Marquette University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Marquette is a private Catholic, Jesuit university in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, whose Honor Code is grounded in the Jesuit mission of developing the whole person and fostering personal integrity as a spiritual and ethical value.

All incoming undergraduate, graduate, and health science professional students are required to complete a mandatory online Academic Integrity tutorial in their first semester or face a registration hold.

Incoming students recite the Honor Pledge at New Student Convocation.

An Expedited Review option is available for first-time, non-egregious academic misconduct offenses, allowing cases to resolve without a full hearing if the student accepts responsibility within two business days.

The Academic Integrity Council uses standardized sanctioning guidelines applied consistently across all colleges to promote equity in outcomes.

The letter of reprimand is an internal-only document not visible on the student's transcript, but students must disclose misconduct findings on law school, medical school, and some government job applications.

The Student Conduct Code expressly allows the university to investigate and take action for off-campus conduct, including criminal activity, harassment, and behavior of students studying abroad.

Health Science Professional programs follow separate hearing board procedures and are ineligible for the Expedited Review process.

University disciplinary proceedings may proceed independently of, simultaneously with, or after civil or criminal proceedings.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Marquette?

Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct) (AIC / SCRB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Marquette. The Academic Integrity Council is composed of dean's representatives, faculty, students, and staff from each college, led by the Academic Integrity Director. Hearing Boards drawn from the AIC consist of two faculty members, two students, and the dean's office designee from the student's college, with the dean's designee serving as chair. The Student Conduct Review Board, used for non-academic conduct cases, is composed of up to nine individuals who may include students, faculty, and administrators, chaired by a non-voting student or conduct administrator. The AIC hears all academic misconduct cases (Honor Code violations) for undergraduate and graduate students. The Student Conduct Review Board hears non-academic Standards of Conduct violations. The Office of Student Development administers the general conduct process under the authority of the dean of students, who reports to the vice president for student affairs.

What is the evidence standard at Marquette?

Marquette applies Preponderance of the evidence, meaning it is 'more likely than not' that the student violated the policy. This standard applies to both the Academic Integrity Hearing Board and the Student Conduct Review Board. under Marquette University Honor Code and Academic Misconduct Policy (published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins) / Student Conduct Code (Standards of Conduct) (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct) 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 Marquette conduct proceeding?

Under Marquette University Honor Code and Academic Misconduct Policy (published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins) / Student Conduct Code (Standards of Conduct), students facing a Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be present throughout the hearing but not during deliberation; remain silent and not testify against oneself, though if silence is maintained the case is decided on the evidence presented; object to a Hearing Board member for reasons of official or personal conflict of interest, submitted to the Academic Integrity Director at least two working days prior to the hearing; know all evidence and testimony presented and to view pertinent materials supporting the case. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Marquette?

For academic misconduct, a faculty member or other reporter submits an Academic Misconduct Report Form to the Office of Academic Integrity. The Office sends a letter of acknowledgment to the reporting party and assigns an Investigative Officer, who is a faculty member of the Academic Integrity Council. The Investigative Officer contacts the student, the reporting party, and the faculty member involved to conduct interviews, then submits a report with recommendations to the Academic Integrity Director within six business days of assignment. For general conduct, an Incident Report is received by the Office of Student Development, reviewed for possible Standards of Conduct violations, and a notification letter with specific charges is sent to the student.

What sanctions can Marquette impose for academic misconduct?

Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including letter of reprimand, course-level penalty ranging from assignment rewrite to a zero on the assignment or a failing grade in the course., positive actions, 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 Marquette, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Marquette is Academic integrity: five calendar days from the hearing for appeals to the AIC Executive Committee; five business days from notification of the hearing board's decision for appeals to the Office of the Provost (suspension/expulsion only). General conduct: five working days after receipt of written notification of the disciplinary decision.. For academic integrity cases, students found responsible may appeal to the Academic Integrity Executive Committee (AIC Executive Committee) within five calendar days of the hearing. The AIC Executive Committee reviews the appeal and makes a determination within five business days of receipt; its decision is final. For campus-wide sanctions such as suspension or expulsion, a separate appeal to the Office of the Provost must be filed within five business days of notification of the hearing board's decision; the provost or designee may consult with the student, faculty, and administrators. For general conduct cases, students have five working days after receipt of written notification to file an appeal with the Office of Student Development. Administrative appeals (non-separation cases) are reviewed by the dean of students or designee. In suspension or exclusion cases, the student may request a Panel Appeal reviewed by a panel chaired by the dean of students or designee. Appeals are not re-hearings and are not granted solely on disagreement with the original decision. Sanctions are not implemented while an appeal is pending unless emergency action was taken. Appeal grounds typically include denial of a fair hearing (procedural error, or student not afforded rights as outlined in the student handbook)., insufficient evidence to establish responsibility (hearing officer did not meet preponderance of evidence standard)., new information available that was not available at the time of the hearing that affects the finding of responsibility., 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 Marquette hearing?

Yes. Under Marquette University Honor Code and Academic Misconduct Policy (published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins) / Student Conduct Code (Standards of Conduct), students have the right to have a support person present at the academic integrity hearing, provided the support person is disclosed at least two business days before the hearing and does not actively participate in or speak during the hearing. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Marquette's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Marquette the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Marquette Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Marquette's proceedings follow university policy under Marquette University Honor Code and Academic Misconduct Policy (published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletins) / Student Conduct Code (Standards of Conduct), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Marquette'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 Marquette handle Title IX cases?

Marquette handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Title IX and Student Civil Rights Compliance. As of August 1, 2024, the office expanded its scope beyond sex discrimination to cover discrimination and harassment based on all protected characteristics when students are involved. The Title IX Coordinator and Director of Civil Rights Compliance is Kristen Kreple, J.D., located in Alumni Memorial Union, Room 437, reachable at (414) 288-3151 or kristen.kreple@marquette.edu. The office is supported by three Title IX Deputy Coordinators covering students, intercollegiate athletics, and employees. All university employees except designated confidential resources are mandatory reporters. Confidential resources include Advocacy Services (available 24/7 at (414) 288-5244) and the Marquette University Counseling Center. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Marquette, 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 Marquette?

At Marquette, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: copying from others during examinations, tests, quizzes, or assignments; plagiarism: submitting another person's work as one's own without proper attribution; obtaining or attempting to obtain an assignment, exam, quiz, or answer key without authorization; unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments. 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 Marquette conduct case?

At Marquette, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic integrity tutorial: must be completed by October 1 for fall admissions and March 1 for spring admissions, or a registration hold is placed; Expedited Review response: student must accept or reject the sanction within two business days of receiving the offer; Hearing board objection: student must notify the Academic Integrity Director of any objection to a board member at least two working days before the hearing. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Academic Integrity Council (academic misconduct) / Student Conduct Review Board (general conduct), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.