University of California San Diego Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

UCSD uses a transparent, published point-based Administrative Sanctioning Guidelines system for academic integrity violations, allowing students and faculty to predict likely sanctions before a case is resolved

The Office of Student Conduct was officially renamed the Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education (SAGE) on September 15, 2023, reflecting an explicit educational and restorative philosophy

UCSD maintains a dual-track system: the Academic Integrity Office (AIO) handles all academic misconduct under the Academic Integrity Policy, while SAGE handles all non-academic misconduct under PPM 160-10 and PACAOS

Effective January 1, 2026, new interim PACAOS Appendix H revisions restrict formal live hearings to students facing suspension or dismissal; all other contested cases proceed via written appeal only

UCSD publicly publishes its Sanctioning Guidelines, including the point-value rubric, online, which is uncommon among peer institutions

An 'X' grade placeholder is assigned to a course while an academic integrity case is pending resolution; the grade does not appear on the official transcript until the case is closed

Students dismissed from UCSD are dismissed from the entire University of California system for 50 years

SAGE offers restorative justice and alternative resolution pathways including mediated dialogue and educational agreements as alternatives to formal adjudication

The Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB) is a mixed faculty-student panel, providing peer participation in academic integrity adjudication

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UCSD?

Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education (SAGE) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UCSD. SAGE professional staff serve as Student Conduct Officers for Administrative Resolutions. Formal Student Conduct Reviews are conducted before the Community Standards Board (a panel of students, faculty, and staff) or a single Review Officer. For academic integrity cases, the Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB) hears contested matters. A Review I panel consists of 1 faculty and 1 student member; a Review II panel consists of 3 faculty, 1 undergraduate, and 1 graduate student member. Non-academic student conduct of all UC San Diego undergraduate, graduate, professional school, and Extended Studies students and student organizations occurring on University Property or at University-Supported Activities, as well as off-campus conduct that adversely affects the UC San Diego community as determined by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Academic misconduct is governed separately by the Academic Integrity Office (AIO) under the UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy.

What is the evidence standard at UCSD?

UCSD applies Preponderance of evidence (more likely than not that the violation occurred, described as 50% plus a feather) under UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy (academic misconduct) and UC San Diego Student Conduct Procedures, PPM 160-10 (non-academic misconduct), both implementing the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS) Section 100.00 and Appendix H (PPM 160-10 (non-academic conduct); PACAOS Section 100.00 and Appendix H (UC systemwide)). Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education 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 UCSD conduct proceeding?

Under UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy (academic misconduct) and UC San Diego Student Conduct Procedures, PPM 160-10 (non-academic misconduct), both implementing the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS) Section 100.00 and Appendix H, students facing a Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged violation; be heard and to accept or deny responsibility; select one advisor (internally provided by UC San Diego or externally sourced) to assist during the process; a SAGE-assigned Respondent Support Advisor for non-academic cases at no cost. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UCSD?

For academic integrity cases, an instructor who suspects a violation submits an Allegation Report to the Academic Integrity Office (AIO). The instructor may first file an Intent to Report, which immediately restricts the student from dropping the course or changing grading options. The AIO then contacts the student for a Case Coordinator Meeting with a Resolution Appropriate Administrative Authority (Resolution AAA). For non-academic conduct, any member of the community may submit an Incident Report to SAGE. SAGE assigns a Student Conduct Officer who schedules an Administrative Resolution Meeting with the respondent.

What sanctions can UCSD impose for academic misconduct?

Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic sanctions imposed by the instructor: zero on the assessment up to an f in the course; the grade is calculated into gpa even if the course is retaken, administrative fee: $50 academic integrity administrative fee assessed for every ai violation, required after education training: mandatory ethics lab, 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 UCSD, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UCSD is Academic integrity appeals: must be submitted within 10 business days of receiving the sanction letter (by 4:30 p.m. on the tenth business day). Non-academic conduct appeals: must be submitted to SAGE within 10 business days of the date of the resolution letter (by 4:30 p.m. on the tenth business day). SVSH sanction proportionality appeals: within 10 business days of notification of sanction imposition. Students may request a timeline extension at least 10 business days before the appeal deadline.. For academic integrity cases, students may appeal to the Appeal Appropriate Administrative Authority (Appeal AAA). Only one appeal per type may be submitted. For non-academic conduct cases, students found responsible at a Student Conduct Review may appeal to the Council of Provosts (undergraduate students) or the Dean of the Graduate Division (graduate students) by submitting an Appeal Form to SAGE. Appeals are decided on a written-record basis; no in-person appearance before the appeal body is required. Appeal decisions are typically issued within 10 business days of receipt of a complete appeal. For SVSH cases, either party may contest the investigator's preliminary determination within 20 business days; sanction proportionality may be appealed within 10 business days of notification. Appeal grounds typically include the stated procedures were not followed (procedural error), newly discovered important evidence that has substantial bearing on the determination of the review panel, sanctions are out of line with the sanctioning guidelines (sanction proportionality), 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 UCSD hearing?

Yes. Under UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy (academic misconduct) and UC San Diego Student Conduct Procedures, PPM 160-10 (non-academic misconduct), both implementing the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS) Section 100.00 and Appendix H, students have the right to select one advisor (internally provided by uc san diego or externally sourced) to assist during the process. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UCSD's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UCSD the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UCSD Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education proceeding?

In most cases, no. UCSD's proceedings follow university policy under UC San Diego Academic Integrity Policy (academic misconduct) and UC San Diego Student Conduct Procedures, PPM 160-10 (non-academic misconduct), both implementing the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS) Section 100.00 and Appendix H, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UCSD'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 UCSD handle Title IX cases?

UCSD handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). OPHD serves as UCSD's Title IX office and is responsible for assessing and investigating reports of discrimination or harassment, including sexual violence and sexual harassment (SVSH). OPHD can be reached at (858) 534-8298 or ophd@ucsd.edu, located at 201 University Center on the main campus. All non-confidential university employees are mandatory reporters to OPHD. SVSH cases follow a separate adjudication track under PACAOS Appendix E/F (UC SVSH Student Investigation and Adjudication Framework), administered through SAGE in coordination with OPHD. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UCSD, 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 UCSD?

At UCSD, the most frequently cited violations include: assignment or homework misconduct (working on an independent assignment with others; copying another student's assignment); exam misconduct (copying from a neighbor's exam; using an unauthorized aid such as notes or a phone); plagiarism (submitting work containing material copied from an unattributed source); falsification or fabrication (altering a graded exam and resubmitting for re-grade; presenting a false excuse to delay an assessment). 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 UCSD conduct case?

At UCSD, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic integrity Review Request: student must submit within 5 business days of the Case Coordinator Meeting to contest responsibility; Documentation submission for Academic Integrity Review: 10 business days after submitting the Review Request; Notice of scheduled Academic Integrity Review: provided at least 10 business days before the review date. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Center for Student Accountability, Growth, and Education, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.