University of California, Riverside Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

UCR operates a two-track system: SCAIP handles social or behavioral misconduct directly, while academic misconduct follows a separate UCR Academic Senate-governed process with school or college-level Academic Integrity Committees.

The Campus Academic Integrity Executive Committee, chaired by a designee of the Vice Provost for Administrative Resolution, serves as the final appellate body for undergraduate academic integrity Stage 2 decisions and also reviews all AIC actions annually to ensure proper application of policies.

Academic integrity violations are tiered (Level One, Two, and Three) based on severity, with sanctioning guidelines calibrated accordingly, ranging from educational activities for inexperienced first-time offenders to suspension or dismissal for egregious or repeat violations.

Graduate student academic misconduct is administered entirely separately by the Graduate Division, with its own Graduate Academic Integrity Committee (GAIC) whose faculty members serve three-year terms.

Under the interim PACAOS Appendix H framework (effective January 1, 2026), UCR procedures were revised; students should confirm whether their case was initiated before or after January 1, 2026, as different procedural rules may apply.

Suspension notations appear on the transcript only for the duration of the suspension and are removed afterward; dismissal notations are permanent.

Disciplinary records (other than suspensions and dismissals) are kept separately from academic records and retained for seven years after the date of the last violation.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UC Riverside?

Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs (SCAIP) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UC Riverside. SCAIP staff (Student Conduct Officers) administer most cases through Administrative Resolution. Formal hearings are conducted by the Student Conduct Committee (SCC), a panel of UCR students, faculty, and staff appointed by the Chancellor's delegation. For academic misconduct, College or School Academic Integrity Committees (AIC), composed of four to six faculty members per college appointed by the Academic Senate's Committee on Committees, hear complex, serious, or repeat violations. A Graduate Academic Integrity Committee (GAIC) handles graduate student cases. All enrolled UCR students, including those on approved leave, concurrent enrollment through University Extension, and former students for offenses committed while enrolled. SCAIP covers both academic misconduct (PACAOS 102.01) and non-academic social or behavioral misconduct. Graduate academic misconduct is administered separately by the Graduate Division. Housing misconduct is normally administered by Residential Life but may be referred to SCAIP.

What is the evidence standard at UC Riverside?

UC Riverside applies Preponderance of the evidence: it is more likely than not that the respondent violated the Standards. Hearing panels deliberate by majority vote. under University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS), Section 100, Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline; UCR Interim Student Conduct Procedures (modified pursuant to PACAOS Appendix H); and Academic Integrity for Students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR Academic Senate Appendix) (PACAOS Section 102.00 (Grounds for Discipline); UCR Standards of Conduct; PACAOS Appendix H (Student Conduct Investigation and Resolution Framework)). Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs 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 UC Riverside conduct proceeding?

Under University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS), Section 100, Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline; UCR Interim Student Conduct Procedures (modified pursuant to PACAOS Appendix H); and Academic Integrity for Students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR Academic Senate Appendix), students facing a Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged violations via email and/or letter; review information in your disciplinary file; an advisor of your choice (family member, friend, attorney, former coach, faculty member, etc.) who is not directly involved in the alleged incident; advisors may assist but may not represent you or speak on your behalf during the process; respond to allegations at an Administrative Review or SCC/AIC hearing. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UC Riverside?

Reports of alleged misconduct must be filed in writing through the online report form at the SCAIP website or in person at the SCAIP office. Faculty reporting academic misconduct must first meet with the student in person (or email the student within 30 calendar days of discovery, giving 14 calendar days to respond) and then submit an Academic Misconduct Referral form to SCAIP. SCAIP may also independently investigate misconduct from any source, including police or press reports, even without a formal complaint. Within 30 business days of receiving all necessary information, SCAIP conducts a preliminary assessment to determine whether the report falls within scope and whether the allegations, if true, may constitute a policy violation.

What sanctions can UC Riverside impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including written warning, disciplinary probation: imposed for a specified period; misconduct during probation may result in suspension or dismissal, loss of privileges and exclusion from activities: exclusion from designated privileges 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 UC Riverside, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UC Riverside is Social or behavioral conduct cases: 10 business days from written notification of the decision (SCAIP/SCC). Academic integrity cases: 14 calendar days from written decision (AIC and Campus Academic Integrity Executive Committee).. For social or behavioral misconduct (SCAIP or SCC decisions): the respondent may submit a written appeal to SCAIP addressed to the Dean of Students within 10 business days of written notification of the decision. The Dean of Students or designee serves as the Appeal Officer. The Dean forwards a copy to SCAIP and the other party, who may submit a written response within 5 working days. For academic integrity cases (Stage 1, SCAIP administrative decisions): appeals are made in writing within 14 calendar days of the written decision to the School or College Academic Integrity Committee; appellate decisions of the AIC are final. For Stage 2 academic integrity cases (AIC decisions): appeals are made to the Campus Academic Integrity Executive Committee, whose decisions are final. Appeals are paper reviews only; the student does not meet with the appellate body again. Filing a timely appeal suspends imposition of sanctions pending the outcome. Grades and degrees are withheld pending conclusion of the appeal. Possible outcomes: original decision upheld, modified, or overturned. Appeal grounds typically include new evidence not reasonably available at the time of the original hearing, the absence of which can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome, procedural error that can be shown to have had a detrimental impact on the outcome of the hearing, errors in the interpretation of university policy so substantial as to deny one of the parties a fair hearing, 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 UC Riverside hearing?

Yes. Under University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS), Section 100, Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline; UCR Interim Student Conduct Procedures (modified pursuant to PACAOS Appendix H); and Academic Integrity for Students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR Academic Senate Appendix), students have the right to an advisor of your choice (family member, friend, attorney, former coach, faculty member, etc.) who is not directly involved in the alleged incident; advisors may assist but may not represent you or speak on your behalf during the process. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UC Riverside's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UC Riverside the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UC Riverside Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs proceeding?

In most cases, no. UC Riverside's proceedings follow university policy under University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (PACAOS), Section 100, Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline; UCR Interim Student Conduct Procedures (modified pursuant to PACAOS Appendix H); and Academic Integrity for Students at the University of California, Riverside (UCR Academic Senate Appendix), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UC Riverside'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 UC Riverside handle Title IX cases?

UC Riverside handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office of Civil Rights (formerly the Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action). Located at 1100 Hinderaker Hall, UC Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521. Phone: (951) 827-7070. Email: civilrights@ucr.edu. Website: titleix.ucr.edu. The office enforces the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (SVSH Policy) and the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy. Sexual violence and harassment cases against students follow a separate process under the SVSH Policy and PACAOS Appendix H or E in lieu of the standard SCAIP procedures. The office is part of the UC Systemwide Office of Civil Rights (SOCR) structure created in 2024. Title IX Officer: Holly Hare (AVC and Title IX Officer). Respondent services coordinators are available to help students understand their rights and navigate the investigation and adjudication process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UC Riverside, 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 UC Riverside?

At UC Riverside, the most frequently cited violations include: cheating (pacaos 102.01): using or attempting to use unauthorized materials in an academic assignment; plagiarism (pacaos 102.01): appropriating another person's ideas, words, or results without attribution, including self-plagiarism; fabrication or falsification (pacaos 102.01): making up or manipulating data, results, or academic documents; facilitating academic dishonesty (pacaos 102.01): assisting others in any form 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 UC Riverside conduct case?

At UC Riverside, the most consequential deadlines are: Faculty must meet with or email the student within 30 calendar days of discovering alleged academic misconduct; student is given 14 calendar days to respond; SCAIP typically completes preliminary assessment within 30 business days of receiving all necessary information; Respondent must be notified at least 10 business days before a scheduled SCC hearing. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct & Academic Integrity Programs, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.