Academic Misconduct process explained

When further review is needed, your assessment is referred to the School Academic Integrity Lead for investigation. They will analyse the concern using various tools and indicators, and decide to either:

• issue a Notice of Poor Academic Practice
• issue a Notice of Allegation of Academic Misconduct, or
• dismiss the concern.

Outcome

If the concern is dismissed, your Course Coordinator releases your mark, and you may receive guidance on avoiding future issues.

If evidence found, you'll receive formal notice via your student email (UMail).

Timeline

Investigation is normally completed within 20 University business days. If the circumstances or subject matter is high in complexity it may require a longer review period.

This comprehensive process ensures procedural fairness while upholding Academic Integrity standards.

A note regarding Artificial Intelligence investigation and detection

UniSQ uses Turnitin's AI detection software as part of our academic integrity screening process.

Turnitin serves as an initial detection tool only and is not visible to students. If a suspicion of the misuse of AI is raised, we consider multiple factors beyond AI scores, including:

• alignment with assessment requirements
• language patterns, reference quality, and writing consistency
• document metadata and construction analysis.

Following investigation, you may receive a Notice of Poor Academic Practice if minor academic misconduct occurred and you meet these criteria:

• It is your first breach.
• You are in the first eight (8) courses of your program.
• There is not apparent intent to gain an unfair advantage.

This educative notice provides learning opportunities for you and prevents the concern progressing to formal processes and penalties.  You can expect to receive a notice of Poor Academic Practice from either your Course Coordinator or the School Academic Integrity Lead.

Your notice will include an educative activity designed to support your learning and help you move forward with confidence in your academic practice.  

If you’re not eligible for Poor Academic Practice and sufficient evidence exists, you’ll receive a Notice of Allegation of Academic Misconduct via your student email detailing the course, assessment, academic misconduct type, and available support.

Your response options

1. If you disagree with the allegation: Provide detailed information and evidence showing how your work meets academic integrity standards.
2. If you agree the concern is valid: We still want to hear your perspective. Share your experience, including any context and supporting information you’d like us to consider.

It's important to respond by the response timeframe so we can fully consider your perspective. If we don't hear from you, we'll proceed based on available information.

• Written response: 10 University business days from receipt
• Interview request: 5 University business days from receipt (interview is normally be scheduled within 15 University business days from receipt).

Before responding

1. Note your response deadline.
2. Read the Student Academic Misconduct Procedure.
3. Understand potential penalties.
4. Consider your response to the concerns raised – you may agree with the allegation or wish to provide evidence of your original work and process to explain your approach.
5. Remember, as honesty is one of the pillars of Academic Integrity at UniSQ, your willingness to engage with this process is taken into consideration when assessing this allegation.
6. Choose your response method – written or interview.

Remember, academic integrity is an important part of university standards, and this process provides an opportunity for you to show more about your original work and process if a concern is raised. 

After reviewing your response and supporting documentation, you'll receive an outcome letter via your student email. Possible outcomes include:

• the concern being dismissed
• Category 1 breach with associated penalty
• Category 2 breach with associated penalty

Educational support

The academic misconduct process focuses on learning and skill development to help you succeed academically. Support may include:

• Library assistance with research and study skills.
• Online academic integrity training.
• Participation in a workshop that focuses on study skills.
• Requirement to attend a session with a Learning Advisor.

Penalties

Most incidents will include a penalty alongside learning opportunities, such as:

• your work being remarked or a mark deductions
• zero grade for the assessment or course.

In serious or repeat incidents suspension or expulsion from the University is possible.

The goal is to provide learning opportunities while maintaining academic standards.

You can request a review of your outcome, called a Review of Decision. This must be done within 20 University Business Days from the date the outcome was sent to you, in accordance with Section 4.4 of the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure.

How to submit

1. Prepare your request with supporting documentation.
2. Submit it online via the University’s Feedback, Complaints, and Appeals webpage. (Stage 2: Review of Decision for academic misconduct).

Review grounds

Your request should clearly explain the reasons why a review is needed, including at least one of these reasons:

• Relevant factors not considered in the original decision
• Irrelevant factors that shouldn't have been considered
• Why the original decision was incorrect given the circumstances
• New relevant information not previously provided
• Procedural errors that affected the outcome

Support available to you

The Student Guild Advocacy team can help you determine if you have grounds for a review and assist with preparing your application. 

If you've breached UniSQ’s Academic Integrity standards multiple times, you may face suspension or permanent exclusion. You’ll receive a Notice of Intention to Suspend or Expel, giving you 10 business days to respond and explain why you believe suspension or exclusion should not occur.

We understand this can be a stressful time. Here’s how to prepare a thoughtful and respectful response.

Tips for your response

1. Read the notice carefully - understand the allegation and what is being asked of you.
2. Seek support – contact the Student Guild Advocacy team for help.
3. Stay respectful and clear – use calm, factual language.
4. Reflect on what happened - be honest in your explanation.
5. Take responsibility - avoid blaming others.
6. Share your circumstances 
   • Share any personal, academic, or health-related challenges that may have contributed.
   • Include relevant supporting documents (e.g. medical certificates, psychologist letters).
7. Show insight
   • What have you learned - what do you understand now about academic integrity?
   • What would you do differently?
8. Outline your plan for improvement – describe changes you’ve made or plan to make. Include 8. strategies like time management, study techniques, or accessing support services.
9. Present professionally - Proofread for clarity and correctness. A well-presented response shows commitment and respect for the process.

What Happens Next?

A Panel will review your case. They will consider:

• Your academic misconduct history
• The evidence and investigation findings
• Your written response

The Panel includes a Head of School and Dean, two senior academic staff (including one from a different school), and a student representative.

You’ll be notified of the outcome within 10 business days of the final decision.

If you’ve received a Notice of Suspension or Expulsion, you can lodge an appeal within 20 University Business Days from the date the outcome was sent to you, as outlined in Section 4.5 of the Student Grievance Resolution Procedure.

Grounds for Appeal

You can appeal only if one or more of the following apply:

• New evidence has emerged that wasn’t available during the original review and could have changed the outcome.
• Policy or Procedure was misapplied, causing you disadvantage.
• The decision was clearly incorrect or unfair, or the penalty was too harsh.
• You weren’t given procedural fairness during the decision-making process.

How to submit your appeal

1. Prepare your appeal - include a clear explanation and any supporting documentation. Refer to the Student Appeals Procedure for information on what to include.
2. Submit online - Follow instructions under Stage 3: Appeal on the Feedback, Complaints, and Appeals webpage.

Assistance in preparing your application

The Student Guild Advocacy team can help you understand your appeal options and assist with preparing your application.