The following policy, adopted ___________________________, defines a uniform approach to acts of academic misconduct involving students in courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Academic integrity requires the honest performance of academic responsibilities by students. Academic responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the preparation of assignments, reports and term papers, the taking of examinations, and a sincere and conscientious effort by students to abide by the policies set forth by instructors.
Any subversion or compromise of academic integrity thus constitutes academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include (among others) falsification, unauthorized assistance with, or plagiarism of, reports, term papers, research papers or other written documents; giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations; disruption of classes; the offering of gratuities or favors in return for grades.
When an instructor determines that a student has violated academic integrity as described above, the instructor may charge the student with academic misconduct. The following sanctions for academic misconduct are from the provisions of Article II, Section 6 of the University Senate Rules and Regulations.
1. Sanction 1 (Admonition) and Sanction 2 (Warning). These sanctions may be imposed by the instructor alone.
2. Sanction 3 (Censure) and Sanction 4 (Reduction of Grade). The instructor may administer Sanctions 3 and 4, by informing the student in writing, of the charge and the penalty imposed, and informing the student of the right to appeal. The instructor may wish to consult with the department chairperson.
3. Sanction 4(b) (Reduction of grade for the entire course, e.g., awarding an F for the course even though the work not involved in academic misconduct was adequate for the student to receive a passing grade), Sanction 5 (Disciplinary Probation), Sanction 6 (Suspension), and Sanction 7 (Expulsion). If the student is charged with multiple offenses of academic misconduct, or if the instructor and chairperson determine that the severity of the misconduct warrants a more serious sanction, a detailed report of the offense shall be forwarded to the Dean of the College within ten working days from the date of the charges. A recommendation of Sanctions 4(b), 5, 6, or 7 may be included in the report. The dean will appoint a hearing panel consisting of three faculty members to conduct a hearing for all parties involved. This hearing shall be scheduled as soon as possible after required notification has been received. The hearing panel, having heard the charges and the student's response, will determine the validity of the charge of academic misconduct. If the student is determined to have committed an act of academic misconduct, the panel will determine which of the above sanctions, if any, are to be imposed, based on the severity of the offense and records of previous incidents of academic misconduct. The panel will notify the Dean of its decision.
If the student desires to appeal a decision by the instructor, the student may appeal through the department or College grievance procedures. Sanctions 5, 6, or 7, may be appealed through the Judicial Board, in accordance with University Senate Rules and Regulations, Article II, Section 6, 2.6.3.
For sanctions other than 1. (Admonition) and 2 (Warning), the instructor must inform both the student and the instructor's department chairperson of the charge by use of a "Charge of Academic Misconduct" form provided by the College Office. If it is not possible to give the form to the student in person, the form shall be sent by certified mail to the student no later than five working days from the date of the charge. Included on the form is the instructor's recommendation for an appropriate sanction to be imposed. Upon receipt of the Charge of Academic Misconduct, the student shall indicate in writing, on a portion of the form designated for this purpose, his or her agreement or disagreement with the charge. The student will return the form to the departmental office. The student will have five days from the receipt of the form to respond to the charge. Failure to return the form will indicate agreement with the charge.
When the sanctions of Censure (3) reduction of grade on a particular piece of work 4(a), reduction of grade which may include the awarding of an F in the course 4(b), Disciplinary Probation 5, Suspension 6, or Expulsion 7 have been imposed, a copy of the Charge of Academic Misconduct form will be retained in the departmental office and in the Office of the College of the Liberal Arts and Sciences.
If the student is not in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the form will be sent to the Dean of the appropriate school. Another copy will be sent to the Office of Academic Affairs. The Charge of Academic Misconduct form will be removed from University files upon reversal of the action through the appeal process. If the action is not reversed through the appeal process, the form will remain in the files for five years after imposition of the sanction or three years after graduation, whichever comes first unless the hearing panel sets a different date.
Imposition of Sanctions
3. Sanction 4(b) (Reduction of grade for the entire course, e.g., awarding an F for the course even though the work not involved in academic misconduct was adequate for the student to receive a passing grade), Sanction 5 (Disciplinary Probation), Sanction 6 (Suspension), and Sanction 7 (Expulsion). If the student is charged with multiple offenses of academic misconduct, or if the instructor and chairperson determine that the severity of the misconduct warrants a more serious sanction, a detailed report of the offense shall be forwarded to the Dean of the College within ten working days from the date of the charges. A recommendation of Sanctions 4(b), 5, 6, or 7 may be included in the report. The Dean will appoint a hearing panel consisting of three faculty members to conduct a hearing for all parties involved. This hearing shall be scheduled as soon as possible after required notification has been received. The hearing panel, having heard the charges and the student's response, will determine the validity of the charge of academic misconduct. If the student is determined to have committed an act of academic misconduct, the panel will determine which of the above sanctions are to be imposed, based on the severity of the offense and records of previous incidents of academic misconduct. The panel will notify the Dean of its decision.
