Facing academic misconduct allegations? We're here to help.
Facing academic misconduct allegations? We're here to help!
Academic Misconduct concerns can be a daunting experience, but you don't have to face it alone. The Individual Representation Service part of Open SU is here to support you through every step of the process.
Many students are unsure of what constitutes academic misconduct or how it’s identified. The service is here to help clarify the process, explain how tools like Copycatch and Turnitin work, and support students in preparing their responses.
The service assists students in:
- Understanding the University’s concerns.
- Preparing a clear and effective response.
- Identifying and presenting relevant supporting evidence.
- Learning how to avoid future issues and move forward confidently.
Following the outcome of an investigation, you may decide you wish to appeal a decision – our service is here to guide you through the appeals process, and helping you understand the grounds for appeal and how to present your case. We encourage you to review the guidance available on the 'What happens if your assignment is referred for academic misconduct' section from the OU's Help Centre.
In more serious cases, where allegations are referred to the Central Disciplinary Committee, the service also offers representation at hearings. This ensures that students’ voices are heard and that any mitigating circumstances are fully considered.
The Individual Representation Service is an essential resource for Open University students. If you find yourself facing University procedures, don't navigate them alone. Reach out to us and let us help you achieve the best possible outcome. You can learn more about how we can support you by visiting the Student Advice and Representation hub. You can also reach out to us by emailing OUstudents-studentadvice@open.ac.uk.
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Student feedback:
Student A: Thank you so much for your support and for attending the hearing with me. I really appreciate you being there, it made a big difference.
Student B; Thank you so much for not giving up on me and supporting me until I received full clarity. I truly appreciate your department – it’s been a long journey.