Stony Brook University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Dual evidence-standard framework: preponderance of the evidence for behavioral and Title IX matters, but clear and convincing evidence for academic integrity hearings before the Academic Judiciary Committee

Unique Q Grade sanction: a first academic dishonesty finding results in a Q grade (computed as an F in GPA) that is only removed after the student completes the mandatory 10-week Q Course; failure to complete by the following semester may convert the Q to a permanent Q/F

Students found responsible for academic dishonesty may not graduate with University honors and lose University scholarship eligibility

Parallel Title IX framework: separate procedures under Section VII (non-Title IX sexual misconduct) and Section VIII (Title IX Grievance Policy) of the Code of Student Responsibility, allowing the University to address both Title IX-covered and non-Title IX sexual misconduct

Academic integrity jurisdiction is college-specific: the AJC covers CAS, College of Business, School of Journalism, and SOMAS; CEAS uses its own Committee on Academic Standing and Appeals (CEAS-CASA); the Graduate School and School of Professional Development have separate processes

Conduct records are generally retained for seven years after the last incident; expulsion records may be kept indefinitely

A transcript notation for suspension may be removed after five years upon written request to the Vice President for Student Affairs

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Stony Brook?

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (SCCS) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Stony Brook. For behavioral misconduct, cases are heard by a Hearing Board composed of University officials and, where applicable, student members. For academic integrity matters, the Academic Judiciary Committee (AJC) convenes a hearing board consisting of a Hearing Officer, two university employees (teaching faculty and professional staff), and two undergraduate students. The Hearing Officer presides but does not vote. All Stony Brook students, including undergraduates, graduates, professional students, certificate program participants, matriculated and non-matriculated students, regardless of credit load. The Code also applies to off-campus conduct when students participate in University-sanctioned activities or when violations adversely affect University safety and security.

What is the evidence standard at Stony Brook?

Stony Brook applies Preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) for behavioral misconduct under the Code of Student Responsibility and for Title IX matters. Clear and convincing evidence standard applies specifically to academic dishonesty hearings before the Academic Judiciary Committee. under Code of Student Responsibility (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Office of Student Conduct and 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 Stony Brook conduct proceeding?

Under Code of Student Responsibility, students facing a Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice of charges prior to any hearing or conduct meeting; Opportunity to present their perspective at a Student Conduct Meeting; present witnesses who have direct knowledge of the incident (character witnesses are not permitted; witnesses must be pre-approved); request disability accommodations through the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Stony Brook?

Any member of the University community (student, staff, or faculty) may file a complaint or referral with the appropriate office, including the Dean of Students, Division of Campus Residences, Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Title IX Coordinator, Title IX Deputies, or University Police. For academic integrity, any member of the academic community may refer a suspected violation to the Academic Judiciary Office using the online reporting form within two weeks of discovering the suspected violation. Course instructors who suspect violations must report to the Academic Judiciary Office and may not impose penalties independently.

What sanctions can Stony Brook impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including verbal or written warning, restitution, special restriction or loss of privileges, 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 Stony Brook, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Stony Brook is Behavioral misconduct: seven (7) calendar days from receipt of disposition. Academic integrity: seven (7) business days from the hearing committee's decision. Second-level academic integrity appeal: seven (7) business days from communication of the Associate Provost's or CEAS Dean's decision.. For behavioral misconduct, students found responsible may appeal in writing to the designated office within seven calendar days of receiving the disposition. For academic integrity, decisions of the Academic Judiciary Committee may be appealed within seven business days by submitting a detailed statement to the Associate Provost for Academic Success (or CEAS Office of the Dean for CEAS students) at academic_appeals@stonybrook.edu. A second-level appeal to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education is available if the first appeal is denied, also within seven business days of that denial. The Vice Provost's decision is final. Appeal grounds typically include new information unavailable at the time of the hearing that could have substantially impacted the outcome, significant procedural violations, sanction is disproportionate to the student's conduct record and/or the nature of the violation, 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 Stony Brook hearing?

Yes. Under Code of Student Responsibility, students have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of choice at title ix hearings (the advisor is not an advocate and generally may not participate directly). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Stony Brook's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Stony Brook the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Stony Brook Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards proceeding?

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

Stony Brook handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Equity and Access (OEA). The Title IX Coordinator is Marjolie Leonard Coker, Assistant Vice President for OEA, reachable at titleix@stonybrook.edu or 631-632-6280. Renaire Frierson serves as Director of Investigations and Assistant Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be filed at stonybrook.edu/reportit or reportit@stonybrook.edu. The University uses a parallel framework: Section VIII (Title IX Grievance Policy) for conduct meeting the federal Title IX definition, and Section VII (Sexual Misconduct Policy) for conduct outside that narrow scope. A confidential Survivor Advocacy Team and Navigator program are available to assist complainants and respondents. Deputy Title IX Coordinators are available university-wide as initial contact points. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Stony Brook, 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 Stony Brook?

At Stony Brook, the most frequently cited violations include: academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized collaboration, fabrication); sexual harassment, nonconsensual sexual contact, and nonconsensual sexual intercourse; physical assault resulting in injury requiring medical attention; alcohol and drug policy violations (possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs; sale of drugs in a saleable quantity). 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 Stony Brook conduct case?

At Stony Brook, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic integrity accusation must be filed within two weeks of discovery of the suspected violation; Behavioral misconduct appeal: seven (7) calendar days from receipt of disposition; Academic integrity appeal (first level): seven (7) business days from hearing committee's decision. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.