**The information below has not yet gone into affect** 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following information is designed to complement university academic integrity policies; in no way does it supersede or replace that information.

The information below applies to undergraduate students who are found to be in violation while completing undergraduate-level work. Please see Graduate Education policy GCAC-805 for information for graduate students and undergraduate students found to be in violation while completing graduate-level work.

Students may only appeal select academic outcomes, and only after the conclusion of the Academic Integrity Process, as described in Undergraduate Education policy G-9. Through the contact person for the college/campus that processed the academic integrity claim, students may appeal the assignment of an academic transcript notation or the removal from an academic program. 

Based on the Special Considerations section of Undergraduate Education policy G-9, students may ask AIRO for an exception to the portion of the policy that prohibits students with a moderate, major, or egregious academic integrity violation in a course from dropping/withdrawing from that course. Note that, for all appeals, unless a student asks us not to, AIRO may discuss the situation with an academic administrator at the college/campus supervising the academic work.

• If a student dropped a course, but were returned to the course when the educator submitted the academic integrity claim, but the educator did not return the student to the course Canvas space in a timely manner or provide the student with an opportunity to complete missed work. 
  • How to appeal: Email academicintegrity@psu.edu and explain the situation
  • What is likely to happen? AIRO will contact your educator to get some details (e.g., does the course syllabus tell students facing allegations to remain in the course?), determine the outcome of the appeal, and then respond to the message. 
     
• If a student wants to drop the course because of a serious health or well-being situation.
  • How to appeal
    • Email academicintegrity@psu.edu and explain the situation. AIRO may ask for a note from a medical professional that includes their office letterhead (an electronic copy is fine), their office address and phone number, and their signature. The note should not disclose the health or well-being situation, but should answer the following questions:
      • Does the medical professional believe that your situation necessitates that you drop the course?
      • Does your situation necessitate that you drop all courses? Or is there something specific about the nature of this course?
  • What is likely to happen? It is likely that AIRO will contact the medical professional to authenticate the note, but will not ask about the student's health situation. Then, AIRO will determine an outcome and respond. AIRO may discuss the situation with Penn State health and well-being staff and/or with Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response staff members who have experience considering this type of documentation.  
     
• If a student qualifies for a Military drop, Military leave of absence, Miliary Short-Term Absence, or Military Withdrawal. 
  • How to appeal
    • Email academicintegrity@psu.edu and explain the situation. If a supervising officer is available and willing, please consider asking for a letter that does not contain protected information but does support the circumstances for the request.
  • What is likely to happen? AIRO will make reasonable attempts to discuss the situation with the Penn State Office of Veterans Affairs and Services and will ask them to authenticate the note. Then, AIRO will determine the outcome of the appeal and respond.  
     
• If Student Disability Resources (SDR) or the Title IX Office has determined that a course drop is a reasonable accommodation or a supportive measure.
  • How to appeal
    • Email academicintegrity@psu.edu and explain the situation. When appropriate, students should please consider providing a copy of the SDR letter they gave to the educator or ask the SDR adviser to contact AIRO.
  • What is likely to happen? AIRO will make reasonable attempts to discuss the situation with the appropriate office and will ask them to authenticate any letter that appears to be from that office. Then, AIRO will determine the outcome of the appeal and respond.