University of Memphis Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Two-track academic misconduct resolution: faculty and student may resolve the matter jointly through a Resolution and Report Form, or, if they cannot agree on findings, conclusions, or sanctions, the case is referred to OSA for investigation and potential SCB hearing

Students who accept responsibility via a resolution agreement waive all rights to a hearing and to appeal that decision

Students found responsible for multiple acts of academic misconduct may be subject to suspension from the University

Students on disciplinary probation who commit subsequent violations face minimum sanction escalation to suspension or expulsion

A student placed on interim removal may be assigned a grade of W or I at the faculty member's discretion; violation of interim removal terms can result in trespasser status

Graduate and professional students accused of academic misconduct are normally reviewed for retention and/or removal, even for a first-time violation

Graduate or professional programs may initiate separate academic retention processes for violations of professional standards or ethics

Students who withdraw or take a leave of absence with a pending disciplinary matter receive a hold preventing re-enrollment until the matter is resolved

The current Student Code became effective October 18, 2021; the prior Code remains archived and applies to incidents before that date

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Memphis?

Student Conduct Board (SCB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Memphis. The Student Conduct Board consists of one voting Chairperson and two voting members appointed ad hoc for each hearing by the Director of OSA, with all classifications of the University community (students, faculty, and staff) represented by at least one voting member. The Chairperson must be a University faculty member, staff employee, or contractor who has received OSA training on how to conduct an SCB Hearing. The Office of Student Accountability (OSA) administers the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities over all enrolled students, covering academic integrity violations, classroom disruptive behavior, and student organizational misconduct. The Code applies to conduct on and off University property, from the time of admission through the awarding of a degree.

What is the evidence standard at Memphis?

Memphis applies Preponderance of the evidence: OSA issues a Notice of Allegations when it concludes it is more likely than not that the respondent violated the Behavioral Expectations and Responsibilities under Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities (Chapter 0240-10-06 of the Rules of the University of Memphis). Student 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 Memphis conduct proceeding?

Under Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, students facing a Student Conduct Board proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice of allegations and the basis for OSA concluding a violation is more likely than not; request a formal SCB hearing within five business days of receiving a Notice of Allegations; Advance notice of SCB Hearing at least ten business days before the hearing date; the assistance and support of an Advisor during the SCB 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 Memphis?

OSA may initiate the student conduct process based on written allegations received from any source, including a student, faculty member, University residence life employee, or law enforcement agency. OSA may also initiate a case on its own if it becomes aware through other means of potential misconduct. For academic misconduct, an instructor notifies the student via University email, meets with the student within approximately five business days, and either resolves the matter jointly by completing a Resolution and Report Form or refers the case to OSA for investigation. A student may not drop or withdraw from a course once accused of academic misconduct until the matter is resolved.

What sanctions can Memphis impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct Board can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including disciplinary warning: imposed for a first academic misconduct violation; lasts one full academic year, disciplinary probation: imposed for a second academic misconduct violation or moderate general misconduct; lasts one full academic year; conditions may be placed on continued enrollment; subsequent violations may result in suspension or expulsion, deferred suspension: student remains enrolled but any subsequent violation triggers a minimum sanction of 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 Memphis, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Memphis is Five business days from notification of the Academic Integrity Committee's decision (for academic misconduct appeals to the University Committee on Student Conduct); SCB general misconduct appeal deadline is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. A respondent may appeal a Student Conduct Board decision by submitting a Notice of Appeal that OSA must receive within ten business days of the date OSA transmitted the Notice of Decision; the appeal is reviewed by an Appeal Reader, or for serious sanctions such as suspension, expulsion, or degree revocation the respondent may instead request a contested case hearing under state law. Appeals are limited to grounds of material procedural error, newly discovered information substantially affecting the outcome, or bias or conflict of interest by an SCB member. Appeal grounds typically include unverified: needs human research for scb-level general misconduct appeal grounds, academic misconduct appeals: written letter of appeal to the university committee on student conduct. 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 Memphis hearing?

Yes. Under Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, students have the right to the assistance and support of an advisor during the scb hearing. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Memphis's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Memphis the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Memphis Student Conduct Board proceeding?

In most cases, no. Memphis's proceedings follow university policy under Student Code of Rights and Responsibilities, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands Memphis'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 Memphis handle Title IX cases?

Memphis handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Office for Institutional Equity (OIE) / Office for Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX. The Director of the Office for Institutional Equity serves as the University's Title IX Coordinator and oversees all Title IX activities and deputy coordinators. The office is located at 156 Administration Building, Memphis, TN 38152-3370, phone 901.678.2713, email oie@memphis.edu. A Deputy Title IX Coordinator is located at the Lambuth Campus in Jackson, Tennessee. The University operates under an Interim Sexual Harassment and Sexual/Gender-Based Misconduct Policy while a new Title IX policy is being finalized in response to updated U.S. Department of Education regulations. All faculty, administrators, and most University staff are mandatory reporters of sexual misconduct. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Memphis, 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 Memphis?

At Memphis, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism: adoption or reproduction of ideas, words, statements, images, or works of another without proper attribution, including reuse of one's own previously submitted academic work (self-plagiarism); cheating and academic dishonesty; attempting to influence or change academic evaluation or record through dishonesty, coercion, threat, or intimidation; disruptive classroom behavior: outbursts inhibiting instruction, failure to maintain classroom decorum, persistent use of disturbing devices. 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 Memphis conduct case?

At Memphis, the most consequential deadlines are: 5 business days: respondent must elect a formal SCB hearing after receiving a Notice of Allegations, or the right to a hearing is waived; 10 business days: minimum advance notice OSA must provide before a scheduled SCB Hearing; 5 business days: witnesses not already identified must be submitted to OSA in writing before the SCB Hearing. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct Board, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.