Stephen F. Austin State University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic integrity cases may be referred to the University Committee on Academic Integrity for serious cases (such as buying or selling papers, stealing exams, or significant plagiarism at graduate level) or for second or subsequent offenses

Faculty members have primary authority to investigate academic dishonesty and propose sanctions

Separate processes for academic conduct (Article VI) and behavioral conduct (Article VII)

Records of academic integrity cases are maintained for at least five years

Conduct records for suspension, expulsion, denial or revocation of degree, or withdrawal of diploma are permanent

Who handles academic misconduct cases at SFA?

Office of Community Standards (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at SFA. Director of the Office of Community Standards, with authority to delegate to Formal Hearing Officers Student conduct violations under the Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (HOP 04-106)

What is the evidence standard at SFA?

SFA applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) under Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (HOP 04-106). Office of Community Standards 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 SFA conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, students facing a Office of Community Standards proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to notice of allegations; present evidence and witnesses; appeal; access hearing recording within 3 days of hearing. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at SFA?

For behavioral conduct, allegations are investigated by the Dean of Students or designee. For academic conduct, the accusing Faculty member conducts the investigation, determines whether to proceed with charges, and proposes appropriate sanctions.

What sanctions can SFA impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Community Standards can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, probation, community service, 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 SFA, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at SFA is Academic integrity appeals: 30 days from the beginning of the long semester following the incident. Behavioral conduct appeal deadline: UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Students found in violation may appeal the decision of the Formal Hearing Officer in accordance with Article XI of the policy. For academic integrity cases, appeals must be filed within 30 days of the beginning of the long semester following the incident. Behavioral conduct appeals are heard by an Appeal Officer. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error that affected the outcome, new evidence that was unknown or unavailable at the original hearing, inappropriate sanction for the violation. 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 SFA hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, students have the right to an advisor during the conduct process. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate SFA's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at SFA the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a SFA Office of Community Standards proceeding?

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

SFA handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Title IX. Director (Coordinator): Lissy Turner. The Office of Title IX handles sex- and gender-based discrimination under HOP policy 01-307 (referred to as HOP policy 2.13 in some documents). The Title IX office provides supportive remedies, academic adjustments, and disciplinary remedies including probation, suspension, or expulsion for students found in violation. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at SFA, 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 SFA?

At SFA, the most frequently cited violations include: academic dishonesty including cheating and plagiarism; alcohol-related violations; drug and drug paraphernalia violations; property damage or vandalism. 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 SFA conduct case?

At SFA, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic integrity appeal deadline: 30 days from the beginning of the long semester following the incident; Recording of hearing made available within 3 days of hearing date; Behavioral conduct appeal deadline: UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Community Standards, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.