Faculty Resources

When should I submit an Academic Integrity Violation Report?

Faculty should submit an Academic Integrity Violation Report when they believe academic misconduct has occurred and a grade-related sanction may apply, in accordance with Academic Integrity Policy 224 and Procedure 224P.

Can I resolve a concern directly with the student without submitting a report?

Faculty should follow Procedure 224P when an academic integrity concern may result in a grade-related sanction. Faculty may discuss concerns with students and provide feedback, but reporting requirements should be followed when applicable.

What if I am unsure whether something is academic misconduct?

Faculty are encouraged to consult their Associate Dean, Academic Dean, or the Office of Academic Integrity for guidance regarding potential concerns, reporting requirements, and available resources.

What information should I include when submitting a report?

• A description of what occurred;
• Date and location of the incident;
• Assignment or assessment involved;
• Supporting documentation or evidence;
• Relevant communication or records.

What types of evidence should I provide?

Examples include:
• Student submissions;
• Turnitin reports;
• Exam materials;
• Assignment instructions;
• Other relevant documentation.

What happens after I submit a report?

The report is reviewed by the Office of Academic Integrity and routed to the appropriate faculty member or college official for follow-up and adjudication. In most cases, the report will be routed back to the reporting instructor for resolution.

The student is then notified of the concern by the faculty member and provided an opportunity to respond before a determination is made, in accordance with Procedure 224P.

Can I assign a grade penalty before completing the academic integrity process?

As a best practice, faculty are encouraged to complete the academic integrity process outlined in Procedure 224P before assigning grade-related sanctions for an alleged academic integrity violation. This process provides students with notice of the concern and an opportunity to respond before a determination is made.

Dean, Academic Dean, or the Office of Academic Integrity.

What sanctions or outcomes may result from an academic integrity violation?

If a student is found responsible for an academic integrity violation, one or more sanctions may be assigned based on the circumstances of the concern and in accordance with Academic Integrity Procedure 224P.

Possible outcomes may include:

• Grade-based sanctions: Adjustments to a student’s grade, ranging from a reduction on an assignment to a failing grade for the course;
• Educational sanctions: Completion of an educational module (such as a Student Lingo module), reflection assignment, or other educational activity designed to promote learning, accountability, and academic integrity;
• Administrative sanctions: Actions initiated by the Office of Academic Integrity when warranted by the circumstances, particularly in cases involving repeated or serious violations. These actions may include referrals for additional review through the appropriate college process.

For the most current information regarding available educational sanctions and resources, faculty may contact the Office of Academic Integrity.

How can faculty prevent academic misconduct?

        Faculty can promote academic integrity by:

• Clearly communicating expectations at the beginning of the course and reinforcing them throughout the semester;
• Defining acceptable and unacceptable collaboration practices;
• Explaining citation, attribution, and source-use expectations;
• Discussing the appropriate use of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools and other resources
• Designing assignments and assessments that encourage authentic student learning and demonstrate individual understanding; and
• Providing opportunities for students to ask questions when expectations are unclear.

Faculty are encouraged to include clear academic integrity expectations in course syllabi and assignment instructions, including expectations regarding collaboration, the use of resources, citation practices, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

The Faculty Toolkit, available on the SharePoint site, includes sample AI statements and NOVA's standard academic integrity syllabus statement for faculty use.