Pace University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Multi-tiered resolution system (Administrative, Informal, Formal, Non-Admission)

Academic Conduct Committee with seven-member quorum for serious academic integrity violations

Self-referral option for students admitting academic misconduct with potential mitigation

Faculty possess full authority over classroom conduct under Code

Case Resolution Facilitators (CRFs) lead investigations and informal process

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Pace?

Office of Community Standards and Compliance (OCS) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Pace. Case Resolution Facilitators (CRFs) conduct investigations and informal resolutions; Formal Resolution hearings involve decision-makers (CRFs or hearing officers) Student conduct violations under the Guiding Principles of Conduct and Guide to Residential Living

What is the evidence standard at Pace?

Pace applies Preponderance of the evidence under Pace University Academic Integrity Code and Student Handbook (Guiding Principles of Conduct) (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Office of Community Standards and Compliance 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 Pace conduct proceeding?

Under Pace University Academic Integrity Code and Student Handbook (Guiding Principles of Conduct), students facing a Office of Community Standards and Compliance proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be informed of charges; present evidence and defense; request Formal Resolution hearing for separation-level cases; cross-examine witnesses in Formal Resolution. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Pace?

Cases initiated through reports to instructors, proctors, or the Chair of the Academic Conduct Committee (for academic integrity); general conduct violations reported to Office of Community Standards

What sanctions can Pace impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Community Standards and Compliance can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including admonition, restitution, suspension from university, 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 Pace, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Pace is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. For academic integrity violations, students dissatisfied with Direct Resolution may follow Student Grievance Procedure or Grade Appeal Procedure. Students may appeal to the Provost for Academic Conduct Committee decisions. Administrative and Non-Admission Resolutions cannot be appealed once agreed upon. Formal and Informal Resolutions decisions and sanctions may be appealed. Appeal grounds typically include dissatisfaction with outcome, unjust accusation, improper sanctions, 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 Pace hearing?

Yes. Under Pace University Academic Integrity Code and Student Handbook (Guiding Principles of Conduct), students have the right to have an advisor present (non-disruptive). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Pace's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Pace the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Pace Office of Community Standards and Compliance proceeding?

In most cases, no. Pace's proceedings follow university policy under Pace University Academic Integrity Code and Student Handbook (Guiding Principles of Conduct), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Pace'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 Pace handle Title IX cases?

Pace handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Executive Director of Title IX Compliance and Title IX Coordinator. Bernard Dufresne, (212) 346-1310, 163 William Street, 10th Floor, Room 107, New York, NY 10038. Handles inquiries on Title IX, ADA, Section 504, and Title VI; sex-based misconduct matters are separate from general conduct process Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Pace, 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 Pace?

At Pace, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism; unauthorized collaboration; cheating on examinations; submission of others' work as own. 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 Pace conduct case?

At Pace, the most consequential deadlines are: Summary suspension challenged within 10 business days (residential conduct matters); UNVERIFIED: needs human research (most other deadline specifics). Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Community Standards and Compliance, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.