Initiating a Possible Complaint

A Checklist for Faculty of the Academic Offense Procedures

Due Process

Before any disciplinary action is imposed, University employees and faculty must ensure that the student receives due process. Students are presumed innocent unless sufficient evidence establishes otherwise, and the University bears the burden of proof.

Due process includes giving the student an opportunity to meet with the instructor and department chair (or Registrar, when applicable) to discuss how the work in question was completed. The purpose of the meeting is to gather information and understand the circumstances, not to conduct an adversarial hearing.

An instructor who suspects that a student has committed an academic offense in a course shall consult with the chair as soon as practical after the instructor develops the suspicion. Prior to consultation with the chair, the instructor may take action to prove or detect an academic offense or preserve evidence of same. In taking such action, the instructor should minimize disruption and embarrassment to the student(s).

After reviewing the available evidence, the instructor, in consultation with the chair, determines whether there is sufficient basis to initiate an academic offense investigation.

If any person other than the instructor suspects that a student has committed an academic offense in a course in which the student is enrolled, that person should turn the evidence over to the instructor.

If any person suspects that a student has committed an academic offense, either with respect to a course in which the student is not enrolled, or in academic work outside of a course (for example, an honors project or dissertation, a graduate examination, a thesis or dissertation or a formally submitted thesis or dissertation proposal), that person should inform and provide the evidence to Mr. John Pica, Hearing Clerk. A Formal Hearing will be provided for the student.

For further procedures, please see Offense Procedures.

If any person suspects that a student has falsified, attempted to falsify, or otherwise misused academic records, that person should inform the Registrar.

For further procedures, please see Offense Procedures.

Email	ombud@uky.edu
Phone	(859) 257-3737
Address	109 Bradley Hall

Initiating a Possible Complaint

Due Process

If an instructor suspects an offense in their course

If another party suspects an offense in a course

If the suspected offense occurs outside of a course in which the suspected student is enrolled

If falsification or misuse of academic records is suspected