Disciplinary Action & Reporting Misconduct
Disciplinary Action
Failure to meet the program’s academic or conduct expectations can result in disciplinary action including immediate dismissal from the program. If a student is not making satisfactory progress in regards to academic or conduct expectations, the program manager will consult with the faculty director and the Professional Master’s Committee to determine if disciplinary action or dismissal is recommended.
Student progress will be reviewed through coursework or meetings with the faculty director and program manager. If the faculty director and program manager find that at the regular meeting or at any other time that a student has failed to achieve satisfactory progress with academic or conduct expectations, the student may be dismissed from the program.
A semester GPA below 3.0 will result in the student being placed on academic probation. If a semester GPA of 3.0 is not attained during the subsequent semester of full-time enrollment (or 12 credits of enrollment if enrolled part-time) the student may be dismissed from the program or allowed to continue for 1 additional semester based on advisor appeal to the Graduate School. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to graduate. See the Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures: Probation and Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement.
Students may be disciplined or dismissed from the graduate program for any type of misconduct (academic, non-academic, professional, or research) or failure to meet program expectations regardless of their academic standing in the program. Separate and apart from a violation of Professional Conduct, a student may face University disciplinary action with regard to the same action. Concerns about infractions of the Professional Conduct may be effectively handled informally between the student and the advisor/faculty member. However, if a resolution is not achieved, the issue may be advanced for further review by the program.
The Professional Master’s Committee administers the regulations with respect to the program’s students, established by the faculty. In consultation with the faculty director and the program manager, the committee makes sure students are meeting the program expectations and imposes sanctions when appropriate. The faculty director and the program manager determine whether the quality of a student’s work and conduct are satisfactory, while the Professional Master’s Committee determines whether the student is satisfying the academic requirements in a timely fashion and meeting program conduct expectations. Students who are falling behind academically or not meeting conduct expectations are first warned, then put on probation, and then dropped from the program if they cannot complete the requirements or remedy their conduct.
Disciplinary Actions can range from reprimand, removal of funding, placement on academic probation, restitution, withdrawal of admission offer, placement on leave, dismissal from the program, or denial or revocation of degree.
Depending on the type and nature of the misconduct, the Division of Student Life may also have grounds to do one or more of the following:
- Reprimand
- Probation
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Restitution
- A zero or failing grade on an assignment on an assignment/exam
- A lower grade or failure in the course
- Removal from course
- Enrollment restrictions in a course/program
- Conditions/terms of continuing as a student
Reporting Misconduct and Crime
The campus has established policies governing student conduct, academic dishonesty, discrimination, and harassment/abuse as well as specific reporting requirements in certain cases. If you have a grievance regarding unfair treatment toward yourself, please reference the procedures and resources identified above. If you learn about, observe, or witness misconduct or other wrongdoing you may be required to report that misconduct or abuse. Depending on the situation, it may be appropriate to consult with your advisor, the program manager, the faculty director, or other campus resources (such as the UW Office of Equity and Diversity, Graduate School, McBurney Disability Resource Center, Employee Assistance Office, Ombuds Office, and University Health Services).
Research Misconduct Reporting
The University of Wisconsin-Madison strives to foster the highest scholarly and ethical standards among its students, faculty, and staff. Graduate students and research associates are among the most vulnerable groups when reporting misconduct because their source of financial support and the progress in their careers may be at risk by raising questions of wrongdoing. They are also often the closest witnesses to wrongdoing when it occurs and therefore must be appropriately protected from the consequences of reporting wrongdoing and be informed of their rights.
Academic Misconduct Reporting
If you know a classmate is cheating on an exam or other academic exercise, notify your professor, teaching assistant or proctor of the exam. As a part of the university community, you are expected to uphold the standards of the university. Also, consider how your classmate’s dishonesty may affect the overall grading curve and integrity of the program.
Sexual Assault Reporting
Faculty, staff, teaching assistants, and others who work directly with students at UW-Madison are required by law to report first-hand knowledge or disclosures of sexual assault to university officials, specifically the Dean of Students Office/Division of Student Life. This effort is not the same as filing a criminal report. Disclosing the victim’s name is not required as part of this report. Please find full details at Dean of Students Office: Sexual Assault, Dating, Domestic Violence, and Stalking.
Child Abuse Reporting
As a UW-Madison employee (under Wisconsin Executive Order #54), you are required to immediately report child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS) or law enforcement if, in the course of employment, the employee observes an incident or threat of child abuse or neglect, or learns of an incident or threat of child abuse or neglect, and the employee has reasonable cause to believe that child abuse or neglect has occurred or will occur. Volunteers working for UW-Madison sponsored programs or activities are also expected to report suspected abuse or neglect. Please find full details at UW-Madison Police Department: Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect.
Reporting and Response to Incidents of Bias/Hate
The University of Wisconsin-Madison values a diverse community where all members are able to participate fully in the Wisconsin Experience. Incidents of bias/hate affecting a person or group create a hostile climate and negatively impact the quality of the Wisconsin Experience for community members. UW-Madison takes such incidents seriously and will investigate and respond to reported or observed incidents of bias/hate. Please find full details at Dean of Students Office: Bias or Hate Reporting.