Deakin plagiarism, cheating or AI allegation: what to do

Read the notice first

If Deakin has told you it is looking at possible plagiarism, cheating or unauthorised AI use, the academic integrity procedure is the place to start. The pages we read state a student has 5 working days to provide a written response to an allegation. They do not state what starts that period. Check your own notice and Deakin's page to confirm the trigger, then count the working days from the correct date.

Your notice should set out the allegation, the evidence used, any proposed academic intervention, how you can respond and the time to do so. It should also refer to support services and student advocacy. Read it closely. Keep a copy of the notice and copies of anything you submit. Contact DUSA Student Advocacy and Support Service for support.

Respond in writing within the time limit

The written response is your chance to put your position on the record. The procedure says the response can include whether you admit the breach and, if so, whether you accept the proposal for the standard outcome, whether there are mitigating circumstances that should be considered before an outcome is imposed, and evidence to support any mitigating circumstances you disclose. If you do not admit the allegation, the response can include information that evidences you have not breached the relevant academic integrity standards. You can also request to attend a review meeting.

Only provide evidence that is true. Do not change a document or create a record of events that did not happen.

The procedure has an early intervention pathway for poor academic practice. It classes poor referencing, including using artificial intelligence to generate false references, as poor academic practice. Early intervention can apply only if the listed criteria are met. Those criteria include no prior early intervention of that type in the relevant unit in the same study period, no early intervention of that type in any unit in a previous study period, no use of another student's work, no substantial reliance on only one or two sources and no attempt to hide or disguise the poor practice. Check whether those conditions apply to you.

What the reviewer decides

After an investigation, a report of a suspected academic integrity breach may be submitted to the relevant Academic Integrity Committee. The Academic Integrity Committee Chair or delegate reviews the report and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed with an allegation. If there is not sufficient evidence, the Chair informs the Unit Chair and the assessment should be marked on its merits. If the student has demonstrated poor academic practice and is eligible for early intervention, the Chair redirects the matter to the Unit Chair. If there is sufficient evidence and early intervention does not apply, the Chair or delegate determines whether the alleged breach is Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Tier 1 covers allegations that typically would breach professional codes of ethics or conduct, such as plagiarism, collusion or other activities that would undermine academic integrity standards but do not meet Tier 2. It also covers repeated instances of poor academic practice where the student has already received an early intervention. Tier 2 covers allegations of more severe and complex breaches, including contract cheating and cases related to research conduct, as well as breaches that span across faculties.

Review meetings, outcomes and appeals

If you request to attend a review meeting, the meeting occurs no earlier than 5 working days after your response is received. The student and a support person, if applicable, may attend. The Academic Integrity Committee and the secretariat attend. The Committee may invite the support person to speak on the student's behalf if the student requests.

Outcomes range from a formal warning to permanent expulsion from the University or the rescinding of a degree. If you receive an outcome and want to appeal, an appeal must be lodged online within 20 working days of being notified of the outcome. If you admitted to a breach considered at an academic integrity review meeting, you may only appeal the outcome imposed.

The procedure says a student alleged to have breached academic integrity standards may continue their academic studies during the management of the allegation and, if the allegation is substantiated, until the end of the University Appeals process. It also says allegations are considered and, if substantiated, outcomes recorded regardless of whether the student has graduated or withdraws from the unit or course.