If you are requested to schedule a preliminary interview, you have been referred to our office because you *may* have violated the Code of Academic Integrity. With your letter, you will find a copy of the allegation. During the preliminary interview, you will meet with a Student Conduct staff member and be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation(s). The staff member will also provide information about the disciplinary process. There are three possible outcomes to this meeting:

• Request an Honor Review to determine a finding of responsibility and any sanctions
• Acknowledge responsibility for committing a violation of the Code, but request an Honor Review for sanctioning purposes only, or
• Acknowledge responsibility for committing a violation of the Code and accept the standard "XF" sanction.

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Honor Reviews are convened to hear cases not resolved in the Preliminary Interview.

Hearings are before a panel normally consisting of three Honor Council members and two faculty members. The student and the complaining party generally present their case before a panel of students who render a decision. If a student is found "responsible" for the alleged violation, the board will impose appropriate sanctions. In accordance with the Code of Academic Integrity, the normal penalty for an act of academic dishonesty is the grade penalty of "XF" in the course. The grade is notated on each transcript as "failure due to academic dishonesty."

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Informal hearings and other proceedings at an educational institution do not follow the same procedures used in courtrooms. The university does not employ lawyers to "prosecute" students, or apply the rules of evidence used in civil or criminal trial. Instead, charges are investigated and resolved in an atmosphere of candor, truthfulness, and civility. You may have an attorney present if you desire, but you are not required to have an attorney. Some students find it helpful to have the expertise of an attorney in responding to serious allegations.

Other students seek the assistance of the Student Legal Aid Office located in the Stamp Student Union. Student Legal Aid is familiar with our process and may prove helpful to you in some circumstances. This is a free service offered to all University of Maryland students. Student Legal Aid can be reached at 301.314.7756. A Student Conduct staff member will be happy to provide you with their brochure during the preliminary interview.

Attorneys may only serve in an advisory role and may not address the board in Student Honor Council cases.

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Not necessarily. Disciplinary proceedings conducted by the university are subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Generally, under FERPA disciplinary records may not be released or disclosed without the expressed written permission of the student whose disciplinary record is being sought unless provided by law. Release of student disciplinary records is permitted without prior consent to university officials with legitimate educational interest; victim/s of an alleged crime of violence or of an alleged sexual assault; and parents of a student who can provide written documentation that the student is financially dependent.

More about Parents & FERPA

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