CESA Resources & Frequently Asked Questions

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The University Integrity and Conduct Council (UICC)
Resources for Students going through a conduct process
Resources for Support Persons
Resources for Other Community Members
Frequently Asked Questions

The University Integrity and Conduct Council (UICC)

Appointments to the UICC are for a full academic year and recruiting for them occurs during the prior spring semester. If you have questions about the process, please contact us at cesagwu [dot] edu (cesa[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Position Type: Volunteer

Position Specific Summary: The University Integrity and Conduct Council (UICC) reviews reports of misconduct by students and student organizations. Members are trained to interpret the Code of Academic Integrity and and play an integral role in fostering development and growth among students at GW.

Benefits of Involvement:

Develop active listening skills and enhance critical thinking skills.
Gain experience working in a collaborative decision-making setting.
Gain experience with managing confidential information.
Enhance organization, time management, and decision-making skills.
Practice interpreting policy in the practical application of community standards.

Requirements:

For students-

Be a currently enrolled Undergraduate, Undergraduate, or Doctoral student at GW. Part-time and remote students are eligible to serve on the UICC.
- Participants in the MD program are not eligible.
- Law students are welcome to join the UICC but will only hear student conduct cases.
Have a minimum GPA of 2.8.
Have the ability to complete synchronous and asynchronous virtual training during the summer. Contact CESA if accommodations are needed.

For faculty-

Be a full time faculty member in a school subject to the Code of Academic Integrity.
Have the ability to complete synchronous and asynchronous virtual training. Contact CESA if accommodations are needed.

For staff-

Be a current staff member at GW.
Have the ability to complete synchronous and asynchronous virtual training. Contact CESA if accommodations are needed.
Please note that staff members are only eligible to hear student conduct cases, not academic integrity.

For Students Going Through a Conduct Process

Conflict Education & Student Accountability (CESA) manages reports of student misconduct on campus, include violations of the Code of Academic Integrity and the Code of Student Conduct.

Your case manager will serve as your point of contact for any questions about your case and the conduct process.

We understand going through a conduct process can be a stressful experience. You may find these additional resources helpful.

Mental Health Resources

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) -
- If you are in crisis, or concerned about a GW student in crisis, please call 24 hours a day, seven days a week at (202) 994-5300 (option 3) to speak with a counselor.
Timely Care: App offering 24/7 virtual care services including scheduled counseling, self-care content, and on-demand emotional support. GW students have free access.

Additional Resources

CARE Team: The CARE team helps connect students with personalized outreach and a variety of appropriate resources through inter-departmental collaboration. A CARE report can be submitted by a student on their own behalf or for another student.
Disability Support Services (DSS): Students needing accommodation to fully participate in the conduct process should request those as soon as possible from their case manager. Students seeking other accommodations should work with DSS.
Office of Advocacy and Support (OAS): OAS provides confidential trauma-informed, survivor-centered, empowerment-based support to GW students impacted by sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking.
Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO): OEO is responsible for responding to reports of all forms of discrimination or harassment, including sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking, and supporting those who are impacted by such incidents.
International Services Office (ISO): International students concerned that their ability to attend the university may be limited as a result of a CESA case are encouraged to reach out to ISO.
Office for Study Abroad (OSA): Students interested in Study Abroad opportunities can contact OAS to find out how their plans may be impacted by a CESA case.
Substance Use Resources: Resources to help students navigate their relationship to substances.

Support Persons

Resources for Support Persons

Who is a support person?

A support person is an individual who has been selected by an accused student or student organization (respondent) to advise them through the student conduct process and who has agreed to assist the respondent. However, in cases where the complainant or reporting party participates, they may also be granted the option to have a support person on a case-by-case basis. Support persons can assist by offering advice for how to participate in the student conduct process, as well as basic emotional support and appropriate referral to resources. Different support persons may emphasize one of those more than the other, depending upon the support person's skill set and the needs of the student. That said, student conduct proceedings are not as complicated as a court of law and many people navigate the process without a support person.

CESA staff can provide information on the process, but must also remain impartial throughout. Support persons fill a special role directed at helping a student through this process by being supportive and by helping the person prepare for their student conduct proceeding.

A support person can be anyone of the student's choosing, so long as they are not otherwise involved in the incident. This could include:

a GW faculty or staff member,
a GW student,
a parent or family member,
or a friend.

An attorney may serve as a support person, but may not represent the respondent. Because of the educational nature of the process, participants are expected to articulate on their own behalf.

A respondent may choose to have more than one support person throughout the student conduct process. However, only one support person may be present at any student conduct proceeding or meeting with CESA staff.

Support persons are not permitted to speak for the student, nor are they permitted to ask questions during a proceeding. They are present to support the respondent only.

Role of a Support Person

Prior to a student conduct proceeding:

Arrange to meet with the student to review the information and determine how best to approach the student conduct process.
Ensure the student has been truthful with you about the totality of the incident and that they have provided all relevant communications and documentation related to this incident.
In some situations, the student may sign and submit a FERPA Release Form.
Assist the student with compiling information that they can present at the student conduct proceeding, including brainstorming a list of witnesses and relevant evidence.
If invited by the student, attend any pre-hearing meetings with CESA staff.
Help the student practice and otherwise prepare for the student conduct proceeding.
Provide basic emotional support and referrals to the student.

During a student conduct proceeding, a support person may:

Consult quietly with the student.
Suggest questions for the student to ask in a manner that that does not interrupt the conduct proceeding.
Assist the student in clarifying their response to questions.

During a student conduct proceeding, a support person may not:

Speak on the student’s behalf.
Object in any manner to questions asked or discussions raised.
Interrupt the proceeding.

Should a support person disrupt a student conduct proceeding, they may be removed by the presiding officer or the Director of CESA, or designee. For support persons who are students, such disruption may be a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, and a person may be charged following their disruption and removal.

Resources for Community Members

Faculty & Staff Resources

Parent, Guardian & Family Resources

Student & Alumni Resources

Well-Being

Academic Resources

Campus Partners

Student Organization Resources

Org Help

Other Members of the Community

Frequently Asked Questions

CESA has compiled a list of frequently asked questions on various topics. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any specific questions you have.

Academic Integrity

Can a professor sanction me for academic dishonesty without making a formal charge?: No, this would circumvent the procedures outlined in the Code of Academic Integrity. Students have the right to contest the charge and proposed sanction by having their case referred to a hearing panel.
If I accept the charge, will it go on my transcript?: A transcript notation will only be made if the sanction includes failure of the course, suspension, expulsion, or is independently sanctioned.
If the recommended sanction on the charge form tangentially fails me for the course, will that go on my transcript?: Failure of the course will only be noted on the transcript if it was sanctioned. Failure of the course as a result of failing an assignment will not be noted as academic dishonesty on the transcript. Only the final grade for the course will appear.
Is it possible to be suspended or expelled for a single violation of the Code of Academic Integrity?: Yes, it is possible in particularly egregious cases or repeat offenses. Only an Academic Integrity Council Hearing Panel can impose sanctions of suspension or expulsion.
What happens if I contest a charge or a sanction?: You have the option to accept the charge and proposed sanction, contest the charge and proposed sanction or accept the charge and contest the sanction. If you contest the charge or the sanction, the matter will be referred to an Academic Integrity Council Hearing Panel.
Am I required to attend my hearing?: No, you are not required to attend your hearing- in such a case the Academic Integrity Council would identify you as being “in absentia” and read into the record your plea and any statement. The hearing would otherwise follow its normal case procedures.
Can the Academic Integrity Council panel change the sanction that was recommended by the faculty on the charge of academic dishonesty form?: Yes, the panel will review the case materials that have been presented and determine if the recommended sanction fits the violation.

Sanctions

How was my sanction(s) determined?

Sanctions are determined on a case by case basis so that each respondent is afforded appropriate and just treatment. Additionally, the determination of sanctions are balanced by the university’s goal of providing an effective learning environment for all members.

Determination of sanctions is influenced by factors including but not limited to: the nature of the violation and the incident itself, the impact of the conduct to the individuals, and the impact or implications of the conduct on the university community.

A complete listing of factors that influence the degree and nature of sanctioning as well as a list of sanctions can found in the Code of Student Conduct (link new Code here).

In your outcome letter, a rationale should be provided for the specific sanctions assigned in your case.

Is there any way to get my sanction deadline extended?

CESA can extend your deadline, including the possibility of setting up a payment plan (for monetary sanctions). In order to request these adjustments, contact your case manager (the CESA staff that emailed you regarding your case). Your case manager can help set up the payment plan and adjust your sanction deadline. When you contact your case manager, include the following information: your name, the sanction deadline for which you need an extension, the new date by which you can have it completed (typically no more than two weeks from the original deadline), the reason for the needed extension (e.g. illness), and your plan to complete it on time (e.g. “I have scheduled the required meeting for the day before this proposed new deadline.”) Until you hear back in writing, you should assume the original deadline is still in place.

Are any sanctions reflected on my transcript?

Notation of student conduct action will be made on the transcript whenever a student is expelled or suspended, or in accordance with university policies or applicable laws.
In Academic Integrity cases, all sanctions except failure of the assignment in question shall be marked on the respondent's academic transcript with the phrase “Academic Dishonesty.”

Will sanctions impact my study abroad plans?

It's possible. The decision about whether or not a student may study abroad is generally determined by the Office for Study Abroad (OSA) abiding by their outlined study abroad eligibility requirements. OSA does not allow students to study abroad while they are on any disciplinary probation which overlaps with the study abroad program's itinerary dates. If a student is currently on disciplinary probation and that probation is projected to end before the start of the student’s study abroad program then the student may be considered "Conditionally Eligible." Final approval to study abroad is contingent on successful removal of any probationary status. Study abroad programs operated outside of OSA may include different requirements.

How do I complete my assigned online drug or alcohol course?

You will receive a separate email with directions on how to log in online and complete your required course or courses. This email will contain more detailed information regarding your course or courses. If you are unable to locate the email with instructions or did not receive it, please contact your case manager.

What happens if I do not complete my sanctions?

If you do not complete your sanctions, a hold may be placed on your account. The hold would typically prevent you from registering for classes, and may also include, but is not limited to preventing you from withdrawing from classes, applying for on-campus housing assignments, or receiving copies of academic transcripts. Depending upon the nature of your case, it is possible that additional violations would be alleged for incomplete sanctions.

Will my scholarship be affected?

Scholarship money is not typically affected, unless a student is suspended or expelled. Individual financial aid packages vary. For example, if you have a particular private scholarship, that scholarship may have particular requirements. Contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance for more information.

Parent/Guardian/Family

My student called upset that they were documented by the GW Police Department. What happens next?

Most issues of non-academic student misconduct are evaluated by the Office of Conflict Education & Student Accountability to determine whether a student should be charged with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Not all students are charged with a conduct violation in all circumstances; sometimes an administrative action is appropriate. Decisions whether to charge a student and with what type of violation are made on a case by case basis.

My student is charged with a conduct violation. Do they have the opportunity to defend themselves?

Yes. Every student charged with a disciplinary violation is afforded the opportunity to provide their perspective of the incident in question and to present additional relevant information through witnesses or other means regarding their involvement.

Why can't the Office of Conflict Education & Student Accountability tell me the details of my student's case?

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records and prohibits educational institutions from disclosing information from a student's education record to any third party including family members without the student's consent. This federal privacy law significantly limits the access that family members may have to the education records of their student after they turn 18 or enroll in a post-secondary institution.

Students can ask that we share information regarding their conduct records by signing and submitting the Consent to Release Confidential Information form.

My student is involved in a conduct case. Are there other considerations made by the university regarding the imposition of a sanction? Are there any refunds?

The university's student conduct system is intended to encourage students to take responsibility for their behavior. Letting the student know that a conduct violation is not the end of the world is very important. Families should encourage their student to continue to be an active member of the university community while any conduct case is pending. In these conversations between families and students, the university encourages families to strike a balance between supporting the student and challenging their decision-making process regarding the incident(s) in which the student was involved.

Factors that do not relate to the student's behavior at the time of the incident(s) (e.g. financial situation, health conditions, character statements, grade point average, involvement in student organizations, etc.) are not considered in determining the facts of the case and/or when recommending sanctions.

In accordance with the Code of Student Conduct, a student who is sanctioned with the cancellation of their Housing License Agreement, suspension, or expulsion by the university is not entitled to receive a refund of any applicable fees or tuition.