomes where the sanction includes suspension or expulsion, students may appeal to the Institute President. The President's designee is normally the Associate Vice President for Student Life & Dean of Students, whose decision is the final decision of the Institute. Appeal grounds typically include whether the original hearing was conducted fairly and in conformity with prescribed procedures, whether there was sufficient evidence to support the decision, whether the sanctions and supplementary requirements imposed were appropriate for the violation found, among others. 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 Georgia Tech hearing?

Yes. Under Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct, students have the right to have an advisor present at proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Georgia Tech's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Georgia Tech the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Georgia Tech Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel proceeding?

In most cases, no. Georgia Tech's proceedings follow university policy under Georgia Tech Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Georgia Tech'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 Georgia Tech handle Title IX cases?

Georgia Tech handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Georgia Tech Office of Equity and Compliance Programs (Title IX Coordinator). Title IX and sex-based misconduct matters are handled through the Office of Equity and Compliance Programs under Georgia Tech's separate Title IX policy, not through the Academic Honor Code or general OSI conduct process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Georgia Tech, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does Georgia Tech's Graduate Studies have a separate conduct process?

Yes. Georgia Tech Graduate Studies at Georgia Tech is handled through Office of Graduate Studies academic standing review, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Graduate students face academic progression and dissertation-level integrity review through the Office of Graduate Studies in addition to OSI adjudication. This matters because professional school findings carry licensure implications, and the remediation and appeal pathways are different from the undergraduate process.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Georgia Tech?

At Georgia Tech, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating on assignments, exams, or projects; plagiarism; unauthorized collaboration on individual work; fabrication of data or results. 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 Georgia Tech conduct case?

At Georgia Tech, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal filing: within 5 business days of delivery of the decision; Case resolution notification to faculty: within 5 business days of student receipt if no appeal occurs. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Integrity (OSI), Student Conduct Administrator or Student Conduct Panel, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.