Judicial Process for Students
Excerpted from the pamphlet “Judicial Procedures at Pratt,” 2005
We at Pratt Institute have high expectations regarding social and academic conduct, and we expect everyone to value and uphold the community standards essential to the pursuit of academic excellence and social responsibility. These standards are listed in the Bulletin, the Student Handbook, and pamphlets that detail policies relating to the use of computer technology, sexual assault and harassment, alcohol and drugs, and human rights, particularly those concerning persons with disabilities.

Academic Integrity Code and the Pratt Judicial Process
Absolute integrity is expected of every member of the Pratt community in all academic matters, particularly with regard to academic honesty. The latter includes plagiarism and cheating. In addition, the continued registration of any student is contingent upon regular attendance, the quality of work and proper conduct. Irregular class attendance, neglect of work, failure to comply with Institute rules and official notices or conduct not consistent with general good order are regarded as sufficient reasons for dismissal. The faculty member and/or the Academic Integrity Board adjudicate cases of academic infractions. The Board does not hear grade disputes because these receive a final review at the level of the school dean. Students and faculty are expected to be familiar with and observe academic standards and policies as well as the procedures to address infractions or resolve disputes. A full description of these policies and procedures may be found in the Student Handbook and the Bulletin.

How Are Academic Integrity Cases Handled?
Alleged Academic Integrity Code violations may be adjudicated directly by faculty members and/or they may be referred to the Academic Integrity Board. The Board is composed of faculty members, academic administrators, and students. For alleged Social Conduct Code violations, faculty and academic administrators are urged to send an incident report to the vice president for Student Affairs who will follow appropriate procedures.

What Are the Penalties in these Kinds of Cases?
If the faculty member chooses the first alternative and determines that the student violated the Academic Integrity Code he or she may impose the following sanctions:

• Ask the student to repeat the assignment
• Impose a lower or failing grade for the particular assignment
• Assign a lower or failing grade for the course.

In addition to a sanction, the faculty member must report the incident to the registrar. The incident will be recorded in the student’s non-permanent file. More than one reported incident to the registrar during a student’s program of study at Pratt will result in a a hearing before the Academic Integrity Board. If a faculty member deems a violation to be serious enough, he or she may refer the incident directly to the Academic integrity Board for adjudication. Whether an allegation is brought before the Academic Integrity Board for repeated violations or is referred at once by the faculty member, if the student is found in violation, the Board may impose the following sanctions:

• Grade sanctions, including the assignment of a lower or failing grade in the course
• Recommend suspension from the Institute to the provost
• Recommend dismissal from the Institute to the provost

How Does the Academic Conduct Appeal Process Work?
Students have the right to appeal the decision of a faculty member to the Academic Integrity Board and the decision of the Board to the provost. Specific guidelines ensure that a timely and fair review  take place when a decision of a faculty member or the Academic Integrity Board is appealed. In the latter case, the provost’s decision is final. The appeal must touch upon one of the following key issues:

• Did the Academic Integrity Board conduct itself in such a way that both parties (faculty member and student) had an adequate opportunity to prepare their case?
• Was the evidence presented at the hearing “substantial” enough to justify a decision?
• If the penalty is being appealed, was the sanction imposed in keeping with the gravity of the violation?

The composition of the Academic Integrity Board and its procedures, including appeal procedures, are detailed in the document Pratt Community standards: Judicial Procedures. This document is available in various offices, including the provost, the school deans, the vice president for Student Affairs, the director of Human Resources and the director of Residential Life and Housing.