| This website is currently being reviewed and updated (Summer 2026). |
Academic Misconduct Process: Information for Students
Facing an allegation of academic misconduct can be stressful for students. Learning about the academic misconduct process and identifying helpful resources is an important step.
Students do not have to go through the process alone, and support is available. Students can access support from the AMS Advocacy Office, the GSS Advocacy Office, and the SUO Advocacy Office. Student checklists about what to expect from the misconduct process are also available from the Office of the Ombudsperson for Students.
The usual academic misconduct process is outlined in the Academic Calendar, Discipline for Academic Misconduct (Vancouver and Okanagan). The overall process can vary depending on the circumstances and each Faculty’s procedures, but the usual, general steps are provided below.
Know your options
All misconduct cases are unique, and possible outcomes can vary case by case.
Know the process
It is important to inform yourself and understand the different stages of the process.
Know where to get support
If you need help navigating the process or believe you have been treated unfairly, support is available.
Academic Misconduct Process Overview
1. Allegation of academic misconduct
2. Instructor review and meeting
In most cases, the instructor is the first to review the facts of the allegation. Students will usually have an opportunity to discuss the alleged misconduct with their instructor at this stage.
All students are encouraged to be honest and forthright when faced with an allegation of academic misconduct, and to remind themselves of UBC’s expectations for academic integrity.
Students can prepare for this conversation by informing themselves of the academic misconduct process (Vancouver and Okanagan), reviewing material on this website, and by getting support from student advocates, the University Ombudsperson for Students, advisors, a family member, or somebody they trust. Students usually may bring a support person to their meeting with the instructor but are expected to meet within a reasonable period of time and, if a support person attends, the student is to speak for themselves (the support person is not the student’s representative at that meeting). Students may wish to check with their Faculty about whether they need to notify their instructor in advance or provide other details.
If after their review, the instructor concludes that misconduct has occurred, they must report the allegations in accordance with Faculty procedures. Some Faculty procedures might involve a review of the allegation at the department or program level. The instructor may also choose to re-evaluate the academic merit of the work at issue.
3. Dean’s Office review
The Dean’s Office in the relevant Faculty reviews the allegation and may gather additional information. Sometimes, this might involve an invitation to discuss the allegation with the Dean’s Office by meeting or email.
If the student has not yet been given an opportunity to respond to the allegation and discuss any extenuating circumstances relevant to the alleged misconduct with their instructor, this opportunity will be provided by the Dean’s Office.
4. Outcomes
After their review, the Dean’s Office chooses an appropriate pathway to resolve the allegation of academic misconduct.
If the Dean’s Office concludes the student did not engage in misconduct, the matter is closed.
If the Dean’s Office concludes the student did engage in academic misconduct, there are three possible ways to resolve the misconduct:
Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan
Warning Letter
Diversionary Process (Integrity Plan)
If a student has admitted to the academic misconduct and has no previous record of academic misconduct at UBC, and the Dean’s Office determines this option is appropriate, the Dean’s Office may propose to resolve the matter through the Diversionary Process and an Integrity Plan.
An Integrity Plan is a voluntary agreement between student and Dean’s Office that includes a description of the incident and agreed-upon outcomes to respond to the misconduct. Students have the right to decline a proposed Integrity Plan.
Examples of Integrity Plan outcomes include, but are not limited to, re-doing the work, a reduced grade in the course, attendance at a workshop or program for academic integrity, an apology, and transcript notation (Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan).
Integrity Plans are part of a student’s academic misconduct record at UBC and may impact how any subsequent incident of misconduct is responded to (Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan).
Learn more about the Diversionary Process:
- Campus-specific information: UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan.
- Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan
PACSD
The Dean’s Office may refer an allegation to the President’s Advisory Committees on Student Discipline (PACSD) (Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan). The PACSD is the formal, impartial committee that considers allegations of misconduct against students normally through a hearing. The PACSD communicates their findings to the President of the university, who decides on disciplinary measures (if any).
Students will be notified via email of the time and place for the hearing. They will also be asked to complete a Statement of Response prior to the hearing to respond to the allegations and provide relevant information and documents to the PACSD.
Examples of disciplinary measures include, but are not limited to, zero on the assessment, failing or reduced course grade, notation of academic misconduct on student’s transcript, loss of UBC scholarships or bursaries, letter of reprimand, and a period of suspension up to and including expulsion (Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan).
Allegations of academic misconduct referred to the PACSD that have yet to be determined, and findings of academic misconduct by the PACSD and the President’s decision letter as to the appropriate discipline (if any) may impact how any subsequent incident of misconduct is responded to (Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan).
Learn more about the PACSD process:
- Review Annual Summaries of Student Discipline previously heard by the PACSD
- Academic Calendar: Vancouver and Okanagan
5. Student appeals of discipline
If disciplinary measures are imposed, the President will also send a copy of the decision letter to the applicable Senate committee for each campus that hears appeals from the President’s decision. A student has the right to appeal the President’s decision to the applicable Senate appeal committee. The Academic Calendars (Vancouver and Okanagan) outline appeals procedures.
About academic misconduct records
At UBC, formal discipline for academic misconduct is found in the findings of the President’s Committee (PACSD) and corresponding decision letter of the President.
Generally speaking, other records relating to academic misconduct may include:
- Warning Letters issued by a Dean’s Office;
- Integrity Plans;
- Allegations of academic misconduct referred to the President’s Committee that have yet to be determined;
- Findings of the PACSD and the President’s corresponding decision letter where an allegation was found not to be substantiated; and
- Faculty-level records relating to allegations.
Some, but not all, cases of academic misconduct will result in a transcript notation. Students may receive a transcript notation of academic misconduct if it is included as a disciplinary outcome in the President’s decision letter (“academic misconduct”), or as an agreed-upon outcome in an Integrity Plan (“Academic Integrity Education: Integrity Plan [Date]”).
Records relating to academic misconduct are confidential and are retained and disclosed in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Top 10 Things to Know
There are some essential things for students to know about academic integrity and academic misconduct.
Resources and Support
There are many resources available to help you learn about academic integrity, avoid misconduct, and navigate the academic misconduct process.
This is an educative website intended to support understanding of the topics and associated processes and does not constitute legal advice nor impose legal obligations on the University. The content of this site may be updated. The Academic Calendar is the official governing document, and where there is any inconsistency or contradiction between this educative website and the Academic Calendar provisions governing academic integrity and academic misconduct, the Academic Calendar governs.
