Academic Integrity

The Code of Student Conduct allows for staff in Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities to address academic integrity violations. While faculty members retain the right to determine grade penalty, the official University disciplinary response comes through the disciplinary process.

Academic Integrity Cases

Faculty members are encouraged to report all instances of academic dishonesty to Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities. Faculty members retain authority to determine grade penalties, but shall follow the following procedures in resolving academic dishonesty concerns:

1. Faculty members who discover academic dishonesty shall arrange to meet with an accused student as soon as possible to discuss the allegation. Prior to this meeting the faculty member may consult with Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities staff.
2. If the student acknowledges academic dishonesty and the faculty member is satisfied that the incident has been resolved:
1. The faculty member will discuss the grade penalty to be applied and/or the reparation required of the student. Faculty members should adhere to the grade penalty policy, if any, noted in their course syllabus. Faculty members without such a policy in the course syllabus should develop grade penalties consistent with the nature of the offense.
2. A written summary of the incident and the resolution will be forwarded by the faculty member to Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities.
3. A Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities staff member shall conduct a case Management Conference with the student to determine if a disciplinary resolution can be reached. This resolution must meet with the approval of the student, the referring faculty member, and staff.
4. If a resolution cannot be reached through a Case Management Conference, the case will be referred to a formal hearing body.
3. If the student denies the allegation of academic dishonesty or the faculty member believes that the severity of the infraction may warrant a suspension or dismissal from the institution:
   1. The faculty member will discuss the grade penalty to be applied and/or the reparation required of the student. Faculty members should adhere to the grade penalty policy, if any, noted in their course syllabus. Faculty members without such a policy in the course syllabus should develop grade penalties consistent with the nature of the offense.
   2. A written summary of the incident and the resolution will be forwarded by the faculty member to Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities.
   3. A Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities staff member shall conduct a case Management Conference with the student to determine if a disciplinary resolution can be reached. This resolution must meet with the approval of the student, the referring faculty member, and staff.
   4. If a resolution cannot be reached through a Case Management Conference, the case will be referred to a formal hearing body. In the event of a hearing, the faculty member will be provided the same basic due process rights as an Complainant party.
   5. No grade penalty shall be assigned by the instructor until the formal hearing body determines that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred. If the allegation cannot be resolved prior to the end of the current semester, a grade of "Incomplete" shall be assigned pending the outcome of the hearing.
   6. The faculty member will be notified of the outcome of the disciplinary case in order to assign grade penalties for violations.
4. Students receiving a grade penalty for alleged academic dishonesty violations without adherence to the above procedures may file a grievance with the Provost's Office.

For faculty wishing to report a suspected case of academic dishonesty, please use the academic dishonesty referral form.