Student Code of Conduct
All students are expected to read, understand and abide by the Student Code of Conduct by following this link:
https://www.mga.edu/student-conduct/index.php
*Note (1) A graduate student who has been found to have violated the academic integrity or ethical standards of a class, a program, its activities, or partnerships with outside organizations may be permanently barred from the program or any other graduate degree offered by the University. Violations include, but are not limited to, falsification of documents, plagiarism, false swearing, falsification of research, cheating, or violations of records or other documents. All students are afforded due process before such a finding and are encouraged to consult the Dean of Graduate Studies and the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs as to their rights.
**Note (2): Per the “Addendum on Infraction Steps for Graduate Students” memo dated 03.25.21 from the Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies to the MGA Provost, the AVP of Student Affairs, the Director of Graduate Student Policy & Support, and the Chair of the Graduate Studies Council, the Student Code of Conduct and infraction steps for graduate students are under revision. Until that revision has been finalized the following processes should be followed:
For graduate student infractions that may result in a hearing process, panel, or hearing officer, these steps will be followed until the Graduate Studies Council can review such processes for formal revision of the Student Code of Conduct and the Graduate Studies Academic Catalog.
Graduate students who commit infractions of academic integrity should always be afforded the processes in the Student Code of Conduct, as outlined under “Procedures for Adjudicating Cases of Academic Misconduct” and as further identified on the infraction form:
https://www.mga.edu/student-conduct/docs/Faculty_Resolution-Student_Infraction_and_Complaint_Form.pdf
1) Where existing policies speak to a hearing process, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs shall consult with the Director of Graduate Student Policy and Support to determine whether an accused student wants a hearing panel of other students or a hearing conducted by an individual hearing officer.
2) The choice of a hearing panel or a hearing officer shall be documented in the form of an email to the AVP Student Affairs from the accused student.
3) This decision must be communicated within three (3) business days of sending the infraction form; if the student fails to follow up, the process will automatically revert to a hearing officer.
4) If there are graduate students trained to serve on hearing panels and time allows, the panel shall be composed of at least one graduate student and other trained students and university personnel as necessary; hearing panels typically have at least three (3) voting members and are usually assisted by an ex officio administrator.
5) If there are no available graduate students trained to serve on a hearing panel, then the panel shall be composed of other trained students and university personnel as necessary; hearing panels typically have at least three (3) voting members and are usually assisted by an ex officio administrator.
6) If the accused student selects the option of a hearing officer, typically the Director of Graduate Student Policy and Support serves in this capacity, although the AVP Student Affairs, the Dean of Graduate Studies, or any other graduate dean or coordinator may also serve if requested by the AVP Student Affairs.
7) In all instances, the AVP Student Affairs and the Dean of Graduate Studies will ascertain that adequate training has been provided to students or to hearing officers and that any accused student has been fully consulted as to due process.