FCSM Academic Integrity Violation Appeal Procedures

The Jess & Mildred Fisher College of Science and Mathematics (FCSM) recognizes two common types of academic appeals: grade appeals and academic integrity violation appeals. This page describes the FCSM procedures for adjudicating academic integrity violation appeals. For information about grade appeals, students and faculty should refer to the FCSM grade appeal procedures.

Towson University is committed to maintaining and encouraging high standards of academic integrity and has a long-established Student Academic Integrity Policy (TU 03-01.00). Most of the FCSM-specific procedures described below are direct applications of TU 03-01.00.

When an instructor finds evidence of a course-related academic integrity violation, the instructor must first meet with the student to present the evidence. If the student’s explanation is acceptable, no further action is required. Otherwise, the instructor must initiate the formal process described below.

  1. The instructor should then proceed to fill out the Academic Integrity Violation Form (https://towsonu.tfaforms.net/218320) and answer the questions on the form. The information on the form will be copied automatically be to the student and Chair of the Department, and Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices. The information filled out on the form must be dated within two weeks of the conclusion of her/his initial investigation and must outline the details of the alleged violation and the student’s initial response. This information can all be included on the form. The instructor may attach any corroborating evidence in the  form, as well. The instructor may also state any grade penalty that s/he may find appropriate for the alleged violation. 
  2. If the student disagrees with the instructor’s interpretation of the facts surrounding the alleged academic integrity violation and/or with an imposed grade penalty, the student may appeal, in writing, to the department chairperson; such an appeal must be submitted within five business days of receipt of the instructor’s letter. If the department chair is the instructor, the appeal will go straight to the FCSM Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Success.
  3. The department chair must meet with the student and, if necessary, with the instructor within five business days. S/He must inform the student in writing of her/his decision and copy the FCSM Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Success and the Office of Student Accountability and Restorative Practices. The chair’s written response must be dated within five business days of her/his meeting with the student.
  4. If the student disagrees with the chair’s decision, the student may appeal, in writing, to the FCSM Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Success; such an appeal must be submitted within five business days of receipt of the chair’s letter. The appeal must address the chair’s response and must explain why the student disagrees with that response, and the student must attach copies of all prior correspondence with the instructor and the chair. Review of the appeal by the Associate Dean will not begin until all documentation is received.
  5. The FCSM Associate Dean will review the appeal, including related evidence, and respond in writing, copying the department chair, the instructor, and the chair of the Student Appeals Committee (SAC).
  6. Since appeals of grade penalties stemming from an academic integrity violation are substantive in nature (see the FCSM grade appeal procedures for the definition of a substantive grade appeal), students may ultimately appeal to the SAC Committee. Therefore, if the student is dissatisfied with the Associate Dean for Teaching and Student Sucess’s decision to uphold the violation, s/he may appeal, in writing, to the SAC; such an appeal must be submitted within five business days of receipt of the Associate Dean’s letter. In cases of appeals to the SAC, the committee’s decision is final. It is understood, that should the SAC reverse the Associate Dean and find that alleged misconduct does not constitute an academic integrity violation, any imposed grade penalties shall be vacated.