University of Alabama at Birmingham Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

UAB uses a dual-code system: the Academic Integrity Code (effective August 23, 2021) governs academic misconduct and the Student Conduct Code governs non-academic misconduct; the two processes operate separately.

Each school or college appoints one or more Academic Integrity Coordinators who administer the Academic Integrity Code within their unit and maintain centralized records of proceedings and resolutions.

The Academic Integrity Code expressly includes student representation on Hearing Panels (one student, two instructors/faculty/course managers), drawing on research that student leadership in integrity processes reduces academic dishonesty.

All incoming students are required to complete an Academic Integrity Code training course in Canvas; failure to meet the deadline results in a registration hold (coded AI) barring enrollment in subsequent semesters.

Conduct sanctions are not imposed until the final resolution of charges or until the appeal deadline has passed, unless interim action has been ordered.

Students may request expungement of conduct records during the semester of graduation or thereafter, subject to eligibility conditions.

The University Conduct Board can render a decision within five working days of the close of a hearing, and the Vice President for Student Affairs has final unreviewable authority over Board decisions.

Professional schools (medicine, dentistry, public health, etc.) may maintain supplemental honor codes or academic integrity policies; these must not be less restrictive than the University policy and must be approved by the dean.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UAB?

University Conduct Board (UCB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UAB. Undergraduate and graduate students appointed by the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Governments, plus faculty and staff members appointed by the Director of Student Conduct. Student members serve one-year terms; faculty and staff members serve two-year terms. One faculty or staff appointee is elected by fellow members to serve as Chair. Extends to all students regardless of whether conduct occurs on University premises, off University premises, or at University-sponsored activities. Students are subject to the Code for any action that adversely affects or is detrimental to the University community. Academic misconduct cases are handled separately through the Academic Integrity Code process administered at the school or college level by Academic Integrity Coordinators.

What is the evidence standard at UAB?

UAB applies Preponderance of the evidence, defined as information that would lead a reasonable person to conclude it is more likely than not that a respondent violated the applicable code. Applies to both the Academic Integrity Code and the Student Conduct Code. under UAB Academic Integrity Code (academic misconduct) and UAB Student Conduct Code (non-academic misconduct) (UNVERIFIED: needs human research). University Conduct Board 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 UAB conduct proceeding?

Under UAB Academic Integrity Code (academic misconduct) and UAB Student Conduct Code (non-academic misconduct), students facing a University Conduct Board proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Specific written notice of charges, possible sanctions, and a link to the applicable Code at least five business days prior to a Conference or Hearing (Academic Integrity Code); inspect the case file prior to and during a Conference or Hearing; present evidence, supporting witnesses, and other information pertinent to the matter; be accompanied by a support person or attorney throughout any element of the conduct proceeding (attorney fees are solely the student's responsibility). Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UAB?

For academic misconduct: an instructor or any community member who suspects a violation reports to the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC) of the relevant school or college, or directly to the instructor. Reports may be submitted online. The AIC determines the appropriate method of resolution. For non-academic conduct: a complaint is filed with an appropriate University official, who then initiates an investigation. The student receives an Initial Notification listing potential charges, notice of the right to a support person or attorney, and a request to schedule a Preliminary Meeting.

What sanctions can UAB impose for academic misconduct?

University Conduct Board can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including academic integrity code: academic integrity workshop, student conduct code: conduct warning; conduct probation. 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 UAB, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UAB is Non-academic conduct: five working days from receipt of Case Adjudication Letter to submit appeal to Director of Student Conduct; five working days from receipt of Appeal Findings Letter to escalate to the University Conduct Board; five working days from the Board's written decision to submit supplemental statements to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Academic misconduct (school-level): two weeks from notification of the instructor's judgment to appeal to department chair; two weeks from the chair's decision to appeal to the Dean (where a grade of F has been imposed).. Non-academic conduct: A student has five working days from the Case Adjudication Letter to submit a written appeal letter to the Office of Student Conduct. The Director of Student Conduct reviews the appeal and issues an Appeal Findings Letter. If the student still does not accept the outcome, the case is transferred within five working days to the University Conduct Board for a formal hearing. After the Board issues its written decision, each party has five working days to submit supplemental written statements to the Vice President for Student Affairs or designee, whose decision is final and unreviewable. Academic misconduct: Under certain school or college policies, a student may appeal an instructor's finding of academic misconduct by written letter to the department chair within two weeks of notification. If a grade of F for the course is imposed and the student has completed the departmental appeal, a further written appeal to the Dean of the responsible school is available within two weeks of the chair's decision. The Dean's decision is final at that level. Appeal grounds typically include whether the evidence provides a reasonable basis for the resulting findings and conduct sanctions (student conduct code)., whether specified procedural errors were so substantial as to deny a fair hearing to the respondent (student conduct code)., whether there was bias, capricious action, or an abuse of discretion (student conduct code)., 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 UAB hearing?

Yes. Under UAB Academic Integrity Code (academic misconduct) and UAB Student Conduct Code (non-academic misconduct), students have the right to be accompanied by a support person or attorney throughout any element of the conduct proceeding (attorney fees are solely the student's responsibility). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UAB's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UAB the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UAB University Conduct Board proceeding?

In most cases, no. UAB's proceedings follow university policy under UAB Academic Integrity Code (academic misconduct) and UAB Student Conduct Code (non-academic misconduct), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UAB'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 UAB handle Title IX cases?

UAB handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the UAB Title IX Office. Located at Administration Building, Suite 330, 701 20th St. South, Birmingham, AL 35233. Phone: 205-996-1340. Email: titleixoffice@uab.edu. The office is led by the Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. Deputy Title IX Coordinators are designated across campus units. Reports of Prohibited Conduct may be submitted in person, by mail, by phone, by email, or anonymously via the UAB Ethics Hotline at 1-866-362-9476 (24/7). The University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex including gender-based assault, harassment, exploitation, dating and domestic violence, stalking, and related retaliation, and operates a separate Title IX grievance process from the general 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 UAB, 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 UAB?

At UAB, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating: use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, the answers of others, or computer-related information on academic exercises; plagiarism: presenting another person's ideas, words, data, computer programs, or creative work as one's own without proper attribution; fabrication: presenting as genuine any invented or falsified citation, data, or material; facilitating academic dishonesty: knowingly or intentionally providing help to another student to commit an act of academic misconduct. 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 UAB conduct case?

At UAB, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic Integrity Code: Student must receive specific notice of charges at least five business days before a Conference or Hearing; Student Conduct Code: Findings Meeting must occur within five working days of the Preliminary Meeting; Student Conduct Code: Student has five working days from the Case Adjudication Letter to submit an appeal letter to the Office of Student Conduct. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from University Conduct Board, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.