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File a Complaint - Frequently Asked Questions

Before you file a complaint, here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

1) I'm not sure if I want to file a complaint. Is there anyone that I can talk it through with first?

Yes, you can contact the Office of Student Conduct at 732-932-9414 or you can email conduct@rci.rutgers.edu and someone from the staff will get back to you.

If you are a faculty member reporting an academic integrity violation, discuss the incident with your Academic Integrity Facilitator (AIF) before making a complaint. For a list of facilitators, see Academic Integrity Facilitators.

Per the Interim Academic Integrity Policy, the AIF should be from the school or college offering the course. Academic Integrity Facilitators from the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) are viewed as generalists who will handle academic integrity cases for any department within SAS. If an AIF is selected from the list by a faculty member, and the facilitator is unable to take the case, he or she should contact another AIF in SAS to arrange for the case to be handled.

2) If I consult with or get advice from a Student Conduct staff member first am I obligated to file a complaint?

No, you are not obligated to file a complaint.

3) If I file a complaint, what do I have to do?

If you are a faculty member reporting a Level 1 or Level 2 academic integrity violation, you may adjudicate the case yourself, or you may refer the case to your AIF for adjudication. This process is described in the Academic Integrity Policy.

If you are the complainant (the person who files the complaint with the Office of Student Conduct) in a conduct case or a Level 3 or 4 academic integrity case, you will be expected to:

Prepare the case: This means that you will have to gather evidence, get information from any witnesses, and gather any other information that will help to support your complaint;

Present the case: This means that if the case goes to a University Hearing or Disciplinary Conference*, you will be responsible for explaining the complaint, showing the evidence and presenting witnesses. (If the witnesses cannot be present, notarized statements can be used in their place.) The burden of proof rests with the complainant.

Question and be questioned: This means that if the case goes to a University Hearing or Disciplinary Conference*, you will have to question the accused student, his or her witnesses and your own witnesses. The accused student and the Student Conduct Officer or hearing board will also have the opportunity to question you.

4) I need help preparing my case. Is there anyone who can help me?

Yes, you can speak with a campus advisor who will help you to prepare your case and navigate the disciplinary process. We have certain advisors who have expressed an interest in working with faculty. If you would like the names of those advisors, see the Faculty Campus Advisors list.

5) I’m not comfortable presenting my case. Is there anyone who can speak on my behalf?

At a Disciplinary Conference or Hearing, your Campus Advisor can make opening and closing statements, present evidence, and question witnesses on your behalf. However, your Campus Advisor cannot testify or answer questions in your stead.

6) How long can I expect to be at a University Hearing or Disciplinary Conference?

A University Hearing can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day.
A Disciplinary Conference usually takes 1-3 hours.

7) Do I have to attend the University Hearing or Disciplinary Conference?

Yes, for a University Hearing you or a designee must be present to fill the complainant’s role.
For a Disciplinary Conference it is possible that the complainant would not be required to participate unless cross-examination was necessary to resolve a dispositive factual issue.

8) This seems like an involved process. Can’t I just fail the student or impose my own sanctions?

If the alleged offense is a Level 1 or Level 2 academic integrity violation, you may adjudicate the case yourself. However, this adjudication must follow the procedures outlined in the Academic Integrity Policy. The student is entitled to written notice of the allegation and the opportunity to meet with you. He or she has the right to contest the allegation and to present evidence and witnesses in his or her defense.

Academic Integrity Facilitators may also adjudicate Level 1 and 2 violations, if the faculty member chooses not to do so.

If the alleged offense is a Level 3 or Level 4 violation, you may not adjudicate the case or unilaterally impose sanctions. Such cases must be reported to the Office of Student Conduct or to an AIF and handled according to the procedures described in the University Code of Student Conduct.

Consult with your Academic Integrity Facilitator about the appropriate level for the alleged offense.

*Not all cases go to a University Hearing or Disciplinary Conference.

Continue to File a Complaint form
See Faculty Campus Advisors list
See Academic Integrity Facilitators list