University at Buffalo Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

University Hearing Representatives in the SWJ are law students currently enrolled at SUNY Buffalo Law School, giving the SWJ a distinctive peer-based legal training component.

UB uses Maxient, a web-based messaging platform, as the official communication tool for Student Conduct, Academic Integrity, Campus Living, Dean of Students, and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion offices.

First-offense undergraduate students can expunge their OAI record by completing a remediation assignment within 60 days of sanction; repeat offenses can never be removed from the record.

OAI automatically places a registration hold on a student's account upon report of academic dishonesty, preventing course resignation without instructor permission.

Suspension and expulsion from UB for academic integrity violations require approval from both the OAI and the Office of the President or designee.

UB is a SUNY flagship institution and the largest in the SUNY system, meaning conduct and academic integrity cases can involve graduate and professional programs (medical, dental, law, pharmacy) with heightened career-disclosure implications.

Students have the right to request an expedited appeal review if the penalty affects graduation, transfer status, or eligibility.

Administrative Hearings are the required route for all Title IX, Violence Against Women Act, and sexual violence/misconduct cases; the SWJ does not handle those.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UB?

Student-Wide Judiciary (SWJ) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UB. University Hearing Representatives (law students currently enrolled at SUNY Buffalo Law School) who draft complaints and conduct hearings, plus Student Justices who sit on Hearing Panels. A Hearing Panel is comprised of an odd number of current Justices, with a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7; decisions are by simple majority. The Chief Justice coordinates and conducts the Hearing Panel but is not a voting member. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct and other University rules and regulations, disputes involving student governments and elections. The Director of Student Conduct determines which body manages a given case; options include the Student-Wide Judiciary, Administrative Hearing, Campus Living staff (housing violations), and UB Information Technology (computing violations). All Title IX, Violence Against Women Act, and sexual violence/misconduct cases go to Administrative Hearings.

What is the evidence standard at UB?

UB applies Preponderance of the evidence for both student conduct (Student Code) and academic integrity matters. No final disciplinary sanctions may be imposed unless charges are substantiated by the preponderance of evidence. under Student Code of Conduct: University Standards and Administrative Regulations (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). Student-Wide Judiciary 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 UB conduct proceeding?

Under Student Code of Conduct: University Standards and Administrative Regulations, students facing a Student-Wide Judiciary proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to a clear written statement of charges and the nature of the supporting information; a fair hearing and opportunity to present one's own position, information, and explanation; be assisted by an advisor of one's choosing throughout the conduct process (advisor may not speak on the student's behalf during any step of the SWJ process); have one advisor present at academic integrity hearings (advisor may not be an attorney and may not speak directly to the committee). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UB?

For academic integrity: an instructor who has reason to believe a student committed academic dishonesty must notify the student within 10 academic days of discovery via the student's UB email address. A registration hold is placed on the student's account by the Office of Academic Integrity so the student cannot resign from the course without instructor permission. The instructor files an Academic Dishonesty Report Form with the OAI. For student conduct: charges are referred to the Student-Wide Judiciary through Appearance Referrals, typically issued by University Police or university administrators. If no Appearance Referral is in the report, a University Hearing Representative sends one to the student by email.

What sanctions can UB impose for academic misconduct?

Student-Wide Judiciary can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, revision of work, reduction in grade, 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 UB, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UB is 10 academic days from the date of the instructor's decision notification to file the initial appeal with OAI. 10 academic days from the date of the Adjudication Committee's decision notification to file a second-level appeal to the OAI Director (undergraduate only). For SWJ Hearing Panel appeals, the appeal letter must be submitted no more than 5 days from the Hearing Panel decision date or the deadline set by the panel. Academic days are weekdays when classes are in session during fall and spring semesters; they exclude exam days, Reading Days, summer sessions, and winter sessions.. Academic Integrity: A student may appeal an instructor's finding and/or sanction to the OAI by completing the Academic Dishonesty Appeal Form within 10 academic days of the instructor's decision notification. The OAI reviews the case under the preponderance of evidence standard and notifies both parties within 10 academic days. If the OAI finds cause, it assembles an Adjudication Committee within 10 academic days. For undergraduates, either party may then appeal the committee's decision to the OAI Director within 10 academic days on procedural grounds or based on substantial new evidence; the Director may uphold the decision or appoint a second committee, whose decision is final. For graduate students, the committee's decision is final with no further appeal available. Student Conduct (SWJ): Hearing Panel findings are final and binding pending the appropriate appeal process as defined in the Student Code; the specific post-panel appeal mechanism and deadline are described in the SWJ Rules of Procedure (appeal letter to be mailed no more than 5 days from the date of the Hearing Panel decision or from the deadline). Appeal grounds typically include appeal of the finding of academic dishonesty (charge), appeal of the sanction imposed by the instructor, procedural error (for second-level appeal of adjudication committee decision by undergraduates), 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 UB hearing?

Yes. Under Student Code of Conduct: University Standards and Administrative Regulations, students have the right to be assisted by an advisor of one's choosing throughout the conduct process (advisor may not speak on the student's behalf during any step of the swj process). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UB's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UB the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UB Student-Wide Judiciary proceeding?

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

UB handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). The EDI Director serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator (currently Sharon Nolan-Weiss, Director and Title VI, Title IX, and ADA Coordinator). The office is located at 406 Capen Hall, North Campus; phone (716) 645-2266; email equity@buffalo.edu. The Deputy Title IX Coordinator is Jessica Byerly, Associate Director. UB's Title IX Policy governs procedures for investigating and hearing cases of sexual harassment and sexual violence subject to Title IX. All Title IX and sexual misconduct cases are handled through Administrative Hearings, not the Student-Wide Judiciary. Advisors play a distinct role in the Title IX Grievance process, different from standard SWJ proceedings. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UB, 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 UB?

At UB, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism; cheating (including in online courses); aiding in academic dishonesty; falsifying academic materials. 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 UB conduct case?

At UB, the most consequential deadlines are: 10 academic days: Instructor must notify student of alleged academic dishonesty after discovery; 10 academic days: Student must meet with instructor for consultative resolution after notification; 10 academic days: Student may file an appeal of the instructor's academic integrity finding/sanction with OAI after receiving the instructor's decision. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student-Wide Judiciary, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.