University of California Los Angeles Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

The Interim 2026 Code was recently adopted, UCLA is actively operating under new procedures rather than a long-settled policy, and outcomes in early cases may shape interpretation

Letter of Admonition, the Reviewer may issue a non-punitive advisory notice that does not itself constitute discipline but warns that repetition may trigger the conduct process

Agreement of Resolution, a binding, contractual resolution option that is not a finding of responsibility but becomes actionable misconduct if breached

Explicit distinction between Advisor (may communicate with the student and, with written consent, access communications) and Support Person (present for support only, may not speak)

The Interim Code explicitly defines unauthorized or prohibited AI use in assignments as Cheating (102.01a), and AI use without proper citation as Plagiarism (102.01c)

General 90-day resolution target for Student Conduct Reviews (increased from earlier timelines), with 20-day post-hearing decision window

Title IX and civil-rights matters are routed through the UCLA Civil Rights Office rather than the Office of Student Conduct

UCLA School of Law

UCLA School of Law honor code process

Law students are subject to a separate honor code administered within the Law School.

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine

Committee on Academic Standing and Promotion (CASPP) / Admissions and Progress Committee (APC)

Geffen uses academic-standing committees (CASPP/APC) for professionalism and academic performance matters in addition to any university-level conduct process. Sanctions can include academic probation, remediation, and dismissal with appeal to the Dean and, ultimately, the Vice Chancellor.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UCLA?

Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UCLA. Under the Interim 2026 Code, Student Conduct Hearings are by default facilitated by a single Hearing Officer. In exceptional circumstances authorized in writing by the Director, a hearing may convene a panel of 3-5 persons: 1 Hearing Officer and 2-4 Panel Members. The Dean of Students and the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA) serve as appellate authorities. All UCLA student conduct violations of University policy or campus regulations under the Interim 2026 Student Conduct Code, including academic dishonesty, disruptive conduct, and unauthorized AI use.

What is the evidence standard at UCLA?

UCLA applies Preponderance of evidence, the University must prove it is more likely than not that the student committed the misconduct alleged under Interim 2026 UCLA Student Conduct Code. Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students 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 UCLA conduct proceeding?

Under Interim 2026 UCLA Student Conduct Code, students facing a Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to select an Advisor of choice, or to request a University-provided Advisor; be accompanied by one Support Person (distinct from the Advisor), Support Person may not speak on the student's behalf; present documents and propose questions for witnesses; inspect relevant documents, redacted as required by law and policy. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UCLA?

A written complaint is submitted to the Office of Student Conduct, which conducts a preliminary assessment. If the case proceeds, Notice is issued to the student specifying the nature of the conduct, the policy allegedly violated, and the right to an Advisor, with a 5-day deadline to contact the Office. Referrals to the Office must generally be made within one year of discovery of the alleged conduct (exceptions granted by the VCSA).

What sanctions can UCLA impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, disciplinary probation, deferred suspension, 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 UCLA, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UCLA is 10 days for most appeals (increased from 5 days under the previous code); 5 days to elect written contest for Suspension/Dismissal cases before a hearing. Appeals route depends on sanction severity. For Warning, Disciplinary Probation, and Deferred sanctions, appeals go to the Dean of Students within 10 days. For Suspension or Dismissal cases, the student first has 5 days to contest responsibility in writing; after the hearing, a post-hearing appeal goes to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (VCSA) within 10 days, and the VCSA's decision is final. Appeal grounds typically include new information that was not available at the time of the student conduct review or hearing, procedural error that materially affected the outcome, the sanction is disproportionate to the findings. 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 UCLA hearing?

Yes. Under Interim 2026 UCLA Student Conduct Code, students have the right to select an advisor of choice, or to request a university-provided advisor. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UCLA's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UCLA the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UCLA Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students proceeding?

In most cases, no. UCLA's proceedings follow university policy under Interim 2026 UCLA Student Conduct Code, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UCLA'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 UCLA handle Title IX cases?

UCLA handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the UCLA Civil Rights Office. UCLA restructured its Title IX function into the Civil Rights Office as part of broader UC system changes. Title IX and other civil-rights matters are handled under a separate procedural track from the Student Conduct Code. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UCLA, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does UCLA's School of Law have a separate conduct process?

Yes. UCLA School of Law at UCLA is handled through UCLA School of Law honor code process, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Law students are subject to a separate honor code administered 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 UCLA?

At UCLA, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating, including unauthorized ai use (102.01a); plagiarism, including ai-generated work without proper attribution (102.01c); fabrication of academic work or research data; disruption of university activities. 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 UCLA conduct case?

At UCLA, the most consequential deadlines are: Notice to contact Office of Student Conduct: 5 Days; Referral to Office of Student Conduct: within 1 year of discovery of the alleged conduct; Student Conduct Review target completion: generally within 90 business days of Notice. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Student Conduct / Dean of Students, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.