• What is a violation of academic integrity?
    A violation or breach of academic integrity is an act of academic dishonesty that may include but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarizing, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, copying, falsifying data, and other violations. See University Administrative Guidelines on Academic Integrity for details.

  • What is the Academic Integrity Review Board?
    The Academic Integrity Review Board (AIRB) is charged by the Office of Academic Affairs to investigate, hear, and sanction alleged academic integrity violations. The AIRB will address unresolved academic dishonesty cases including but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and the facilitation of acts of academic dishonesty by others. The AIRB does not hear grade appeals that are addressed and documented within the college/school.
  • How should the faculty respond to a violation of academic integrity?
    If the instructor of record suspects that an Honor Code violation has occurred, the instructor should fill out the Violation Report/Resolution Form and contact the department head of the course in which the violation took place and the department head of the student’s major to discuss the situation and the Honor Code Process. The instructor has two options, namely,

    • Resolve the case through the Faculty-Student Resolution process and report the outcome to the Office of Academic Affairs (Level I and Level II Violations), or
    • Ask the AIRB to investigate and resolve this alleged violation of the Honor Code (Level III and Level IV Violations).
  • What sanctions will be assigned by the faculty for confirmed violations of academic integrity?
    Any violation of academic integrity is subject to an appropriate penalty. Offenses at PVAMU are classified into four levels according to the nature of the infraction. For each level of violation, a corresponding set of sanctions is recommended. The AIRB and/or instructor is charged with using these guidelines as general rules of practice for the academic community in matters relating to the assignment of violation level and appropriate sanction.
  • How may a student appeal an academic integrity violation decision?
    If a student decides to appeal a decision indicating that there has been a violation of the Honor Code, the student should complete the Academic Integrity Decision Appeal Form within five (5) business days and submit it to the Office of Academic Affairs.