Undergraduate Appeals

Student Academic Integrity Code

Academic integrity lies at the heart of intellectual life. As members of a diverse community committed to the advancement of knowledge, AUS affirms the importance of respecting the integrity of individual work. The Student Academic Integrity Code for American University of Sharjah describes standards for academic conduct, students’ rights and responsibilities as members of an academic community and procedures for handling allegations of academic dishonesty. As an institution of higher learning, American University of Sharjah views academic integrity as an educational as well as a judicial issue.

The first obligation of a student is to pursue conscientiously the academic objectives that he/she has chosen. Accordingly, each student is required to conform to the regulations of the university, of the college/school in which he/she has enrolled and of the classes in which he/she is registered. It is further expected that all examinations, tests, papers and other assignments will be completed according to the standards set forth in this code.

By registering as a student at American University of Sharjah, all students acknowledge their awareness of the academic integrity code and university registration policies and procedures. At the beginning of the academic year, students will be asked to sign a statement agreeing to abide by the academic integrity code.

Students are responsible for becoming familiar with their rights and responsibilities as defined by the academic integrity code and for understanding the requirements for their particular courses (regarding such issues as collaborative work, use of study aids or take-home examinations). Students are also responsible for learning the conventions of documentation and acknowledgment of sources required in academic discourse.

Adjudication of Academic Offenses  

Academic cases resulting from alleged violations of the university’s academic integrity code are within the jurisdiction of either a faculty member or the dean of a college/school.

All charges are brought through the university faculty. Faculty members or students wishing to bring charges should do so through the faculty member in whose course or academic activity the alleged code violation occurred. In the case of students bringing charges against other students, the student bringing the charge must identify himself/herself to the faculty member.

Violations of the academic integrity code that involve admission and/or placement testing fall within the jurisdiction of an ad hoc committee that is called upon when such violations are reported.

Notifications and Appeals

The dean (or appointed designee) will notify the student in writing of the findings and, as appropriate, the assigned penalty. The faculty member bringing the charge will also be notified in writing of these results, as will the head of the department in which the case occurred and the student’s dean if the student is enrolled in another college/school.

In cases concerning notation to the permanent record, students will be notified in writing of their right of appeal. Appeals must be made in writing within five days of the date of notice. Appeals are limited to grounds of excessive sanction, improper procedure and unavailability of relevant evidence at the time of the original administrative or code of conduct review panel meeting.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or designee, who may consult the case’s written record, the appeal request and any person involved in the adjudication process. Following the review, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs may deny the appeal or may lower the sanction or remand the matter to the appropriate dean in the event of improper procedure or new evidence.

For information related to appeals e-mail: gup@aus.edu