Academic honesty is an integral part of the University's educational mission. According to the UC Davis Code of Academic Conduct, all members of the academic community are responsible for the academic integrity of the UC Davis campus. The Office of Student Support & Judicial Affairs (OSSJA) is designated to address incidents of academic misconduct as well as disruption to the teaching environment. The following policies apply to faculty.

By the end of the first week of instruction, the instructor will provide students with a course outline containing information regarding the anticipated: topical content of the course, amount and kind of work expected, examination and grading procedures, and notice of the Code of Academic Conduct. 

UC Davis course examinations should be monitored, at the discretion of the instructor.

If an instructor has a reasonable suspicion of academic misconduct, whether admitted by the student or not, the instructor shall report the matter to OSSJA. 

The instructor has authority to determine a grade penalty when academic misconduct is admitted or is determined by adjudication to have occurred, with a maximum grade penalty of “F” for the course.

A faculty/student panel, convened by OSSJA, shall conduct formal hearings for contested cases of academic misconduct and recommend findings to OSSJA, unless the right to a formal hearing has been withdrawn. The right to a formal hearing may be withdrawn because of a prior finding of misconduct. The panel will be selected from a faculty/student committee appointed by the Chief Campus Officer, with the Davis Division Committee on Committees nominating the faculty members.

(source: Regulations of the Davis Division of the Academic Senate, 537 and 550 A, C, D, & E).

Reports of suspected academic misconduct may be submitted online to https://ossja.ucdavis.edu.

For any questions about addressing or reporting academic misconduct, a faculty member should contact the OSSJA at 530-752-1128 or ossja@ucdavis.edu.

If a matter referred to OSSJA has not been resolved by the time final grades are due, a grade of “Y” should be submitted for the student(s) in question. When the matter is concluded, OSSJA will direct faculty to assign a final grade.

Faculty are encouraged to promote an atmosphere of honesty in the classroom. For example:

• Call attention to the Code of Academic Conduct and take other steps to reinforce a sense of honesty and integrity in students.
• Clearly inform students of course and grading requirements and of standards of scholarship. Notify students that suspected academic misconduct will be reported to OSSJA.
• Use exam and assignment formats that discourage academic misconduct.
• Inform students of your policy regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) including spelling, grammar, or translation applications as well as paraphrasing and generative AI.
• Tell students how to report violations of the Code of Academic Conduct.