Student Discipline & Appeals
This policy sets out how Anchor Christian University investigates and sanctions violations of its Academic Integrity policy and Code of Conduct, and how students may appeal. The academic integrity standards themselves, including the use of AI, appear in the Academic Integrity section of the catalog.
Sanctions
Sanctions range from a warning to dismissal and depend on how severe the violation is, whether it appears intentional, and whether the student has prior violations. The University's aim is restoration as well as accountability (Galatians 6:1), so sanctions for unintentional first offenses focus on correction.
Typical sequence for plagiarism:
First offense: written warning; the student resubmits the assignment without plagiarism, or receives a zero if not resubmitted.
Second offense: zero on the assignment.
Third offense: failing grade in the course.
Fourth offense: suspension from the University for 6 to 12 months.
Fifth offense: dismissal from the University.
Severity can move a case up or down the sequence.
Severity | Examples | Typical sanction |
|---|---|---|
Lesser | Missing citations in a limited section; unintentional first offense | Point reduction or resubmission after the problem is explained |
Greater | Extensive uncited material; same assignment submitted in two courses without authorization; unauthorized or uncited AI use | Zero on the assignment, failing the course, or suspension |
Most severe | Buying coursework; having someone else take an exam; submitting another student's work; repeated plagiarism after warnings | Dismissal |
All sanctions follow the due process rights below. The University records each proven violation in the student's file to track repeat offenses.
Copyright Infringement
Copyright infringement is using a copyrighted work, without permission or legal authority, in a way reserved to the owner under Section 106 of the U.S. Copyright Act (Title 17), such as reproducing or distributing it. Downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work through peer-to-peer file sharing without permission is infringement. Sharing copies of course textbooks or other licensed course materials is also prohibited.
Students who infringe copyright may face civil and criminal liability. Infringement that comes to the University's attention, including through University systems or course sites, may result in sanctions up to and including dismissal.
Due Process
These rights apply to every suspected violation of the Academic Integrity policy or the Code of Conduct. The instructor, the Chief Academic Officer, and other academic staff may take part in the investigation.
Instructors may decide academic-integrity cases involving sanctions within their own courses. The Chief Academic Officer decides nonacademic conduct cases and any case involving suspension or dismissal. The written decision identifies the decision-maker and the applicable appeal route.
An official with a personal involvement or conflict of interest in a case does not decide that case or its appeal. The President appoints an uninvolved decision-maker when necessary; if the President has a conflict, the Chair of the Board of Trustees makes the appointment. The notice to the student identifies any substitute decision-maker and appeal route.
A student suspected of a violation has, at a minimum, the right to:
A prompt, confidential investigation. While it is underway, the student's identity is shared only with those involved in the matter or the investigation. An official may first discuss the concern informally with the student, provided this does not compromise the student's rights in the formal process.
Written notice of the charge, including the facts and evidence behind it.
Written notice of the procedure by which the charge will be decided.
Time to respond. The student has at least 7 calendar days to submit a written response before any sanction takes effect, except for interim measures needed for safety.
A written decision, stating the finding, the sanction, and how to appeal.
Disclosure of a disciplinary finding to a sponsoring church or ministry partner requires the student’s written consent unless a disclosure exception expressly stated in Student Privacy & Records applies. Sponsorship or ministry affiliation alone does not authorize access to disciplinary records.
Appeals
A student may appeal a finding or sanction in writing on one or more of these grounds:
The University did not follow the procedures in this policy.
New evidence, not reasonably available earlier, would likely change the outcome.
The sanction is clearly out of proportion to the violation.
Disagreement with the outcome alone is not grounds for appeal. Appeals move through these levels, each within the stated deadline:
Chief Academic Officer. If the instructor imposed the sanction, the student appeals to the Chief Academic Officer within 10 business days of the written decision. The CAO responds in writing within 10 business days.
President. If the CAO imposed the sanction or upheld it on appeal, the student may appeal to the President within 10 business days. The President, or an Appeals Committee of at least two faculty or staff not involved in the case, reviews the record and responds in writing within 15 business days.
Board of Trustees. For suspension or dismissal only, the student may make a final appeal to the Chair of the Board of Trustees within 10 business days of the President's decision. The Board or a committee it designates responds in writing within 30 business days. The Board's decision is final.
Grade-related sanctions remain in effect during an appeal. A suspension or dismissal is delayed until the appeal is decided, unless the student poses a risk to others. A student who believes the University did not follow this policy may also use the University's Complaint and Grievance Policy after the appeal process ends.