Tulane University Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Only expulsion appears on the academic transcript, other sanctions (suspension included) do not create transcript notations at Tulane, a meaningful privacy protection for lesser outcomes

Waiving the hearing also waives appeal rights, students accepting responsibility informally give up both the adjudicative and appellate rounds

The 'arbitrary and capricious' appeal ground is an explicit administrative-law-style standard that provides additional review beyond purely procedural or new-evidence grounds

Sanctions are more severe for students with prior violations, suspension becomes typical, and egregious cheating/fabrication/false information is elevated to expulsion risk

Hearings are required for students with prior violations or egregious allegations, students cannot opt into informal resolution in those cases

Each Tulane school (NTC, SoPA, SPH) has its own Code of Academic Conduct, meaning procedural nuances vary by school

Newcomb-Tulane College's Honor Board is the adjudicative body for undergraduate academic integrity specifically

Tulane Law School

Tulane Law School academic regulations

Law students are subject to separate academic conduct procedures within the Law School.

Tulane School of Medicine

Tulane Medicine Committee on Student Promotions

Medical students face academic progression and professionalism review through the School of Medicine.

Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (SPHTM)

SPHTM Honor Code / Student Code of Academic Conduct

Public health students are subject to SPHTM's separate Honor Code and Code of Academic Conduct.

Tulane School of Professional Advancement (SoPA)

SoPA Code of Academic Conduct

SoPA students face a school-specific Code of Academic Conduct.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Tulane?

Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic); Office of Student Conduct (non-academic) (NTC Honor Board) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Tulane. Academic integrity cases for undergraduate students in Newcomb-Tulane College are heard by the NTC Honor Board. The Board adjudicates contested cases and cases with prior violations or potential suspension. Non-academic conduct is administered by the Office of Student Conduct. Violations of Tulane's Code of Academic Conduct (for academic integrity) and the Code of Student Conduct (for non-academic behavior). Different Tulane schools (School of Professional Advancement, School of Public Health, etc.) have their own Codes of Academic Conduct with school-specific variations.

What is the evidence standard at Tulane?

Tulane applies Preponderance of the evidence (Tulane's standard for conduct and academic integrity findings) under Tulane Code of Academic Conduct (Newcomb-Tulane College); Code of Student Conduct. Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic); Office of Student Conduct (non-academic) 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 Tulane conduct proceeding?

Under Tulane Code of Academic Conduct (Newcomb-Tulane College); Code of Student Conduct, students facing a Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic); Office of Student Conduct (non-academic) proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged violation; accept responsibility and waive a hearing (for students with no prior violations; note this also waives appeal rights); an NTC Honor Board hearing when contesting or when a prior violation or possible suspension is at issue; an advisor during proceedings. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Tulane?

Anyone can report academic misconduct or alleged violations of the Code of Academic Conduct. For students without prior violations, the case may be offered the opportunity to accept responsibility and waive a hearing. Students with a prior violation or facing possible suspension for an egregious violation are required to have a hearing with the NTC Honor Board.

What sanctions can Tulane impose for academic misconduct?

Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic); Office of Student Conduct (non-academic) can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including reduced grade on the assignment, failing grade in the course, disciplinary probation, 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.

Can I appeal a decision at Tulane?

Yes. Students may appeal the decision of a hearing panel. However, if a student waives the hearing, they also waive the right to appeal. Appeals are evaluated on four grounds. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error that occurred that is so substantial that it denied the student the right to a fair hearing, new and significant evidence is available that could not have been discovered before or during the hearing, the finding of responsibility was arbitrary and capricious, among others. The specific appeal deadline is set out in the outcome letter, and it is usually short, often 5 to 10 business days from the date of the decision.

Can I bring an advisor to my Tulane hearing?

Yes. Under Tulane Code of Academic Conduct (Newcomb-Tulane College); Code of Student Conduct, students have the right to an advisor during proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Tulane's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Tulane the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Tulane Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic) proceeding?

In most cases, no. Tulane's proceedings follow university policy under Tulane Code of Academic Conduct (Newcomb-Tulane College); Code of Student Conduct, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Tulane'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 Tulane handle Title IX cases?

Tulane handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Tulane Office of Institutional Equity / Title IX Coordinator. Sex-based misconduct and Title IX complaints are handled through the Office of Institutional Equity under Tulane's separate Title IX policies, not through the NTC Honor Board. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Tulane, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does Tulane's Law School have a separate conduct process?

Yes. Tulane Law School at Tulane is handled through Tulane Law School academic regulations, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Law students are subject to separate academic conduct procedures within the Law School. This matters because professional school findings carry licensure implications, and the remediation and appeal pathways are different from the undergraduate process.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at Tulane?

At Tulane, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism on written work; cheating on exams or assessments; unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments; fabrication of data, sources, or research results (elevated risk of expulsion). 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 Tulane conduct case?

At Tulane, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal deadlines are set in the Code of Academic Conduct and outcome letter. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Newcomb-Tulane College Honor Board (academic); Office of Student Conduct (non-academic), document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.