UniMelb academic integrity allegation: what to do

Read your notice first

If you have a letter from UniMelb about possible plagiarism, cheating or unauthorised AI use, read the whole letter and work out what stage it describes. A suspected breach report is first assigned to a case manager. That person reviews the case details and decides whether there is merit to refer the matter as a formal allegation of academic misconduct. The letter may be about that early review, or it may be a formal allegation notice.

1. Read the letter and check whether it is an early review or an allegation notice.
2. Check your official University email and the most recent email address on file, because a written allegation notice is sent there.
3. Keep a copy of the letter and anything you send.

The pages we read do not give a number of days to respond to an allegation notice. The notice tells you how to respond, so use the deadline and instructions in your own notice. The free help named for this university is UMSU Advocacy Service.

What the case manager does

During the preliminary review, the case manager may contact students to gather additional information. The pages we read say this could include asking you to discuss your work with an academic or to provide other documents. You are not obliged to participate in this part of the process if you don't want to. If the case manager decides there is sufficient merit to proceed, the allegation must be approved by a senior academic or senior professional staff member. If approved, you will receive a written allegation notice sent to your official University email address or the most recent email address on file. The allegation notice will include details of the allegation, possible outcomes, support services available, and instructions on how to respond.

Responding to an allegation

If you receive an allegation notice, you will always be given the opportunity to respond. The pages we read describe two ways: providing a written explanation or submission of evidence, and/or being heard, in person or via videoconference, by the case decision-maker(s). The notice tells you how to respond. You can ask the UMSU Advocacy Service to read the notice with you before you respond.

If you provide evidence, it must be true evidence. Do not invent or exaggerate a reason, backdate or alter a document, or get a certificate for an illness you did not have. Keep copies of what you submit. If you do not understand a term in the notice, ask the UMSU Advocacy Service to explain it.

Penalties, records and appeal

If an allegation is upheld, penalties are set from the standard range in Schedule 1: Academic Misconduct. The decision-maker takes account of the extent of the breach and any mitigating or aggravating circumstances. The written outcome will include the decision to uphold or dismiss the allegation, any penalties, the reasons for both the decision and the penalty, information about your right to appeal, and guidance on accessing support and advice.

Academic misconduct is managed using the University case management system. Records are retained in the case management system and the University's official records management system. Records may be made available to persons internal or external to the University as per the Privacy Policy (MPF1104).

If you want to appeal, the academic misconduct page says you may lodge an appeal with the Academic Secretary within 20 working days of receiving the outcome. The Academic Board's appeals page says within 20 University business days from the date of the original decision. Count from the earlier date. The notice of appeal must describe the decision being appealed, clearly state the ground or grounds for appeal, summarise the basis for each ground or grounds, attach the notice of the original decision, and include any relevant material on which you wish to rely.