Rowan University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Separate academic integrity process with level-based violations (Levels 1-4)

Students may waive hearing for Level 3 violations if first offense and accepting responsibility (sanctions determined by Office of Provost, not exceeding maximum suspension)

Office of the Provost conducts review for prior violations and adjusts violation level accordingly

Automatic appeal to Provost for all Academic Integrity Review Board findings of responsibility

Virtual hearings conducted on WebEx

Educational sanctions required in addition to disciplinary sanctions

Separate Title IX process administered by Office of Student Equity and Compliance (OSEC)

Graduate students may be subject to different procedures for examination, thesis, and dissertation components

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Rowan?

Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations); Campus Hearing Board (for Student Code of Conduct violations) (AIRB; CHB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Rowan. Academic Integrity Review Board: quorum of four members including at least one student, one faculty member, and one administrator; Campus Hearing Board: nine regular members and alternates including three student members, three faculty members, and three administrative members, chaired by non-voting Administrative Hearing Officer Academic Integrity Review Board adjudicates Level 3 and 4 academic integrity violations and Level 1 and 2 appeals; Campus Hearing Board determines Student Code of Conduct violations

What is the evidence standard at Rowan?

Rowan applies Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not) under Academic Integrity Policy; Student Code of Conduct (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations); Campus Hearing Board (for Student Code of Conduct violations) 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 Rowan conduct proceeding?

Under Academic Integrity Policy; Student Code of Conduct, students facing a Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations); Campus Hearing Board (for Student Code of Conduct violations) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Receive written notice of alleged violation; Have reasonable access to case materials prior to and during hearing; Have access to advisor of choosing (advisor may not participate in hearing; student must sign FERPA waiver); Understand and respond to allegations. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Rowan?

Academic integrity violations: instructor reports alleged violation to Office of the Provost via Report of an Academic Integrity Violation (RAIV) form through Maxient. Student Code violations: reported to Office of Community Standards or Dean of Students. Title IX matters: reported to Office of Student Equity and Compliance (OSEC).

What sanctions can Rowan impose for academic misconduct?

Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations); Campus Hearing Board (for Student Code of Conduct violations) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including grade reduction or failure on assignment, failing grade in course, notation on transcript, 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 Rowan, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Rowan is 5 business days from receipt of violation report (academic integrity); UNVERIFIED: needs human research (Student Code). For academic integrity violations: Level 1 and 2 violations may be appealed to Academic Integrity Review Board within 5 business days by completing form linked on violation report; appeals beyond 5 days considered by Office of Provost if warranted. Level 3 and 4 cases heard by Academic Integrity Review Board are automatically appealed to Provost for final decision. For Student Code violations: written appeal to Campus Appeals Officer/Board on grounds of procedural error, new evidence, or disproportionate sanctions; Campus Appeals Board authorized by Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students to consider appeals. Appeal grounds typically include student believes no violation occurred, student believes level of violation was incorrectly assigned, student believes sanction imposed was inappropriate to level, 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 Rowan hearing?

Yes. Under Academic Integrity Policy; Student Code of Conduct, students have the right to have access to advisor of choosing (advisor may not participate in hearing; student must sign ferpa waiver). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Rowan's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Rowan the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Rowan Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations) proceeding?

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

Rowan handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Student Equity and Compliance (OSEC); Title IX Coordinator: Brandy Bennett. OSEC handles Title IX Sexual Harassment/Sexual Assault matters (within U.S., within educational programs, complainant participating in program), Student Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy (off-campus incidents, sexual exploitation), and discrimination complaints. Separate process from academic integrity and Student Code procedures. Reporting to Title IX Coordinator: bennettb@rowan.edu or 856-256-5440. Title IX investigations and hearings proceed independently of criminal proceedings. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Rowan, 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 Rowan?

At Rowan, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism (representing others' words, ideas, or data as one's own); cheating (misrepresenting mastery of material; use of prohibited tools including generative ai); fabrication (invented information or falsified research findings); academic misconduct (alteration of grades, unauthorized submission in multiple classes). 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 Rowan conduct case?

At Rowan, the most consequential deadlines are: 5 business days from receipt of violation report to appeal Level 1 or 2 academic integrity violation; 5 business days for student to respond to hearing scheduler for Level 3/4 violations (otherwise hearing scheduled without student input); 5 business days to accept responsibility and waive hearing for Level 3 violations (first offense only). Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Academic Integrity Review Board (for Level 3 and 4 violations); Campus Hearing Board (for Student Code of Conduct violations), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.