University of New Hampshire Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Academic integrity is handled separately from general student conduct, with faculty instructor having initial determination authority

University disciplinary processes are explicitly not legal proceedings and do not adopt rules governing civil or criminal proceedings

Philosophy grounded in restorative justice principles with emphasis on reflection, accountability, and ethical development

Separate Title IX process handled by Civil Rights & Equity Office for sexual misconduct and discrimination cases

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UNH?

Office of Community Standards (OCS) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UNH. Hearing Panel composed of trained faculty, staff, and student panelists; Director of Community Standards serves as Chief Student Conduct Officer and Sanctioning Authority Interprets and enforces the Student Code of Conduct and administers the university-wide conduct system for alleged academic and non-academic misconduct involving UNH students

What is the evidence standard at UNH?

UNH applies Preponderance of Evidence: it is more likely than not that the alleged behavior violated the Code of Conduct; burden of proof is upon the University under Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities Handbook and Student Code of Conduct (Published annually by the Dean of Students; policies undergo regular reviews with non-substantial changes occurring annually). Office of Community Standards 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 UNH conduct proceeding?

Under Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities Handbook and Student Code of Conduct, students facing a Office of Community Standards proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to be informed of alleged violation with evidence supporting it; respond to allegations; have an advisor present (non-testifying support role); review investigation materials and draft reports. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UNH?

Any member of the University community may file a Report of Violation electronically with Community Standards. The Director conducts a preliminary review to determine if there is jurisdiction to adjudicate the complaint and to what extent.

What sanctions can UNH impose for academic misconduct?

Office of Community Standards can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including formal warning, university housing probation, administrative room or building reassignment, 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 UNH, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at UNH is Students must submit appeal petition within timeframe specified in outcome letter; Review Officer decision is typically within twenty calendar days of receipt of appeal. For academic integrity violations, students may appeal formal academic penalties that meet the appeal threshold. The Review Officer determines if the appeal adequately fits the appeal grounds. If approved, the Review Officer convenes a committee (typically within twenty calendar days) to review the appeal. For Undergraduate Students, the Undergraduate Academic Integrity Committee (UAIC) chaired by the Dean of Students; for Graduate Students, the Graduate Council Student Affairs Committee (GCSAC) chaired by the Associate Dean of the Graduate School. For non-academic conduct matters, students may appeal findings and sanctions through the Student Code of Conduct appeals process. Appeal grounds typically include appeal must meet appeal threshold for academic integrity violations, unverified: needs human research - specific grounds for non-academic conduct appeals. 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 UNH hearing?

Yes. Under Student Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities Handbook and Student Code of Conduct, students have the right to have an advisor present (non-testifying support role). AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UNH's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UNH the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UNH Office of Community Standards proceeding?

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

UNH handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the Civil Rights & Equity Office (CREO). Director & Title IX Coordinator is Bo Zaryckyj, located at 105 Main St., Thompson Hall, Durham, NH 03824-3547. Phone: (603) 862-2930. Email: bo.zaryckyj@unh.edu. Responsible for Title IX compliance, responding to complaints of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence. Title IX complaints follow separate Sexual Misconduct Policy rather than general Student Code of Conduct process. Mandatory reporters must report directly to Title IX Coordinator. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UNH, 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 UNH?

At UNH, the most frequently cited violations include: academic misconduct: plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized use of artificial intelligence, misrepresentation of work or knowledge; alcohol violations: possession or consumption while underage, excessive consumption behaviors, distribution; drugs and controlled substances: possession, consumption, manufacturing, distribution; disruption to academic environment or community: behavior that interferes with maintenance of order and routine operations. 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 UNH conduct case?

At UNH, the most consequential deadlines are: Academic misconduct reports: UNVERIFIED: needs human research; Appeal for academic penalties: within specified timeframe in outcome letter; Review Officer convenes appeal committee: typically within twenty calendar days of receipt of appeal. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Office of Community Standards, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.