Faculty Resources
Academic Dishonesty Sample Letter from Faculty Member to Accused Student
Office of Student Judicial Affairs, The University of Tennessee
*****SAMPLE LETTER ONLY*****
March 12, 2007
Ms. Susan Q. Public (Student Identification Number: 000-00-0000)
100 Knoxville Road, #345
Knoxville, TN 37916
Dear Ms. Public:
The purpose of this correspondence is to officially inform you that I am assigning you the grade of “F” in Sociology 120 for the Spring 2007 academic semester. As you should be aware, I am assigning this letter grade based on the recent allegation of academic dishonesty I have made against you in the aforementioned course. Please be advised that I am forwarding this academic dishonesty case to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs for whatever additional action that office deems necessary.
On March 1, 2007, during the administering of Exam #1 for this course, I personally observed you utilizing an unauthorized sheet of paper containing numerous answers for this specific examination. You should recall from our course syllabus, class discussions, and the examination instructions that such aid was strictly prohibited. Furthermore, when I asked to speak with you during this examination, and then confronted you about this unauthorized aid, you admitted to this misconduct.
Should you wish to appeal this grade I have assigned as a penalty for academic dishonesty, you should consult and follow the procedures outlined in Hilltopics, The University of Tennessee Student Handbook, 2007-2008, pages 31-33. You may appeal this penalty within seven calendar days of your receipt of this letter by notifying the University’s Office of Student Judicial Affairs, 409 Student Services Building, Knoxville, TN 37996. This office can provide you with additional information regarding your rights and options in this matter.
Please know that while I regret the need for this action on my part, your behavior unfortunately leaves me with no other alternative.
Sincerely,
Dr. John B. Ethical, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology
Dr. Anne Donotcheat, Department Head and Professor, Department of Sociology
CC:
Michelle Espinosa, Director of Student Judicial Affairs
Dr. Jay Academia, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (college in which violation occurred)
Dr. Sandy Academia, Dean, College of Business Administration (college in which student is enrolled, if different from above)