Student Academic Honor Policy Resolution Options
- Students may sign a First Offense Form if they do not have prior violations of the Academic Honor Policy and the alleged violation is not deemed egregious as defined in the Academic Honor Policy. Students must select one of the following resolutions when signing the form:
- Option #1 – Student–Instructor Resolution: Student takes responsibility for violating the Academic Honor Policy and accepts the sanction proposed by the instructor.
- Option #2 – Disputing the Sanction: Student accepts responsibility for the alleged violation but disagrees with the instructor’s proposed sanction. The student must write a statement explaining why the sanction is too harsh or disproportionate to the alleged violation. This statement, along with the relevant form and all supporting documentation, should be sent to Tim Kessler-Cleary, Director of Student Affairs. Students are encouraged to submit supporting documentation/evidence with their written statements; merely claiming dissatisfaction and/or hardship are not justifications for violating the Academic Honor Policy. Students with prior violations may not use this option.
- Option #3 – Academic Honor Policy Hearing: Student denies responsibility for violating the Academic Honor Policy and does not believe they should be subject to any sanctions. Selecting this option will initiate the Academic Honor Policy Hearing process.
- Hearing Process for Prior or Egregious Violations: For students who select a hearing option on the First Offense Form or for students who have a prior violation of the Academic Honor Policy, the case will proceed to an Academic Honor Policy Hearing. During the hearing, a student will have the opportunity to present evidence showing that they did not violate the Academic Honor Policy. The instructor will complete a Second Offense or Egregious Offense Form, and the case will go to a hearing where a panel of faculty and students will determine the student’s “responsibility” (or lack thereof) for the allegations.
- Students may not drop, withdraw from, or change the grading basis of courses in which there are Academic Honor Policy allegations and/or violations.
- If the alleged violation is considered egregious or if a student has a prior violation, the case will automatically be resolved via an Academic Honor Policy Hearing unless the student is deemed eligible for and consents to an Administrative Case Resolution.
- No grade penalties may be imposed for alleged academic misconduct without following a resolution process outlined in the Academic Honor Policy.
Any record of a resolved Academic Honor Policy case where the student has been found “responsible” (including Student–Instructor Resolutions) will be maintained in a confidential database for 5 years (longer for expulsions). Violations are not posted on transcripts—except in cases of expulsion.
Contact
Tim Kessler-Cleary, Director of Student Affairs
tk23y@fsu.edu
(850) 770-2190