Dean’s Discipline
Dean’s Discipline is the process used to investigate and respond to allegations of academic or behavioral misconduct of a graduate student in GSAS. Academic dishonesty violates the principle of intellectual integrity that is the foundation of this institution. Violating that principle is one of the most serious offenses that a student may commit. Similarly, students are expected to behave at all times in a manner that does not interfere with or hinder the rights of other members of the university community.
For a full description of GSAS and university policies, the violation of which may result in Dean’s Discipline, please refer to GSAS definitions of good academic and administrative standing, the Essential Policies for the Columbia Community, and the Columbia University Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Student Policies on Discrimination and Harassment.
In partnership with GSAS, Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) administers the Dean’s Discipline process. Students, faculty, and staff may file a report directly to CSSI for any incident involving a GSAS graduate student. Please visit CSSI to learn more about academic or behavioral violations or to report an incident of misconduct. The full Dean’s Discipline process is outlined in the Standards and Discipline document.
Transcript Notations
A notation will be made on a transcript whenever an academic disciplinary action is taken against a student. A brief explanation of common notations follows:
- Description
- Disciplinary Expulsion
- Explanation
- Disciplinary process resulted in decision to deny student the opportunity to complete a degree. No further appeals available. The student is permanently separated from the University and will not be permitted to return at any time.
- Category Type
- Permanent
- Description
- Academic Dismissal
- Explanation
- Student made inadequate progress toward degree. No further opportunity to complete the degree will be granted. No further appeals available.
- Category Type
- Permanent
- Description
- Disciplinary Suspension
- Explanation
- Student has been temporarily suspended by judicial affairs. During this period, the student is ineligible to participate in any Columbia University affiliated academic or extracurricular activities. Additionally, the student is not permitted to enroll in classes at any other institution for the purpose of transferring credit back to Columbia University.
- Category Type
- Permanent
- Description
- Academic Suspension
- Explanation
- Student has been temporarily suspended for lack of progress to degree. During this period, the student is ineligible to participate in any Columbia University affiliated academic or extracurricular activities. Additionally, the student is not permitted to enroll in classes at any other institution for the purpose of transferring credit back to Columbia University.
- Category Type
- Permanent
- Description
- Withdrawal with Pending Disciplinary Action
- Explanation
- Temporary suspension for disciplinary reasons, removable when disciplinary action reconciled. Student withdrawn due to pending judicial affairs case
- Category Type
- Temporary