SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Three distinct conduct processes: behavioral, academic, and sexual misconduct

Committee on Academic Honesty (COAH) handles academic integrity violations

Separate Title IX Grievance Policy process for Title IX-covered sexual misconduct

Separate process for alleged sexual and interpersonal violence outside Title IX threshold

All student conduct-related meetings and Board hearings audio recorded (excluding deliberation phase)

Separate processes for domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault with specific sanction ranges

Good Samaritan provision regarding alcohol and drug use in certain situations

Academic integrity violations may be resolved at instructor level before proceeding to COAH

Who handles academic misconduct cases at SUNY ESF?

College Hearing Board (CHB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at SUNY ESF. The Dean of Students (or designee) appoints faculty, staff, and student members to a trained pool from which each individual hearing Board is drawn. Each hearing Board is comprised of three voting members, one of whom may be a student at the same level of study as the respondent, with the Coordinator of Community Standards serving as a non-voting Administrative Hearing Officer who presides to ensure the process is followed. Alleged behavioral misconduct violations of the ESF Code of Student Conduct

What is the evidence standard at SUNY ESF?

SUNY ESF applies preponderance of the evidence, meaning whether it is more likely than not that a violation occurred under ESF Code of Student Conduct (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). College Hearing Board 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 SUNY ESF conduct proceeding?

Under ESF Code of Student Conduct, students facing a College Hearing Board proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to receive advance written or electronic notice of the date, time, and location of any meeting or hearing; be told the factual allegations and reference to specific Code of Student Conduct provisions allegedly violated; be accompanied by an advisor of choice throughout the conduct process and any related hearings or meetings; present evidence and testimony at a hearing where appropriate. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at SUNY ESF?

Allegations against any student must be made in writing by ESF or Syracuse University faculty, staff, or students. ESF University Police, SU Public Safety, and city, state, or federal police may also submit allegations. The SUNY ESF Incident Report Form may be used to submit an official report of behavioral misconduct.

What sanctions can SUNY ESF impose for academic misconduct?

College Hearing Board can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including written reprimand, disciplinary probation, educational project, 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 SUNY ESF, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at SUNY ESF is Appeals must be submitted within 5 days of being notified of the decision. A complainant and respondent dissatisfied with the determination of a Committee on Academic Honesty, a student conduct officer, or a College Hearing Board may appeal by completing and returning a Petition to Appeal. Appeals are reviews of the record (written and, when determined appropriate, the audio recording). The appeal process is administrative and parties will not typically meet with the Committee. The College Appeals Committee, generally comprised of three faculty, staff, and/or student members selected from a pool of trained individuals without conflict of interest, reviews the appeal and renders a written recommendation to the Dean of Students (or designee), who may amend or revise the recommendation. Appeal grounds typically include new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the original hearing, the absence of which can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome of the hearing, procedural error that can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome of the hearing, errors in the interpretation of college policy so substantial as to deny either party a fair hearing. 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 SUNY ESF hearing?

Yes. Under ESF Code of Student Conduct, students have the right to be accompanied by an advisor of choice throughout the conduct process and any related hearings or meetings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate SUNY ESF's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at SUNY ESF the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a SUNY ESF College Hearing Board proceeding?

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

SUNY ESF handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the SUNY ESF Executive People Officer. Title IX Grievance Policy addresses complaints of discrimination based on sex under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. The Executive People Officer is located at 220 Bray Hall, phone 315-565-3012, email provided on ESF website. Inquiries may also be directed to the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, 32 Old Slip 26th Floor, New York, NY 10005-2500. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at SUNY ESF, 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 SUNY ESF?

At SUNY ESF, the most frequently cited violations include: academic dishonesty including plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct; misuse of academic resources or facilities, or misuse of computer software, data, equipment, or networks; disorderly conduct including public intoxication, lewd or obscene behavior, libel, slander, and illegal gambling; illegal manufacture, purchase, sale, use, possession, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, or controlled substances. 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 SUNY ESF conduct case?

At SUNY ESF, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal deadline: 5 days from notification of decision; Appeal statement limit: 10 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins (not including supporting documentation). Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from College Hearing Board, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.