Washington University has various policies and procedures that govern our faculty, staff and students. Highlighted below are several key policies of the university. Web links to key policies and procedures are available on the Office of the University Registrar website and on the university's Compliance and Policies page. Please note that the policies identified on these websites and in this Bulletin do not represent an entire repository of university policies, as schools, offices and departments may implement policies that are not listed. In addition, policies may be amended throughout the year.

Courses and Credit

Academic Calendar

Washington University in St. Louis primarily follows a standard semester-based academic calendar: a fall and spring semester of approximately 16 weeks, including sessions of half-semester lengths and intersessions beginning before the term start date, and a summer term of 13 weeks, including sessions of half-term length, an intersession beginning before the term start date, and 3-, 5- and 8-week lengths. The Doctor of Medicine program follows a yearlong calendar supporting modular curriculum delivery.

Credit Measure

Credit hours for undergraduate and graduate programs are awarded as “units.”  A semester-long 3-unit undergraduate lecture class may meet three times per week for 50 minutes per session or twice per week for 80 minutes per session. Teaching and learning take many forms; online and hybrid classes require considerable time in the form of digital engagements such as discussion board activities, asynchronous webinar-type instruction or other online interactions. For all modalities of learning, the University assigns 3 units of credit when at least 9 full hours of standard academic work per week are expected of students.

Washington University credit for School of Law programs on the semester calendar is awarded in credit hours as outlined by the “American Bar Association (ABA) Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools” document, further noted on the School of Law website.

Courses in the Washington University School of Medicine MD program are scheduled in weeks, and credit is awarded as credit hours such that each week of instruction is valued at 1 unit of credit. A week of instruction represents at least 45 hours of direct instruction and out-of-class related academic work.

For the full policy, visit the Office of the Provost website.

Email Communication

Email is the mechanism for official communication with students at Washington University. Students are expected to read email communications from the university in a timely fashion.

All students will be individually assigned a University email address, which will be maintained in the University email directory. Official University communications will be sent to the student's University email address in order to ensure such communications reach the intended recipient.

With the exception of School of Medicine students, a student may have email forwarded from their assigned University email address to another email address of the student’s choice. School of Medicine students are prohibited from forwarding their University-assigned email address to an email address external to the University other than @bjc.org and @va.gov email domains. Students who choose to have email forwarded to another email address do so at their own risk. The University is not responsible for email forwarded to any other email address. A student's failure to read official University communications sent to the student's University email address does not absolve the student of responsibility for awareness of and compliance with the content of the official communication. Faculty and administrators should use a student's University email address when communicating via email with the student. This policy will ensure that all students will be able to comply with course and other requirements communicated to them by email from course instructors and administrators.

Graduate Student Academic Integrity Policies

Authority of Schools Over Graduate and Graduate Professional Students

1. Each school at the university may establish an academic integrity officer and/or a panel to hear and decide cases of alleged academic or professional misconduct by its graduate or graduate professional students. Schools that so choose are required to create procedures to govern the process of investigating and adjudicating the complaints filed.
   1. The school dean, or a designee, determines the composition of such a panel and the scope of the panel’s authority, which will not exceed the parameters set out immediately below.
   2. The panel has authority to impose or recommend appropriate sanctions to the school dean, including suspension or expulsion, if academic or professional misconduct is determined.
   3. Appeals of decisions made by an academic and professional integrity panel of a school may be made to the school dean, whose decision is final. This includes decisions of a school’s academic and professional integrity panel, where the panel is vested with such authority, and the panel’s decision is to impose the sanctions of suspension or expulsion. Schools are permitted, but not required, to establish an intermediate level of appeal that must be completed before a final appeal to the dean.
   4. Except for cases falling within the immediately preceding sub-bullet, any appeal from a decision of a dean of a school to suspend or expel a student will be made in accordance with the provisions of Section VI of the Code.
2. If a school does not establish an academic integrity officer or panel or if an established officer or panel fails to function, complaints of academic or professional misconduct against graduate or graduate professional students may be heard by Academic Integrity in the Office of the Provost, the Academic Integrity Board, or the Student Conduct Board.

Source: Washington University Student Conduct Code IV.A.6

Nondiscrimination Statement

Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid and employment. The university does not discriminate in access to, treatment during, or employment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability or genetic information.

Policy on Discrimination and Harassment

Washington University is committed to having a positive learning and working environment for its students, faculty and staff. University policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability or genetic information. Harassment based on any of these classifications is a form of discrimination; it violates university policy and will not be tolerated. In some circumstances, such discriminatory harassment may also violate federal, state or local law. A copy of the Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is available on the Human Resources website.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that violates university policy and will not be tolerated. It is also illegal under state and federal law. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) in the university's educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting claims of sex discrimination. The university has designated the Title IX Coordinator identified below to coordinate its compliance with and response to inquiries concerning Title IX.

For more information or to report a violation under the Policy on Discrimination and Harassment, please contact the following individuals:

Discrimination and Harassment Response Coordinators

Title IX Coordinator

Inquiries or complaints regarding civil rights may also be submitted to the United States Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights at 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-1100; by visiting the U.S. Department of Education website; or by calling 800-421-3481.

Statement of Intent to Graduate

Students are required to file an Intent to Graduate via WebSTAC prior to the semester in which they intend to graduate. Additional information is available from school dean's offices and the Office of the University Registrar.

Student Academic Records and Transcripts

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) — Title 20 of the United States Code, Section 1232g, as amended — current and former students of the university have certain rights with regard to their educational records. Washington University's FERPA policy is available via the Office of the University Registrar's website.

All current and former students may request official Washington University transcripts from the Office of the University Registrar via either WebSTAC (if they remember their WUSTL Key) or Parchment (if they do not have or cannot remember their WUSTL Key). Students may print unofficial transcripts for their personal use from WebSTAC. Instructions and additional information are available on the Office of the University Registrar's website.

Washington University does not release nor certify copies of transcripts or other academic documents received from other schools or institutions. This includes test score reports and transcripts submitted to Washington University for purposes of admission or evaluation of transfer credit.

Student Conduct

The Washington University in St. Louis Student Conduct Code (“the Code”) sets forth community standards and expectations for university students. These community standards and expectations are intended to foster an environment conducive to working, learning, and inquiry. Each student is held to the expectations outlined in the Code.

Freedom of thought and expression as well as respect for different points of view are essential to the university’s academic mission. Nothing in the Code should be construed to limit the lawful, free, and open exchange of ideas and viewpoints, even if that exchange proves to be offensive, distasteful, or disturbing to some. However, such speech must conform to university policies.

The Code also describes general procedures that may be used to ensure that these standards and expectations are upheld by all students. The university is committed to ensuring that students adhere to university policies, take responsibility for their actions, and recognize how their choices may affect others.

Complaints against students that include allegations of sex-based discrimination — including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking — in violation of the Student Conduct Code are governed by the procedures found on the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office website. These procedures are also available in hard copy from the Title IX Coordinator or the director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Students may be accountable to both governmental authorities and to the university for acts that constitute violations of law and the Student Conduct Code.

For a complete copy of the Student Conduct Code, visit the Student Affairs website.

For more information, visit the Student Conduct and Community Standards website.

Student Financial Responsibility

Communication

Washington University in St. Louis uses University-assigned email accounts and University-supported systems for communication with students and authorized users. Washington University will also contact students via personal email addresses, cellular phone numbers, or wireless devices from time to time regarding the Student Account or other general information. Students are responsible for reading University communications in a timely manner.

Promise to Pay

When students register for any course at or receive any service from Washington University in St. Louis, they accept full responsibility to pay all tuition, fees, and other associated charges assessed as a result of registration and/or receipt of services such as housing, dining, and other University-provided items that exceed financial support provided by the University, the University payment plan, and/or third parties by the scheduled due dates shown on the WebSTAC student account. Failure to attend class or receive a bill does not absolve students of financial responsibility as described above.

Failure to Pay

University policies regarding Student Accounts (including payment options, late fees, holds, and refunds) are published on the University's Financial Services website. If a student fails to pay the Student Account balance by the scheduled due dates, the University will place a financial hold preventing the student from registering for future courses and could assess a late fee on the past due portion until the past due amount is paid in full. Failure to pay will result in a Delinquent Student Receivable Account. Delinquent Student Accounts will be referred to University’s Collection Services department. Collection Services may report the Delinquent Student Account to one or more national credit bureaus, refer the Delinquent Student Account to a third-party collection agency, and pursue all legal and equitable remedies to collect the monies owed to the University.

Student Health

Drug and Alcohol Policy

Washington University is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for members of the university community by promoting a drug-free environment as well as one free of the abuse of alcohol. Violations of the Washington University Drug and Alcohol Policy will be handled according to existing policies and procedures concerning the conduct of faculty, staff, and students. This policy is adopted in accordance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act.

Tobacco-Free Policy

Washington University is committed to providing a healthy, comfortable and productive work and learning environment for all students, faculty and staff. Research shows that tobacco use in general, including smoking and breathing secondhand smoke, constitutes a significant health hazard. The university strictly prohibits all smoking and other uses of tobacco products within all university buildings and on university property, at all times. A copy of our complete Tobacco-Free Policy is available on the Human Resources website.

Medical Information

Entering students in Danforth Campus programs must provide medical information to the Habif Health and Wellness Center. This will include the completion of a health history and a record of all current immunizations.

If students fail to comply with these requirements prior to registration, they will be required to obtain vaccinations for measles, mumps and rubella at the Habif Health and Wellness Center, if there is no evidence of immunity. In addition, undergraduate students will be required to obtain meningitis vaccinations. Students will be assessed the cost of the vaccinations. Students will be unable to complete registration for classes until all health requirements have been satisfied.

Noncompliant students may be barred from classes and from all university facilities, including housing units, if in the judgment of the university their continued presence would pose a health risk to themselves or to the university community.

Medical and immunization information is to be given via the student portal on the Habif Health and Wellness Center website. All students who have completed the registration process should access the student portal on the website. Students should fill out the form and follow the instructions for transmitting it to the Habif Health and Wellness Center. Student information is treated securely and confidentially.

Time Away and Reinstatement

Degree-seeking students may be eligible to request a leave of absence for health or other personal reasons (e.g., family, military service, professional obligations, religious mission). The mechanism and process are described on the Office of the University Registrar’s website. Such leaves may exceed no more than two years from the effective date of the leave; individual programs' policies may limit students to shorter leaves. Students must verify their school and program policies and any other relevant requirements related to immigration or financial aid/support policies. Students who have not requested and received approval for reinstatement after two years will have their records withdrawn. 

Required enrollment reporting to the federal government will reflect a leave of absence for 180 days after it is enacted; any longer duration of institutional leave is recorded in their systems as a withdrawal.

Students on approved leave of absence will have their Washington University email addresses remain active, and they will retain access to WebSTAC to review their records. Access to other University privileges such as recreation facilities and libraries as well as participation in activities are paused during a leave of absence.

Students are expected to request reinstatement to in-progress status to resume studies via the process outlined on the Office of the University Registrar’s website. Depending on the nature of their leave, additional steps or documentation may be required and must be provided to appropriately consider the request. Students whose records have been withdrawn as a result of two years of inactivity may be allowed, depending on program-specific policies regarding the maximum time allowed to complete the program of study, to re-enter their programs. In these cases, additional requirements or steps may be required of the student depending on the circumstances, the length of time away, and whether their program of study has undergone curricular revisions since their enrollment. 

Undergraduate Student Academic Integrity Policy

Effective learning, teaching, and research all depend upon the ability of members of the academic community to trust one another and to trust the integrity of work that is submitted for academic credit or conducted in the wider arena of scholarly research.

Such an atmosphere of mutual trust fosters the free exchange of ideas and enables all members of the community to achieve their highest potential.

In all academic work, the ideas and contributions of others must be appropriately acknowledged, and the work of a student that is presented as original must be, in fact, original. Faculty, students, and administrative staff all share the responsibility of ensuring the honesty and fairness of the intellectual environment at Washington University in St. Louis.

Scope and Purpose

This statement on academic integrity applies to all undergraduate students at Washington University. Graduate students may be governed by policies in each graduate school or division. To the extent a graduate school or program has not adopted its own academic integrity policy, the provisions of this policy will apply. All students are expected to adhere to the highest standards of behavior.

The purpose of the statement is twofold:

1. To clarify the university’s expectations with regard to undergraduate students’ academic behavior; and
2. To provide specific examples of academic misconduct (the examples are only illustrative, not exhaustive).

This policy and statement were endorsed by the Faculty Senate Council. Any changes to the policy are to be reviewed by the Faculty Senate Council, as described in the Faculty Senate Council bylaws.

Violations of This Policy Include but Are Not Limited to the Following:

1. Plagiarism

   Plagiarism consists of taking someone else’s ideas, words or other types of work product and presenting them as one’s own. To avoid plagiarism, students are expected to be attentive to proper methods of documentation and acknowledgement. To avoid even the suspicion of plagiarism, a student must always:

   • Enclose every quotation in quotation marks and acknowledge its source.

   • Cite the source of every summary, paraphrase, abstraction or adaptation of material originally prepared by another person and any factual data that is not considered common knowledge. Include the name of author, title of work, publication information and page reference.

   • Acknowledge material obtained from lectures, interviews or other oral communication by citing the source (name of the speaker, the occasion, the place and the date).

   • Cite material from the internet or material generated by an artificial intelligence as if it were from a traditionally published source. Follow the citation style or requirements of the instructor for whom the work is produced.

2. Cheating on an Examination

   A student must not receive or provide any unauthorized assistance on an examination. During an examination, a student may use only materials authorized by the faculty.

3. Copying or Collaborating on Assignments Without Permission

   When a student submits work with their name on it, this is a written statement that credit for the work belongs to that student alone. If the work was a product of collaboration, each student is expected to clearly acknowledge in writing all persons or artificial intelligences who contributed to its completion.

   Unless the instructor explicitly states otherwise, it is dishonest to collaborate with others when completing any assignment or test, performing laboratory experiments, writing and/or documenting computer programs, writing papers or reports, and completing problem sets.

   If the instructor allows group work in some circumstances but not others, it is the student’s responsibility to understand the degree of acceptable collaboration for each assignment and to ask for clarification if necessary.

   To avoid cheating or unauthorized collaboration, a student should never:

   • Use, copy, or paraphrase the results of another person’s work or material generated by an artificial intelligence and represent that work as their own, regardless of the circumstances.

   • Refer to, study from, or copy archival files (e.g., old tests, homework, solutions manuals, or backfiles) that were not approved by the instructor.

   • Copy another’s work or to permit another student to copy their work.

   • Submit work as a collaborative effort if they did not contribute a fair share of the effort.

4. Fabrication or Falsification of Data or Records

   It is dishonest to fabricate or falsify data in laboratory experiments, research papers, reports or in any other circumstances; to fabricate source material in a bibliography or “works cited” list; or to provide false information on a résumé or other document in connection with academic efforts. It is also dishonest to take data developed by someone else and present them as one’s own.

   Examples of falsification include:

   • Altering information on any exam, problem set, or class assignment being submitted for a re-grade.

   • Altering, omitting, or inventing laboratory data to submit as one’s own findings. This includes copying laboratory data from another student to present as one’s own; modifying data in a write-up; and providing data to another student to submit as their own.

5. Other Forms of Deceit, Dishonesty or Inappropriate Conduct

   Under no circumstances is it acceptable for a student to:

   • Submit the same work, or essentially the same work, for more than one course without explicitly obtaining permission from all instructors. A student must disclose when a paper or project builds on work completed earlier in their academic career.

   • Request an academic benefit based on false information or deception. This includes requesting an extension of time, a better grade or a recommendation from an instructor.

   • Make any changes (including adding material or erasing material) on any test paper, problem set or class assignment being submitted for a re-grade.

   • Willfully damage the efforts or work of other students.

   • Steal, deface, or damage academic facilities or materials.

   • Collaborate with other students planning or engaging in any form of academic misconduct.

   • Submit any academic work under someone else’s name other than their own. This includes but is not limited to sitting for another person’s exam; both parties will be held responsible.

   • Violate any rules or conditions of test-taking or other course assessment (e.g., bringing materials or devices into an exam room when disallowed).

   • Engage in any other form of academic misconduct not covered here.

   This list is not intended to be exhaustive. To seek clarification, students should ask the professor or teaching assistant for guidance.

Reporting Misconduct

Faculty Responsibility

If a student observes others violating this policy, they are strongly encouraged to report the misconduct to the instructor, to seek advice from the academic integrity coordinator in the Office of the Provost, or to address the student(s) directly.

Student Responsibility

If a student observes others violating this policy, they are strongly encouraged to report the misconduct to the instructor, to seek advice from the academic integrity coordinator in the Office of the Provost, or to address the student(s) directly.

Exam Proctor Responsibility

Exam proctors are expected to report incidents of suspected student misconduct to the course instructor and/or the Disability Resources, if applicable.

Procedure

Jurisdiction

This policy covers all undergraduate students, regardless of their college of enrollment, as well as graduate and professional students whose schools and programs do not have a separate policy and procedure. Cases will be heard by a panel drawn from an Integrity Council made up of faculty, staff, and students representing the undergraduate schools and participating graduate programs.

Student Rights and Responsibilities in a Hearing

A student accused of an academic integrity violation, whether by a professor, teaching/graduate assistant, academic integrity coordinator or student is entitled to:

• A presumption of non-responsibility unless and until a panel determines that, based upon the evidence, it is more likely than not that the student engaged in a violation of academic integrity under this policy.
• Request a mediation/facilitation session prior to a hearing.
• Review the written evidence in support of the charge.
• Ask relevant questions.
• Offer an explanation as to what occurred.
• Present relevant material that would cast doubt on the correctness of the charge.
• Determination of the validity of the charge by an unbiased and objective panel and generally without reference to any past record of misconduct.

When responding to a charge of an academic integrity violation, a student may:

• Deny the charges and request a hearing in front of an Integrity Council panel.
• Admit the charges and request a hearing to determine recommended sanction(s).
• Admit the charges and accept the imposition of sanctions by the academic integrity coordinator without a committee hearing.
• Request a leave of absence from the university. The academic integrity matter must be resolved prior to re-enrollment. A notation will be placed on the student’s transcript indicating there is an unresolved academic integrity matter pending.
• Request to withdraw permanently from the university with a transcript notation that there is an unresolved academic integrity matter pending.

A student has the following responsibilities in resolving the charge of academic misconduct:

• Admit or deny the charge. This will determine the course of action to be pursued.
• Provide truthful information regarding the charges. It is a student code violation to provide false information to the university or anyone acting on its behalf.

Sanctions

If Found Not in Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy

If the charges of academic misconduct are not proven, no record of the allegation will appear on the student's transcript.

If Found in Violation of the Academic Integrity Policy

If, after a hearing, a student is found responsible for violation of the academic integrity policy or if a student has admitted to the charges prior to a hearing, the academic integrity coordinator may impose sanctions, including but not limited to the following:

• Issue a formal written reprimand.
• Impose educational sanctions, such as completing a workshop on plagiarism or academic ethics.
• Recommend to the instructor that the student fail the assignment. (A grade is ultimately the prerogative of the instructor.)
• Recommend to the instructor that the student fail the course.
• Recommend to the instructor that the student receive a course grade penalty less severe than failure of the course.
• Place the student on disciplinary probation for a specified period of time or until defined conditions are met. The probation will be noted on the student’s transcript and internal record while it is in force.
• Impose suspension or expulsion.

Additional educational sanctions may be imposed. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

A hearing panel may also elect to refer their recommended sanctions to the SCB Chairperson for determination if, for example, the recommendation departs from their standard recommendations.

Withdrawing from the course will not prevent the academic integrity coordinator or hearing panel from adjudicating the case, imposing sanctions, or recommending grade penalties, including a failing grade in the course.

A copy of the sanction letter will be placed in the student’s academic file and may be reported in accordance with the Policy on Reporting of Student Conduct Violations.

Appeals

If a student believes the panel did not conduct a fair hearing, or if a student believes the sanction imposed is excessive (i.e., suspension or expulsion), they may seek an appeal within 14 days of the original decision. For cases in which the decision was made by the panel and Academic Integrity Coordinator, the appellate officer will be the Chair of the Student Conduct Board. For cases in which the decision was made by the Panel and the Student Conduct Board Chairperson, the Vice Provost of Educational Initiatives or the Vice Provost for Graduate Education will serve as the appellate officer. Appeals are governed by Section VII of the university Student Conduct Code.

Administrative Record-Keeping Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the academic integrity coordinators to keep accurate, confidential records concerning academic integrity violations. When a student has been found responsible for an academic integrity violation, a letter summarizing the allegation, the outcome, and the sanction will be placed in the student’s official conduct file and may be reported out in accordance with the Policy on Reporting of Student Conduct Violations.

In addition, a report of the outcome of every formal accusation of student academic misconduct will be shared with the director of university student conduct programs, who shall maintain a record of each incident.

Multiple Offenses

When a student is formally accused of academic misconduct and a hearing is to be held, the academic integrity coordinator shall query the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) about the student(s) accused of misconduct. OSCCS shall provide any information in the OSCCS records concerning prior code violations of that student to the integrity coordinator. Such information will be used in determining sanctions if the student is found responsible for an academic integrity violation in the present case. Evidence of past misconduct generally may not be used to resolve the issue of whether a student has committed a violation in a subsequent case unless the hearing chair deems it relevant.

Reports to Faculty and Student Body

Periodic (at least annual) reports will be made to the students and faculty of their school concerning accusations of academic misconduct and the outcomes, without disclosing specific information that would allow identification of the student(s) involved.

Endorsed by the Faculty Senate Council on March 16, 2010
Effective July 1, 2010
Updated December 4, 2014

Endorsed by the Faculty Senate Council on October 18, 2023
Updated April 18, 2024