SUNY Cortland Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Separate academic integrity process (Chapter 340) handled by Academic Grievance Tribunal

Good Samaritan Policy for alcohol/drug amnesty in sexual and interpersonal violence cases

Teacher Education Candidate Review Committee monitors teacher candidate violations

Title IX Office handles sex discrimination and sexual harassment cases separately

Notation on transcript for suspension/dismissal; can petition for removal after one year (except crimes of violence/hazing)

Academic integrity violation notation may be removed after one year upon appeal to provost

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Cortland?

Student Conduct Office (UNVERIFIED: needs human research) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Cortland. Academic integrity cases are heard by the Academic Grievance Tribunal, whose full membership includes two faculty members from each school (selected as determined by the Faculty Senate, serving staggered three-year terms) and at least one undergraduate and one graduate student from each school (undergraduates selected by the Student Senate, graduate students nominated by their deans). The provost's designee chairs each tribunal panel and votes only to break a tie. A subset of the full tribunal serves as the panel hearing a given case. Non-academic conduct cases are instead heard by an unbiased student conduct body through the Student Conduct Office. Student Code of Conduct violations (non-academic)

What is the evidence standard at Cortland?

Cortland applies Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not) under Student Code of Conduct and SUNY Cortland Handbook Chapter 340 (Academic Integrity Policy) (Chapter 340 (Academic Integrity); Student Code of Conduct). Student Conduct Office 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 Cortland conduct proceeding?

Under Student Code of Conduct and SUNY Cortland Handbook Chapter 340 (Academic Integrity Policy), students facing a Student Conduct Office proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to hearing by unbiased student conduct body; have advisor present at hearing; written notice of charges with date, time, location; hear and respond to all information presented. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Cortland?

Charges filed within 30 school days of receipt of misconduct report by Student Conduct Office

What sanctions can Cortland impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct Office can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including reduction of assignment grade, elimination of grade, reduction of course 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 Cortland, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Cortland is Five working days after receiving official notification (academic integrity); deadline for non-academic conduct appeals: UNVERIFIED: needs human research. For academic integrity violations, students may appeal AGT decision to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. For conduct violations, appeal to panel not single person. Appeals based on procedural grounds, new evidence, bias, or disproportionate sanctions. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error or irregularity affecting outcome, new evidence not available at time of hearing, bias of conduct body member, 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 Cortland hearing?

Yes. Under Student Code of Conduct and SUNY Cortland Handbook Chapter 340 (Academic Integrity Policy), students have the right to have advisor present at hearing. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Cortland's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Cortland the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Cortland Student Conduct Office proceeding?

In most cases, no. Cortland's proceedings follow university policy under Student Code of Conduct and SUNY Cortland Handbook Chapter 340 (Academic Integrity Policy), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Cortland'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 Cortland handle Title IX cases?

Cortland handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Title IX Office, Miller Building, Room 309. Coordinator: Maggie Wetter; Deputy: Caitlin Briggs; Phone: 607-753-2263; Email: titleix@cortland.edu; Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Handles sex discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking; Title IX cases may be heard separately from standard conduct process Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Cortland, 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 Cortland?

At Cortland, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism (failure to use quotation marks, undocumented paraphrasing, false documentation); academic dishonesty (cheating on exams, unauthorized collaboration); falsifying documents; alcohol and drug violations. 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 Cortland conduct case?

At Cortland, the most consequential deadlines are: Charges filed within 30 school days of receipt of misconduct report; Academic integrity appeal filed within 5 working days of receiving official AGT notification; Student must respond within 2 working days of receipt of Academic Grievance Tribunal meeting response form. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct Office, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.