Texas State University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Dual-track system: academic integrity violations are governed by UPPS 07.10.01 and adjudicated by the Honor Code Council (with appeal to the Provost), while non-academic misconduct is handled by the Dean of Students / Student Conduct and Community Standards (with appeal to the VPSS).

Honor Code Council hearings are recorded (excluding panel deliberation), and either party may obtain a copy at no cost for purposes of appeal.

A student may accept the finding of academic misconduct but still appeal only the penalty; however, the Hearing Committee has the option of recommending a harsher penalty than the instructor initially proposed.

Honor Code violations are not reported on transcripts or to outside entities; records are maintained internally for five years solely to identify repeat offenders.

Texas State has a free Attorney for Students Office (AFS) on campus, operating since 1974, staffed by two attorneys offering legal guidance to all enrolled students at no additional cost.

Texas Senate Bill 212 mandates that all university employees who witness or receive information about sexual misconduct involving a student or employee must report to the Title IX Coordinator; knowing failure to report may result in termination and criminal penalty.

Texas State is a member in good standing of the International Center for Academic Integrity.

The Honor Code explicitly addresses unauthorized use of AI as a form of academic misconduct.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Texas State?

Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct) (HCC / SCCS) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Texas State. The Honor Code Council is comprised of a minimum of 14 trained faculty members (at least two from each of the seven academic colleges) and a minimum of 14 trained students appointed annually by Student Government. A Hearing Committee drawn from the Council must include equal numbers of faculty and students, with a minimum of three faculty and three students, totaling six members, presided over by a non-voting Hearing Officer who is the Council chair or vice chair. The Student Conduct Hearing Board for non-academic matters is appointed by the Dean of Students at the start of each long semester and is composed of student members and hearing officers who are faculty or staff. The Honor Code Council hears academic integrity disputes (appeals of faculty findings under UPPS 07.10.01) for all enrolled students across on-campus, off-campus, and online academic work. The Dean of Students Office / Student Conduct and Community Standards handles non-academic Code of Student Conduct violations. The Vice President for Student Success holds primary administrative responsibility for the conduct process.

What is the evidence standard at Texas State?

Texas State applies Preponderance of the evidence (defined in the Code of Student Conduct as 'the greater weight of credible evidence') under Honor Code (UPPS 07.10.01) and Code of Student Conduct (Texas State Student Handbook) (UPPS No. 07.10.01, Issue No. 11; Code of Student Conduct (Student Handbook)). Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct) 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 Texas State conduct proceeding?

Under Honor Code (UPPS 07.10.01) and Code of Student Conduct (Texas State Student Handbook), students facing a Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice at least five class days before any conduct hearing specifying the alleged policy violation (Code of Student Conduct); Opportunity to attend the hearing and present relevant evidence; provide witnesses and a summary of expected testimony to the Dean of Students at least 48 hours before the hearing; have an advocate or supporter present at Honor Code Council meetings and hearings (role limited to advising the student; advocates may not actively present information). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Texas State?

For academic integrity: a faculty member contacts the student verbally or in writing to discuss the alleged violation, supporting evidence, and academic penalty. If the student does not respond within three business days, the faculty member submits an Honor Code Review Form. A Case Resolution Form is then sent to the student by email, giving the student the choice to (1) accept the faculty finding and waive a hearing, or (2) reject the finding and request a Hearing Committee review by the Honor Code Council. If the student does not respond to the email within three business days, a hold is placed on the student's academic record. For non-academic conduct: the Dean of Students or designee investigates alleged violations of the Code of Student Conduct, gives the student an opportunity to explain the incident, and may proceed in the student's absence if the student is unresponsive.

What sanctions can Texas State impose for academic misconduct?

Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic integrity sanctions, internal record of academic dishonesty maintained for five years in the office of the provost, referral to the dean of students office for further disciplinary action in cases of severity or repeat, 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 Texas State, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Texas State is Academic integrity: UNVERIFIED: needs human research (specific filing deadline for provost appeal not stated in retrieved policy text beyond the 10-business-day decision window). Non-academic conduct: written notice of appeal to the VPSS must be filed no later than five business days after the hearing panel's decision; all supporting documentation must be filed with the VPSS no later than five business days after notice of appeal is given.. Academic integrity appeals: after the Honor Code Council Hearing Committee issues its recommendation, either party may appeal to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs (or designee), who will reach a decision within 10 business days (additional time may be required for complex matters). The provost's decision is final. Non-academic conduct appeals: in cases where the sanction exceeds a warning or probation, either party may appeal to the Vice President for Student Success (VPSS). The VPSS responds within 10 business days of receiving all documentation and testimony. The VPSS may approve, reject, or modify the hearing panel's decision, or require the committee to reopen the hearing. The VPSS's decision is final except for a discretionary review described in the Code of Student Conduct. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error: university procedures outlined in upps 07.10.01 (honor code) were not followed (academic appeals), constitutional or legal violation: the university violated a right guaranteed by the constitution or laws of the united states or the state of texas (academic appeals), fairness of hearing: whether a fair hearing was afforded, including notice of the alleged misconduct and opportunity to present evidence (conduct appeals), 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 Texas State hearing?

Yes. Under Honor Code (UPPS 07.10.01) and Code of Student Conduct (Texas State Student Handbook), students have the right to have an advisor of choice present throughout title ix / sexual misconduct proceedings, including all meetings and hearings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Texas State's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Texas State the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Texas State Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Texas State's proceedings follow university policy under Honor Code (UPPS 07.10.01) and Code of Student Conduct (Texas State Student Handbook), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Texas State'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 Texas State handle Title IX cases?

Texas State handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO & Title IX). Located at Elliott Hall A, 3rd Floor, 201 Talbot St., San Marcos, TX 78666. Phone: 512.245.2539. Email: TitleIX@txstate.edu. The Title IX Coordinator is Alexandria Hatcher, who also serves as Director of the Office. The office manages Title IX programs and investigates claims of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct in a neutral role. Title IX Sexual Harassment proceedings include live hearings with live cross-examination conducted by the parties' advisors; remote hearings are available. If a party lacks an advisor in a Title IX Sexual Harassment matter, the university will provide one for the limited purpose of conducting cross-examination. Both parties may appeal the finding or the sanction in sexual misconduct decisions. The office also handles Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct that does not meet the narrow federal Title IX requirements. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Texas State, 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 Texas State?

At Texas State, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating on an examination or other academic work, including copying from another student's test, paper, computer files, or electronic device; plagiarism: appropriation of another's work without adequate or appropriate acknowledgment; collusion: unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing any work offered for credit; unauthorized use of ai-generated content when not permitted by the instructor. 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 Texas State conduct case?

At Texas State, the most consequential deadlines are: Student must respond to faculty contact about an alleged Honor Code violation within three business days or a hold may be placed on the academic record; Student must respond to the Case Resolution Form (accept or reject faculty finding) within three business days or a hold is placed on the academic record; Student must provide copies of evidence to the Hearing Officer at least three days prior to the Honor Code Council hearing. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Honor Code Council (academic integrity) and Student Conduct and Community Standards / Dean of Students Office (non-academic conduct), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.