Optional, One-time Faculty-Student Resolution (FSR) Process for minor Cases of Academic Misconduct Involving Undergraduates

This option for resolving cases of academic dishonesty is reserved for first-time, minor and appropriate alleged infractions by Duke undergraduates.The course instructor/faculty member must submit an incident report of the alleged academic misconduct. The incident report must include a description of the alleged academic misconduct with any relevant information in an attachment (i.e., copies of the assignments, exams, lab reports, and plagiarism detection results). A student may not drop, change course grading to S/U, or withdraw from the course once a report of alleged academic dishonesty has been submitted and/or resolved. This resolution will not become part of the student’s reportable disciplinary record unless there is a second violation. At that time, both cases will be noted on the student’s reportable disciplinary record. 

OSCCS will determine if the student is eligible to receive an FSR and confirm that the faculty/staff member desires to resolve the matter via FSR. If needed, OSCCS is available to consult with a course instructor/faculty member to discuss the appropriateness of this option with respect to the nature of the offense, as well as to learn of any prior violations by the student. 

If a student does not have any prior academic dishonesty violations and OSCCS assess that the alleged misconduct is minor and appropriate in nature, the matter may be resolved through an FSR between the course instructor/faculty members and student , and an OSCCS representative serving in an observational role during an in-person or Zoom meeting. If a student is not eligible to receive an FSR, the course instructor/faculty member declines to resolve the matter through an FSR, or OSCCS determines the alleged misconduct is not minor or appropriate for an FSR, the case will be forwarded to OSCCS for adjudication via a hearing.  

A FSR may result in a reduced grade on the assignment, a reduced grade in the course, additional assignments, and/or other educational initiatives. The outcome must comply with University policies and be agreed upon in writing using the FSR form and signed by the involved student, and faculty/staff member. The course instructor/faculty member must ensure that any agreed upon terms for the FSR, whether discussed in person, discussed via Zoom, or codified in writing via the FSR form through Adobe Sign, must comply with any applicable grading policies. 

The faculty/staff member must report the outcome(s) of a faculty-student resolution to OSCCS and the student's academic dean for record keeping. 

Process

  • The course instructor/faculty member must submit an incident report for any alleged Academic policy violations before offering or confirming an FSR with an eligible student via email at conduct@duke.edu 
    • The report must describe the alleged misconduct and include all supporting materials, such as the course syllabus, assignments, exams, lab reports, highlighted examples of suspected AI-generated content, and relevant communications between the course instructor/faculty member and student. 
  • OSCCS will notify the student and the course instructor/faculty member by email when the FSR process has been initiated. 
  • In this email, a student who wishes to receive advice from a Community Standard Advocate (CSA) will be encouraged to request one by emailing conduct@duke.edu before their scheduled FSR meeting. 
  • A CSA is a student or university staff member trained by OSCCS to advise students about the disciplinary process. The student will be contacted by their course instructor/faculty member to schedule an in-person or Zoom meeting to discuss the allegations and proposed outcome (s). 
    • The FSR meeting will be held in person or virtually and will include the student, the course instructor/faculty member, and an OSCCS representative serving in an observational role. The course instructor/faculty member shall present any information relevant to the allegation. 
  • The student shall have an opportunity to respond to the allegations during the FSR meeting. 
  • If multiple students are alleged to have violated the same policy on the same assignment with similar fact patterns, the FSR process must be offered fairly to all eligible students involved.  
  • If, after hearing the student’s perspective, the course instructor/faculty member determines that alleged academic misconduct occurred, they must inform the student of their proposed outcome(s) for the FSR form.  
  • After the scheduled FSR meeting concludes, the course instructor/faculty member must complete and electronically sign the FSR form through Adobe Sign. 
  •  After receiving the FSR form via Adobe Sign from their course instructor/faculty member, a student will have five days to review it, consult their requested CSA if they wish, and decide whether to accept responsibility by providing their electronic signature and initials.  
  • By signing the FSR via Adobe Sign, the student accepts responsibility for the alleged violation, agrees to the terms of all indicated outcomes, and acknowledges that the matter will be considered final.  
  • Once the student provides their electronic signature to the FSR form via Adobe Sign, all parties will receive a copy of the final FSR via email.  
  • If the student does not accept the proposed FSR form and elects not to sign the FSR, the course instructor/faculty member should refer the case to OSCCS at conduct@duke.edu and CC for the student's academic dean.  
  • If a course instructor/faculty member wishes to rescind a proposed FSR, they must notify OSCCS via email (conduct@duke.edu) and provide a written explanation for documentation purposes.