University of Texas at Austin Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

UT Austin consolidates academic integrity and non-academic conduct under one office, Student Conduct and Academic Integrity in the Office of the Dean of Students, making the administrative process more uniform than at peer institutions that split these tracks

Chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities is the single governing document for both tracks, with Section 11-505 dedicated to academic misconduct

Students in an academic misconduct process receive an 'X' (Incomplete) grade during the pendency of the case rather than a failing grade, this is a distinctive protection that preserves the student's standing until adjudication

Students are permitted to complete all assignments and attend classes until the case is resolved, meaning the conduct process does not itself remove the student from the classroom

UT Austin explicitly uses 'preponderance of the evidence' as its evidence standard, defined in student-facing materials as 'more likely to have occurred than not'

UT Austin School of Law

UT Law Student Affairs Office honor and conduct procedures

Law students are subject to separate professional conduct procedures administered within the School of Law.

Dell Medical School

Dell Medical School Academic Performance Committee and professional standards

Medical students face academic progression and professionalism review through Dell in addition to any university-level misconduct proceeding.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at UT Austin?

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students (SCAI) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at UT Austin. Student Conduct and Academic Integrity sits within the Office of the Dean of Students and administers both academic integrity and non-academic conduct. A conduct administrator is assigned to each case. Contested matters may proceed to a hearing before a designated hearing officer or panel per Chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules. Violations of the UT Austin Code of Conduct and Student Honor Code as set forth in Chapter 11 (Student Conduct and Academic Integrity) of the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities.

What is the evidence standard at UT Austin?

UT Austin applies Preponderance of the evidence, the alleged violation is 'more likely to have occurred than not' under Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, Chapter 11 (Student Conduct and Academic Integrity) (Appendix C, Chapter 11, academic misconduct procedures at Section 11-505). Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students 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 UT Austin conduct proceeding?

Under Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, Chapter 11 (Student Conduct and Academic Integrity), students facing a Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the allegations and the specific Institutional Rule violations; complete all assignments and attend classes until the academic misconduct process is resolved; an Incomplete ('X') grade in the course during the pendency of proceedings; accept responsibility at the initial meeting or contest the charges. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at UT Austin?

When a referral regarding an alleged violation is received, a conduct administrator sends a letter notifying the student of a scheduled meeting. The notice typically includes the date, time, and location of the incident and the alleged Institutional Rule violations. Students engaged in the academic misconduct process must be permitted to complete all assignments and attend classes until the matter is resolved, and they receive an Incomplete ('X') grade in the course until the conduct process concludes.

What sanctions can UT Austin impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including oral or written warning, disciplinary probation, suspension of rights and privileges, 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.

Can I appeal a decision at UT Austin?

Yes. Appeals are filed per Chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules. Grounds are limited and the deadline is specified in the outcome letter. For cases involving suspension or expulsion, appeals are reviewed by the appropriate appellate authority identified in Chapter 11. Appeal grounds typically include procedural error that affected the outcome, new information that was not reasonably available at the time of the original proceeding, sanction disproportionate to the conduct found. The specific appeal deadline is set out in the outcome letter, and it is usually short, often 5 to 10 business days from the date of the decision.

Can I bring an advisor to my UT Austin hearing?

Yes. Under Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, Chapter 11 (Student Conduct and Academic Integrity), students have the right to an advisor of choice. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate UT Austin's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at UT Austin the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a UT Austin Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students proceeding?

In most cases, no. UT Austin's proceedings follow university policy under Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities, Chapter 11 (Student Conduct and Academic Integrity), not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands UT Austin'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 UT Austin handle Title IX cases?

UT Austin handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the UT Austin Office for Civil Rights Compliance (Title IX). Title IX and sex-based misconduct complaints are handled through the Office for Civil Rights Compliance under UT Austin's Title IX policy, separately from the Chapter 11 conduct process. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at UT Austin, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

Does UT Austin's School of Law have a separate conduct process?

Yes. UT Austin School of Law at UT Austin is handled through UT Law Student Affairs Office honor and conduct procedures, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Law students are subject to separate professional conduct procedures administered within the School of Law. This matters because professional school findings carry licensure implications, and the remediation and appeal pathways are different from the undergraduate process.

What are the most common academic misconduct violations at UT Austin?

At UT Austin, the most frequently cited violations include: scholastic dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, fabrication (chapter 11); unauthorized collaboration on individual work; unauthorized use of ai tools on graded assignments; alcohol and controlled substance violations. 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 UT Austin conduct case?

At UT Austin, the most consequential deadlines are: Initial response to conduct administrator's notice: per the meeting date specified; Appeal deadline: specified in the outcome letter, per Chapter 11; 'X' (Incomplete) grade maintained during the pendency of an academic misconduct case. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct and Academic Integrity, Office of the Dean of Students, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.