Morgan State University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

The Code of Student Conduct expressly does not govern academic dishonesty; academic misconduct is handled under a separate Board of Regents policy (Policy on Academic Integrity) and adjudicated through departmental Academic Integrity Committees, not the OSRR.

The OSRR uses a restorative, educational framework branded as B.E.A.R. P.R.I.D.E. (Build an Environment of Accountability and Responsibility on Principles of Respect, Integrity, Decency and Ethics).

Conduct case management and notifications are conducted through the Guardian student portal.

Parental/guardian notification is permitted under FERPA for students under 21 years of age following a conduct determination.

Disciplinary records of students found responsible are retained for a minimum of three years and may be reported to third parties in accordance with applicable law; records are voided if the student is found not responsible.

Morgan State is Maryland's Preeminent Urban Public Research University and a historically Black university (HBCU), governed by the Board of Regents under Title 14 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Morgan State?

Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Morgan State. The OSRR is staffed by a Chief Judicial Officer, Conduct Officers, and an Assistant Director. Formal hearings are presided over by a Conduct Board that includes student members serving as a panel. Final decisions of all judicial boards are by majority vote of the members present and voting; a tie vote results in a finding of non-responsibility in an original proceeding. The Code applies to all students on campus, off campus, online, and at University-associated premises at all times. Student organizations are also subject to the Code.

What is the evidence standard at Morgan State?

Morgan State applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not); the burden of proof is on the University under Code of Student Conduct (for behavioral misconduct); Policy on Faculty, Student and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity (for academic dishonesty, housed in the University Catalog and adopted as a Board of Regents policy) (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities 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 Morgan State conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Conduct (for behavioral misconduct); Policy on Faculty, Student and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity (for academic dishonesty, housed in the University Catalog and adopted as a Board of Regents policy), students facing a Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the charges and the evidence to be used at the hearing; access information and evidence that will be used during the conduct hearing; remain silent; silence will not be interpreted as an admission of responsibility; bring an advisor (who may not speak or present the case, but may advise the student during the proceeding). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Morgan State?

Incidents are reported to the OSRR by students, faculty, staff, or Morgan State University Police Department (MSUPD) via an online Incident Report Form. The OSRR reviews all allegations and reports to determine judicial disposition, assigns the case to a Conduct Officer, and notifies the charged student by email and through the Guardian student portal.

What sanctions can Morgan State impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, probation, fines, 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 Morgan State, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Morgan State is 10 calendar days after receiving the Notice of Decision. Appeals submitted after the 10-day maximum will be denied and the original decision will stand. When the Vice President for Student Affairs issues the appealed decision, any further appeal to the Chief of Staff must be filed within ten (10) business days of receipt of that letter.. Only determinations resulting in suspension or expulsion (or dissolution/suspension of a student organization) qualify for appeal under the Code. Appeals go to the Vice President for Student Affairs. If the Vice President for Student Affairs served as the original trier of fact or hearing officer, the appeal goes instead to the President's Chief of Staff or designee. The appellate body gives deference to the determinations of the original hearing body. Any decision altering the Conduct Board's determination must be accompanied by a brief written opinion. For academic dishonesty cases, the departmental Academic Integrity Committee (or Academic Grievance Committee) hears initial appeals, with a further appeal available to the Department Chair. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error, new evidence not available at the time of the original hearing, disproportionate or inappropriate sanctions. 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 Morgan State hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Student Conduct (for behavioral misconduct); Policy on Faculty, Student and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity (for academic dishonesty, housed in the University Catalog and adopted as a Board of Regents policy), students have the right to bring an advisor (who may not speak or present the case, but may advise the student during the proceeding). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Morgan State's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Morgan State the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Morgan State Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities proceeding?

In most cases, no. Morgan State's proceedings follow university policy under Code of Student Conduct (for behavioral misconduct); Policy on Faculty, Student and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity (for academic dishonesty, housed in the University Catalog and adopted as a Board of Regents policy), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Morgan State'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 Morgan State handle Title IX cases?

Morgan State handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Diversity and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) — Title IX Coordinator. The Office of Diversity and EEO is charged with day-to-day implementation of the University's nondiscrimination policies and coordination of all Title IX-related policies, procedures, training, and prevention efforts. The current interim Title IX Coordinator is Reagan C. Coss, J.D., Interim Assistant Vice President, Diversity and EEO, located in Tyler Hall, Suite 503. Sexual misconduct covered includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, relationship violence, stalking, gender harassment, sexual coercion, sexual exploitation, and sexual intimidation. Complaints may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator, and reporters may request confidentiality or that no formal action be taken. Confidential on-campus resources include the University Counseling Center and the Chapel. The University also maintains separate Student Sexual Harassment Procedures and Student Prohibited Conduct Procedures. Title IX training materials for Coordinators, Investigators, Hearing Officers, and Appellate Officers are publicly posted per 34 C.F.R. 106.45(b)(10)(D). Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Morgan State, 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 Morgan State?

At Morgan State, the most frequently cited violations include: physical assault or battery; harassment or discriminatory conduct based on race, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics; hazing (in any form); possession or consumption of alcohol in residence halls or on campus. 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 Morgan State conduct case?

At Morgan State, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal of suspension or expulsion: must be filed within 10 calendar days of receiving the Notice of Decision; late appeals are denied; Further appeal to Chief of Staff (when VP for Student Affairs was original trier of fact): must be filed within 10 business days of receipt of the VP's decision letter; Academic Grievance Committee recommendation: issued within seven days of the committee meeting. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.