University of the Pacific Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

Educational focus: student conduct process is grounded in educational mission; students given opportunities to become citizen leaders

Support persons can assist students during hearings but advisors cannot speak on behalf of student

Separate Student Academic Grievance Board for grade-related grievances, convened within 21 calendar days

Vice President of Student Life has final and binding authority to withdraw, defer, suspend, or confirm decisions and sanctions

Parents/guardians of students under 21 notified of alcohol and drug violations

Interim suspension possible prior to hearing if student poses safety risk or ongoing threat to operations

Clear and convincing evidence standard required for dismissal (higher standard than typical preponderance)

Who handles academic misconduct cases at Pacific?

Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer (SCRB) has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at Pacific. SCRB may include student and staff members; hearings may be with hearing officer or review board depending on circumstances. For higher-level sanctions, a Board with at least three members including both staff and students must review and uphold, modify, or overturn the sanctions. Conduct on or adjacent to Stockton campus or at any University-operated program, premises or facility, including study abroad programs, internships, athletic events, campus trips, and any other activity occurring in the scope of or fairly related to students' relationship with the University. Applies to all undergraduate, professional, and graduate students.

What is the evidence standard at Pacific?

Pacific applies Preponderance of the evidence. A student will be found responsible if it is more likely than not they violated the Student Code of Conduct or University Policies. under Tiger Lore Student Code of Conduct and Honor Code (Section 40 (Judicial Process and Code provisions)). Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer 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 Pacific conduct proceeding?

Under Tiger Lore Student Code of Conduct and Honor Code, students facing a Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to Written notice of charges and a copy of the Student Code of Conduct; Scheduled hearing with hearing officer or board; Reasonable access to case file prior to and during hearing (written request required); Opportunity to be heard and present response to allegations. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at Pacific?

Incident report submitted to Student Conduct and Community Standards Office or Director of Judicial Affairs. Hearing convened if sufficient evidentiary information suggests a code violation may have occurred. Charge letter issued to respondent. All timelines are suggested and may be extended for just cause.

What sanctions can Pacific impose for academic misconduct?

Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including warning, probation for designated period with likelihood of more severe sanctions if violations occur during probationary period, loss of 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.

How do I appeal a decision at Pacific, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at Pacific is UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Student receives email notification of hearing outcome and sanctions. Written appeal submitted via provided link explaining which grounds apply. Appellate Board reviews verbatim record, supporting documents, and may meet with respondent. Appellate Board may affirm, reverse, modify, or dismiss case. Appeal grounds typically include whether student conduct board hearing was conducted fairly in light of alleged violations and information presented, and in conformity with prescribed procedures; procedural error acceptable only if so substantial as to effectively deny respondent fair hearing, whether the sanctions imposed were appropriate for the violation, whether the decision was based on substantial information sufficient to establish violation, 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 Pacific hearing?

Yes. Under Tiger Lore Student Code of Conduct and Honor Code, students have the right to have a support person assist in navigating the process. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate Pacific's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at Pacific the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a Pacific Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer proceeding?

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

Pacific handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the UNVERIFIED: needs human research. Title IX Reporting Form available for reports involving sexual misconduct, relationship or interpersonal violence, stalking, or gender-based harassment. Reports directed to TitleIX@pacific.edu. Separate Title IX procedures exist with different hearing rights and appeal processes for Faculty and Student Respondents. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at Pacific, 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 Pacific?

At Pacific, the most frequently cited violations include: violation of honor code, including cheating, plagiarism, or other academic dishonesty; cheating: willful giving or receiving of unauthorized or dishonest advantage; includes fraud, deception, using unauthorized resources, lying to instructor, submitting same work in multiple classes without approval, removing tests without approval, altering answers, looking at another's paper, using unauthorized technological tools during exam; plagiarism: presenting as one's own the work or opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgment; failing to give credit for ideas, statements of facts, or conclusions derived by another author; violation of established university policies or procedures. 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 Pacific conduct case?

At Pacific, the most consequential deadlines are: Informal academic grievance consultation with instructor generally within 14 calendar days of start of classes after grading period; Instructor response to grievance within 10 calendar days; Student Academic Grievance Board hearing convened within 21 calendar days after grievance forwarded. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Student Conduct Review Board (SCRB) or hearing officer, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.