Reporting and Investigating Academic Misconduct

Question

How to report and Investigate Academic Misconduct

Answer

For any questions regarding the below procedure, or to request a consultation, please contact the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR)

• SRR@usd.edu
•  605-658-3561.

If, at any point, the alleged student does not respond or is otherwise non-compliant during this process, you may wish to review the Academic Integrity Flowchart listed at www.usd.edu/srr and contact SRR for assistance.

1.  If you suspect academic dishonesty has occurred, you may choose to email SRR@usd.edu to first request a hold on the alleged students' account so that they cannot withdraw from your course before the matter has been resolved.
2. Begin your investigation into the student's materials. This may include running a Turnitin report, comparing the student's work to previous submissions, using an AI detector, reviewing proctored footage, etc. You may wish to consult with your department chair for program or department-specific requirements.
3. If you determine that academic misconduct has not occurred, please email SRR@usd.edu to have the hold removed, if applicable.
4.  If you determine that academic misconduct has likely occurred, as defined by the SDBOR Student Code of Conduct , you will request to meet with the student for a consultation meeting. You may send the meeting request either in person or via email, and the meeting itself must take place in person or via Zoom.
   Note: SRR recommends providing the student with a deadline for the consultation meeting
5. You will meet with the student to discuss your concerns with their assignment and allow them to explain their work. You should be prepared to show the student the supporting documentation that you gathered during your investigation and point out any discrepancies that the student has not explained.
6.  If you determine that academic misconduct has occurred, you will inform the student of your decision and their options between an informal and formal resolution process. You will provide the student with a deadline to indicate their decision on the Academic Misconduct Disposition DocuSign.
   Note: SRR recommends a one-week deadline for the resolution decision.
   Note: An academic consequence of any sort is NOT able to be issued until the student has signed the disposition form and agreed to an informal resolution, or the student has been found responsible within a formal hearing. An "incomplete" grade will need to be assigned at the end of the term until the matter has been resolved.
7.  You will complete the Academic Misconduct Disposition Form via DocuSign
   •  Please include all of the information that you have available regarding the incident, including the submission date, relevant course information, and all supporting documentation.
8. Once the student has signed the disposition form, the DocuSign will automatically be routed to SRR. When able, SRR will document the incident and will send the student an electronic correspondence to either confirm the informal resolution or provide information for a formal proceeding based on the student's selected resolution type. You will be copied on this correspondence.
9.  If a formal hearing is requested by the student, SRR will communicate this with you and will provide you with additional information on how to prepare