The Informal Intervention

If and when an instructor discovers that a student has been cheating, he or she may choose to handle the situation informally by confronting the student and agreeing to an appropriate resolution (usually a grade-related sanction). This intervention is recommended in situations in which it is the student's first violation, and in which the instructor considers the violation to be relatively minor. (The instructor may want to consult with the dean's representative to make this assessment and to determine whether the student has had previous violations.)

There are several advantages and disadvantages to handling cheating incidents informally. The primary advantage is that the matter can be concluded rapidly, resulting in an agreement that both the instructor and the student can readily support. The primary disadvantage is that there is a limited spectrum of sanctions available to the instructor, e.g., grade-related sanctions only. Secondly, because it is an informal intervention, no official record for the incident is maintained. And, without a record, it is quite difficult to determine if a student is a multiple violator.

When instructors intervene to confront students, they should do so with discretion. Meeting with the student in a private office or comparable setting offering privacy is highly recommended. Instructors planning to intervene informally can find additional information on the University's Faculty Resource on Grading Web site.