University of California San Francisco Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

UCSF is a graduate and professional health sciences university only, with no undergraduate students; all students are in health professions or research programs, and student conduct is explicitly considered part of a student's academic performance

Academic misconduct and professionalism violations are handled by each School separately under school-specific policies and Academic Senate Appendix VII, not through the central Student Conduct office, creating a dual-track system

The UCSF Campus Code of Conduct articulates shared community values and ethical practices across faculty, staff, students, and trainees, reflecting the institution's clinical and research mission

Research misconduct is separately handled by the campus Research Integrity Officer (RIO) under UCSF Campus Administrative Policy 400-24 and the UC Policy on Integrity in Research

Respondent Services is available as a dedicated non-confidential support resource for students navigating the conduct process

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UCSF?

Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor (N/A) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UCSF. The Dean or designee serves as the primary decision-maker. For formal hearings on academic misconduct (e.g., School of Pharmacy model), an ad hoc Hearing Committee composed of two faculty members appointed by the Dean and two students appointed by the student body president, with the student body president serving as Hearing Chair, is convened. For suspension or dismissal appeals, the Appeal Body is composed of the Vice Chancellor of Education and Student Affairs (or designee) and two staff or faculty members nominated by that Vice Chancellor. All enrolled UCSF students across all schools (Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Graduate Division) for violations of PACAOS 100.00 Grounds for Discipline 102.02 to 102.25 and 102.27 (non-academic/non-professionalism misconduct); academic misconduct and professionalism cases handled separately by each School under PACAOS 102.01 and Academic Senate Appendix VII.

What is the evidence standard at UCSF?

UCSF applies Preponderance of the evidence, defined as more likely to be true than not under UCSF Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline (campus implementing regulations for PACAOS Section 100.00 and Appendix H); University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS) (PACAOS Section 100.00; Grounds for Discipline 102.01 through 102.27). Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor 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 UCSF conduct proceeding?

Under UCSF Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline (campus implementing regulations for PACAOS Section 100.00 and Appendix H); University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS), students facing a Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of allegations, including the factual basis of charges and policies allegedly violated; an Advisor at all stages of the process; review evidence and supporting documentation prior to any hearing; present information, call witnesses, and respond to the allegations. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UCSF?

Any member of the campus community may report an incident involving a UCSF student or student organization using the Student Conduct reporting form on the Student Life website. Anonymous reports are accepted but may restrict the University's ability to initiate the conduct process. Upon receiving a report, the Student Conduct Administrator reviews available facts and issues a Notice of Allegations. For academic misconduct, a faculty member who observes or receives notice of alleged misconduct gathers relevant information, meets with the student, and, if merit is found, refers the matter to the Dean or Dean's designee, who then meets with the student, presents the allegation and supporting documentation, and requests a plea.

What sanctions can UCSF impose for academic misconduct?

Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including formal written warning, disciplinary probation, suspension for a specified period, 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 UCSF, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UCSF is 10 business days from receipt of the Dean's (or Student Conduct's) decision for student conduct and academic misconduct appeals; 10 working days from notification of dismissal for academic dismissal appeals under Appendix VII. For student conduct cases, a student who does not accept an Administrative Resolution that does not include suspension or dismissal may appeal in writing to Student Conduct within 10 days of issuance. For matters involving suspension or dismissal, the Appeal Body is composed of the Vice Chancellor of Education and Student Affairs (or designee) and two staff or faculty members. For School-level academic misconduct decisions, the student may submit a written appeal to the Chancellor within 10 business days of receiving the Dean's decision; the Chancellor responds within 10 business days and the decision is final. For academic dismissal appeals under Academic Senate Appendix VII, the appeal is made in writing to the Dean within 10 working days of notification of dismissal; the Dean's decision is final. Appeal grounds typically include new information not available at the time of the hearing, the absence of which can be shown to have materially affected the outcome, procedural error in the process that materially affected the outcome, proposed sanction is disproportionate given the findings of fact, 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 UCSF hearing?

Yes. Under UCSF Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline (campus implementing regulations for PACAOS Section 100.00 and Appendix H); University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS), students have the right to an advisor at all stages of the process. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UCSF's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UCSF the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UCSF Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor proceeding?

In most cases, no. UCSF's proceedings follow university policy under UCSF Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline (campus implementing regulations for PACAOS Section 100.00 and Appendix H); University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations and Students (PACAOS), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UCSF'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 UCSF handle Title IX cases?

UCSF handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination (OPHD). OPHD serves as UCSF's Title IX office. The Title IX Coordinator is Tracey Tsugawa, Director and Title IX Coordinator, reachable at 415-502-3400 or ophd.ucsf.edu. OPHD responds to complaints of discrimination, harassment, sexual assault, sexual violence, stalking, and other behaviors prohibited by the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment and the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. Reports may be filed by email to [email protected] or by phone. Sexual violence and sexual harassment cases follow adjudication procedures in PACAOS Appendix H, separate from the standard student conduct process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UCSF, 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 UCSF?

At UCSF, the most frequently cited violations include: academic misconduct including cheating, fraud, or dishonesty in academic assignments (pacaos 102.01); plagiarism or submitting work that is not the student's own original work; fabricating or falsifying information, data, or grades; unauthorized collaboration on assignments or exams. 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 UCSF conduct case?

At UCSF, the most consequential deadlines are: Student conduct investigation generally concluded within 60 to 90 days of issuing a Notice of Allegations; Formal hearing held within 30 business days of the Dean's initial meeting with the accused student (school-level academic misconduct, e.g., School of Pharmacy); Minimum 10 business days advance written notice to student of hearing date, time, place, and Hearing Committee composition. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Dean (or Dean's Designee) of the Student's School or Graduate Division, with final authority vested in the Chancellor, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.