Informing students of academic integrity concerns

Lecturers in Charge (LICs) need to review assessments and decide whether any student assessment submissions should be referred via SAMMS for potential academic misconduct. Once a referral has been made, there is usually a delay before the student receives an allegation letter or the case is dismissed. The interim period can be very confusing and stressful for students.

CEI have produced suggested text for use by academics, which can be added to the submission in Canvas. This is with the intention to provide students with clear and consistent information, that briefly highlights the specific concern with their work, explains the process, and directs them to support services and further information.
If used, this text must only be applied by the LIC (not a marker who is not the LIC), and only after the referral has been made through SAMMS. The use of this text is encouraged but is not compulsory.

Download the LIC Guide with suggested text here

Suggested wording

“Aspects of this submission have raised concerns that academic misconduct may have been involved in the preparation of this assessment.

This includes evidence that: {add concerns; can be quite generic; see below for examples}

The LIC has referred this case to the Academic Integrity Team (AIT).

What does this mean?

Your assessment has been flagged for potential academic misconduct; this does not mean that the case will progress to the next stage. If the case is progressed, you will be provided with an opportunity to explain how you prepared your assessment. Even if there is a finding of academic misconduct, it does not necessarily mean that a mark penalty will be applied, or that you will fail the unit.

What happens next?

An Academic Integrity Officer (AIO) will review the case and decide whether or not the evidence supports further investigation. If so, you will in due time receive correspondence through your ACU email account from the AIT. Please be patient as this may take some time. We understand that this may be a stressful situation; if you are feeling distressed, please contact ACU Student Counselling or your own healthcare provider.

You can find out more about the process and possible outcomes through resources provided by the Student Advocacy Service .”

Examples of concerns that could be added to personalise the notice

• In-text citations are lacking
• There are inadequate in-text citations and references
• Artificial Intelligence was used to help write the work
• Sections have been inadequately paraphrased
• Sections match closely with work previously submitted for this assessment
• Sections match closely with work submitted by another student in the cohort

Please contact CEI@acu.edu.au if you have any questions.