Written submission template: Academic integrity breach

Please ensure you have read our Academic Integrity Breaches webpage prior to writing your written submission.

Written submission template - for Standard Outcomes (requesting a review of the standard outcome)

Academic Integrity Committee
Faculty of [insert your faculty]
Deakin University
[insert date]

Dear Academic Integrity Committee members,

Re: Request for review of proposed standard outcome

I, [insert your name], am studying a [insert qualification name] at Deakin University. In the [type of assessment piece] for [insert unit code], I received an allegation of a breach of academic integrity.

Please then select which sentence is applicable for your response.

Admitting to the allegation and applying for mitigating circumstances as per Schedule A:
I admit to the alleged breach and would like to explain my mitigating circumstances that led to the breach.
OR
Disagreeing with the allegation
I do not admit to the alleged breach and would like to provide information to show that I have not breached academic integrity standards.
OR
Disagreeing with the proposed standard outcome and instead admitting to an alternative breach type as per Schedule A.*
I do not admit to the alleged breach and would like to provide information to show that the proposed standard outcome is not applicable in my situation. Instead, I admit to: [Please outline Breach Type as per Schedule A].
*Please note: You can also disagree with the standard outcome, admit to an alternative breach type and then apply for mitigating circumstances (if applicable) as per Schedule A. If you are considering this, please contact a DUSA Advocate for advice to ensure your response is clear.

If you admit the allegation, explain to the Committee the mitigating circumstances that led to the breach:

• Provide details explaining what happened.
• Describe the personal circumstances that you were experiencing at the time of the breach.
• Describe the way in which these circumstances were exceptional and outside your control.
• Describe how the circumstances impaired your decision-making abilities.
• Describe what you have done to address the issue. Include details of any services or resources that you have accessed to ensure that this situation does not occur again, e.g. health professional, Deakin study support.
• Write a brief statement of apology and request that the Committee consider applying a mitigating circumstances outcome instead of a standard outcome.
• Attach supporting documentation to verify your personal circumstances.
  

If you disagree with the allegation, explain to the Committee why the allegation is not true:

• Provide details explaining what happened.
• Clarify why you disagree with the allegation including your understanding of the University’s academic integrity standards.
• Attach supporting documentation/evidence to show you did not breach academic integrity.

If you disagree with the proposed standard outcome and instead admit to an alternative breach type as per Schedule A, explain to the Committee why this alternative outcome is applicable:

• Provide details explaining what happened.
• Clarify why you disagree with the Standard Outcome, including your understanding of the University’s academic integrity standards.
• Clarify why you feel that the outcome you have proposed as per Schedule A is applicable to your circumstances.
• Attach supporting documentation/evidence to show that you did not breach academic integrity in the way described in the allegation.

Yours sincerely,

Student Name
Student ID
Mailing Address
Telephone
Email

Provide copies of any documents you think are relevant to your case.

Advocates can review your draft written response and supporting documentation and provide you with confidential feedback before you finalise it and submit it to the Academic Integrity Committee. Please allow as much time as possible prior to submission date for feedback to be provided. Please contact us to arrange a free appointment.