Washington University in St. Louis Student Conduct & Academic Misconduct Defense

WashU uses a dedicated three-member Academic Integrity Board panel for hearings, a focused rather than large-committee structure

Appeals split by sanction severity: non-separation cases stay with the Chair of the Student Conduct Board; separation cases (suspension/expulsion) go to the Vice Provost level, differentiated for undergraduate (VP Educational Initiatives) and graduate (VP Graduate Education)

The 14-calendar-day appeal window is relatively generous compared to peer institutions' 5-10 business day windows

Appeal grounds are explicitly framed as 'unfair hearing' or 'excessive sanction', student-friendly framing focused on fairness rather than narrow procedural technicalities

A summary letter of the allegation, outcome, and sanction is placed in the student's official conduct file, creating a durable record even for lesser sanctions

WashU's Brown School of Social Work maintains a distinct Academic and Professional Integrity Committee with its own procedures for social work students

The panel is chaired by a Student Conduct Officer or Academic Integrity Coordinator, an administrative chair rather than a faculty chair

WashU School of Law

WashU Law School academic regulations and honor code

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

WashU School of Medicine

School of Medicine Student Promotions Committee

Medical students face academic progression and professionalism review through the School of Medicine.

Brown School (Social Work and Public Health)

Academic and Professional Integrity Committee

Brown School students face integrity review through their own Academic and Professional Integrity Committee.

Olin Business School

Olin Business School Honor Code

MBA and undergraduate business students are subject to the Olin Honor Code.

Who handles academic misconduct cases at WashU?

Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings); Student Conduct Board has jurisdiction over academic misconduct matters at WashU. For Academic Integrity Board panel hearings, three members of the Academic Integrity Board convene to hear the case. The panel hearing is chaired by a Student Conduct Officer or an Academic Integrity Coordinator. Non-separation appeals are heard by the Chair of the Student Conduct Board. Suspension and expulsion appeals are heard by the Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives (undergraduate) or the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (graduate). All alleged academic integrity violations by undergraduate and graduate students, under the Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students and corresponding graduate integrity policies (e.g., Brown School's Academic and Professional Integrity Committee procedures). Non-academic conduct is administered under the Student Conduct Code by Student Conduct & Community Standards.

What is the evidence standard at WashU?

WashU applies Preponderance of the evidence (WashU's standard for Academic Integrity Board findings) under WashU Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students; Student Conduct Code. Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings); 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 WashU conduct proceeding?

Under WashU Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students; Student Conduct Code, students facing a Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings); Student Conduct Board proceeding have specific procedural rights, including the right to written notice of the alleged violation; meet with the academic integrity coordinator to discuss the allegation; a three-member Academic Integrity Board panel hearing; an advisor during proceedings. Exercising these rights correctly from the first notice can materially affect the outcome of your case.

How is an academic misconduct case initiated at WashU?

Academic integrity allegations are reported to the academic integrity coordinator for the student's school. The coordinator reviews the allegation, meets with the student, and determines the appropriate adjudicative path. If the responding student contests or the case is serious, the matter proceeds to an Academic Integrity Board panel hearing.

What sanctions can WashU impose for academic misconduct?

Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings); Student Conduct Board can impose a range of sanctions depending on the violation, including reduced grade on the assignment, failing grade in the course, educational sanctions, 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 WashU, and what is the deadline?

The appeal deadline at WashU is 14 calendar days of the original decision. Students who believe the panel did not conduct a fair hearing or the sanction imposed is excessive may seek an appeal within 14 calendar days of the original decision using the Academic Integrity Appeal Request Form. For non-separation cases, the appellate officer is the Chair of the Student Conduct Board. For suspension or expulsion cases, the appellate officer is the Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives (undergraduate) or the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (graduate). Appeal grounds typically include panel did not conduct a fair hearing (procedural fairness), sanction imposed is excessive, new information not reasonably available at the time of the original hearing. 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 WashU hearing?

Yes. Under WashU Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students; Student Conduct Code, students have the right to an advisor during proceedings. AdvocatED can serve as that advisor and help you prepare your response, question witnesses where allowed, and navigate WashU's specific procedural rules. What an advisor can and cannot do varies from school to school, and at WashU the rules are set out in the governing policy.

Do I need a lawyer for a WashU Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings) proceeding?

In most cases, no. WashU's proceedings follow university policy under WashU Academic Integrity Policy for Undergraduate Students; Student Conduct Code, not the legal system. What you need is someone who understands WashU'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 WashU handle Title IX cases?

WashU handles Title IX matters separately from general academic misconduct, through the WashU Office of Institutional Equity / Title IX Coordinator. Sex-based misconduct and Title IX complaints are handled through the Office of Institutional Equity under WashU's separate Title IX policies, not through the Academic Integrity Board. Title IX proceedings have their own procedures, evidence standards, and timelines. If you are a respondent in a Title IX case at WashU, you should not conflate the process with general conduct cases, and you should respond carefully to any notice you receive.

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

Yes. WashU School of Law at WashU is handled through WashU Law School academic regulations and honor code, which is distinct from the general university conduct process. Law students are subject to separate academic conduct procedures 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 WashU?

At WashU, the most frequently cited violations include: plagiarism on written work; cheating on exams or quizzes; unauthorized collaboration on individual assignments; fabrication of data, sources, or research results. 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 WashU conduct case?

At WashU, the most consequential deadlines are: Appeal: 14 calendar days from the original decision, via Academic Integrity Appeal Request Form. Missing any of these windows can eliminate procedural options that are otherwise available. If you have received a notice from Academic Integrity Board (panel hearings); Student Conduct Board, document the dates on the notice immediately and calendar every deadline, even ones that do not seem urgent.