Frequently Asked Student Questions

Our website hosts the Academic Standards Code. Your course syllabus also includes a portion about Academic Standards policies and may include specific course requirements. It is your responsibility to read and understand these requirements. 

You are responsible to know and follow all Academic Standards policies – even those not explicitly stated on the syllabus. Please review the Academic Standards Document for a detailed explanation of policies. 

Using Generative AI is not recommended by the Academic Standards Office. Generative AI, such as ChatGPT or other Large Language Model (LLM) software often inherently violates the university policies on Plagiarism as it does not provide accurate source material citations in the output.  

Using the spell-check and grammar check features embedded in word processors (Microsoft Office Suite, Google Cloud Suite, Notability, Obsidian, OnlyOffice, etc.) are not prohibited. Please note, using the generative AI portions of Grammarly or other software to do the academic work may still be considered a violation.  

Generative AI and most LLMs do not provide the original source when answering questions; it simply provides an answer to a prompt or question. Further, it does the academic work for you rather than supplementing your own individual effort. Using a search engine allows you to see the source of the answer and enables you to cite that information appropriately.  

An LLM is a chat-bot capable of generating text or image-based content. Common examples include but are not limited to:  ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Qwen, Nemotron, Llama, etc. 

If you are aware that someone else may be violating Academic Standards, you are expected to report their behavior to the either the professor teaching the course, or to the Academic Standards Office. Retaliation against students or staff reporting possible violations is not permitted. If retaliation is a concern, please reach out to the Academic Standards Office for more information and support  

When a student is referred, they receive a referral notice from our office to their Mason email address 

You may have 1 individual attend any meetings with you, given that you have submitted a FERPA waiver to our office indicating that we are able to discuss the case with this individual present. 

The purpose of a pre-hearing is to answer any procedural questions you may have and ensure that you fully understand the charges and recommended sanctions. The pre-hearing is not a time to discuss the specific nuances of your case and the staff member you meet with is not the decision-maker for your case. 

Pre-hearings are required any time a student is facing suspension or dismissal as a recommended sanction. They are required because our office wants to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the case process before entering a plea. 

No, you may not drop the course in which you were referred. You must maintain enrollment until and unless you are found not in violation. If you drop the course, your will be re-enrolled and charged any applicable fees for re-enrollment. 

Yes. 

The hold will explain the reason. If it is an incomplete/overdue sanction, the hold will not be removed until the sanction is completed and our office receives proof of completion. If the hold is due to a suspension or dismissal, it will not be lifted until the suspension/dismissal period ends. 

If you do not participate in the case resolution process, the case will move forward without your participation. 

Just because you were referred with another person does not mean that the allegation is about working together. Please review all case files to ensure you have a full understanding of the alleged charge(s) as your referring professor will explain in the referral why they sent the case to our office. 

Yes. Even if you are near graduation, you can still be suspended or dismissed through this process. If you are suspended, your degree will not be conferred until after the suspension period ends. You may have to re-apply for graduation following the end of the suspension period. Please contact the Office of the University Registrar for more information about how suspension impacts degree conferral. 

You cannot negotiate sanctions, but you are entitled to mount a defense and provide evidence   to support your side of what happened. The Academic Standards panel will consider all documentation provided by the referred student and referring party when deciding on the case.  

You should fully participate in each step of the case resolution process because you are entitled to mount a defense and provide evidence   to support your side of what happened. The Academic Standards Panel will consider all documentation provided by the referred student and referring party when deciding on the case.

All students have access to the referral documentation. The Academic Standards Office redacts or removes personal information (G-Number, email, phone number, etc.) of everyone involved in the case to minimize the likelihood of retaliation and to abide by FERPA regulations. If you need additional clarification, please email us at asos@gmu.edu.   

The appeal process is detailed in the Academic Standards Code as well as in your decision letter. Please review these files in their entirety and reach out to our office if you have additional questions.