Old Dominion University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

ODU uses a 'pathway projects' model instead of traditional punitive sanctions, framing outcomes as developmental tools to help students reflect and grow

Behavioral status designations (Informal Warning, Formal Warning, Behavioral Probation, Deferred Suspension, Suspension, Expulsion) are distinct from pathway projects and carry separate reporting consequences

Graduate students found responsible for academic integrity violations are normally reviewed for suspension or expulsion, even for a first violation

Academic integrity transcript notations may be petitioned for removal under specific conditions, but are permanent when violations involved substantial premeditation

The University Accountability Board (UAB) can hear both academic and non-academic cases and requires at least three members for quorum

Student conduct proceedings are explicitly separate from criminal court proceedings; court outcomes have no bearing on conduct results

OSAAI retains records of suspension or expulsion permanently; records for behavioral probation or deferred suspension are retained for seven years; formal warnings or lower are not reported to third parties

ODU's Honor Pledge and Monarch Creed are formal integrity commitments expected of all students

The code applies to conduct occurring on and off campus and globally, from admission through graduation

Who handles academic misconduct cases at ODU?

Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity (OSAAI) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at ODU. Conduct Educators (staff) handle individual Student Accountability Meetings (SAMs). The University Accountability Board (UAB) is a panel of trained faculty, staff, and students with authority to investigate and resolve alleged violations, including academic integrity cases, and to impose pathway projects. At least three UAB members are required for quorum. All ODU students in Norfolk, surrounding cities, and globally, on and off campus, from admission through graduation including breaks and periods between sessions. Covers individual students and student organizations/groups.

What is the evidence standard at ODU?

ODU applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not that a violation occurred) under Code of Student Conduct (Board of Visitors Policy 1530). Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity 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 ODU conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Conduct, students facing a Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Receive written notice of alleged violations via official ODU email, including the alleged prohibited behavior and date/location of the incident; Attend a SAM or UAB meeting to present their perspective of the incident; Not be required to agree or disagree with a voluntary resolution at the time it is proposed; time to review before signing; Have an advisor who is a member of the ODU community (the advisor may not represent the student but may help them prepare); must notify OSAAI via signed Release of Information form no later than 3 business days before the meeting. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at ODU?

Any person, including ODU Police, Housing and Residence Life, students, faculty, staff, administrators, or community members, may report a suspected Code violation to OSAAI. For academic integrity, a faculty member may first meet with the student and attempt an Academic Integrity Voluntary Resolution (AIVR); if no agreement is reached, or if the faculty member chooses not to pursue an AIVR, the faculty member submits an Academic Integrity Incident Report to OSAAI. Once OSAAI receives a report, it reviews the matter and, if a potential violation is identified, sends the student a Student Accountability Meeting (SAM) notification letter to their official ODU email address, citing the relevant Code sections and the date, time, and location of the SAM.

What sanctions can ODU impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including informal warning: lowest-level status; not reported on behavioral record, formal warning: minor violation status; not reported on behavioral record, behavioral probation: indicates serious violation or two or more code violations; may restrict student leadership participation; reported to third parties for seven years with student consent, 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 ODU, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at ODU is Five (5) business days from the date the Pathway Plan was sent to the student's ODU email. Following a SAM or UAB hearing, students may appeal the Pathway Plan outcome. The appeal is administrative and entirely written; all information must be included in the official Appeal Submission Form. An Appeals Reviewer, designated by the Assistant Dean and not previously involved in the case, is assigned. Students who do not attend their conduct meeting are not eligible to appeal. Conduct conferences do not have an appeal process. For Title IX and discrimination cases, separate appeal procedures apply under University Policies 1008 and 1005 respectively. Appeal grounds typically include separation sanction is too severe, finding of responsibility is unreasonable given the evidence, perceived bias in the decision, 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 ODU hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Student Conduct, students have the right to have an advisor who is a member of the odu community (the advisor may not represent the student but may help them prepare); must notify osaai via signed release of information form no later than 3 business days before the meeting. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate ODU's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at ODU the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a ODU Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity proceeding?

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

ODU handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity (OIED), Title IX Coordinator: A. Kate Couch, 4111 Monarch Way Suite 106, Norfolk VA 23508, TitleIXCoordinator@odu.edu, 757-683-3141. ODU prohibits sex-based discrimination and sexual harassment under University Policy 1008 (Policy on Title IX and Sexual Misconduct). The Title IX Coordinator oversees investigations and resolutions. Deputy Title IX Coordinators serve in Academic Affairs, Athletics, Human Resources, SEES, and at the Virginia Health Sciences campus. Most employees are Responsible Employees required to report disclosures; confidential resources include licensed counselors, medical providers, and student health professionals acting within their clinical roles. Title IX and sexual misconduct cases follow separate appeal procedures under Policy 1008, distinct from the standard conduct appeal process. Retaliation against anyone who reports or participates in an investigation is separately prohibited. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at ODU, 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 ODU?

At ODU, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: using unauthorized materials, collaborating without permission, using ai tools (e.g., chatgpt, dall-e) without faculty authorization, misusing study aids (chegg, quizlet, course hero); plagiarism: using another person's language, ideas, or material without proper citation; recycling prior assignments without disclosure; fabrication: inventing, altering, or falsifying data, citations, or information in academic work; submitting false documentation; misrepresentation: misleading an instructor about how work was prepared, including undisclosed ai use, or substituting for another student. 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 ODU conduct case?

At ODU, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal of Pathway Plan: five (5) business days from the date the Pathway Plan was sent; Witness list submission: no later than 2 business days before the student's scheduled hearing; Advisor notification (Release of Information form): no later than 3 business days before the conduct meeting. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Accountability and Academic Integrity, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.