Academic Dishonesty
Statement of Principle Regarding Academic Dishonesty
Intellectual honesty is a cornerstone of all academic and scholarly work.
Therefore, the faculty view any form of academic dishonesty as a very
serious matter. The AJC and CEAS CASA are responsible for the establishment
of general guidelines for dealing with academic dishonesty in the colleges
and for the consideration of individual complaints as outlined below.
Further information regarding functions of the committees is available from
the Undergraduate Student Office in the College of Engineering and Applied
Sciences.
Definition
Academic dishonesty includes any act that is designed to obtain
fraudulently, either for oneself or for someone else, academic credit,
grades, or other recognition that is not properly earned or that adversely
affects another's grade. The following represents examples of this and does
not constitute an exhaustive list:
- Cheating on exams or assignments by the use of books, electronic devices, notes, or other aids when these are not permitted, or by copying from another student.
- Collusion: two or more students helping one another on an exam or assignment when it is not permitted.
- Ringers: taking an exam for someone else, or permitting someone else to take one's exam.
- Submitting the same paper in more than one course without permission of the instructors.
- Plagiarizing: copying someone else's writing or paraphrasing it too closely, even if it constitutes only some of your written assignment, without proper citation.
- Submitting the same paper in more than one course without approval of the instructors.
- Falsifying documents or records related to credit, grades, status (e.g., adds and drops, P/NC grading, transcripts), or other academic matters.
- Altering an exam or paper after it has been graded in order to request a grade change.
- Stealing, concealing, destroying, or inappropriately modifying classroom or other instructional material, such as posted exams, library materials, laboratory supplies, or computer programs.
- Preventing relevant material from being subjected to academic evaluation.
- Presenting fabricated excuses for missed assignments or tests.
Electronic Devices
Electronic communication devices, including cellular phones, beepers,
speakers, and headphones must be secured in a closed container (and not, for
example, worn on a belt or around the neck) and must be turned off (and not,
for example, simply set on vibration mode) during any examination. This
policy shall be announced before each examination. Note: even if a student
does not answer a ringing cell phone during an exam, it can be considered
academic dishonesty for not having it turned off.
In addition, many departments have policies on the types of calculators and/or other instruments that may be used during exams. Students are responsible for abiding by departmental policies during their exams.
Procedures for Filing an Accusation of Academic
Dishonesty
Any member of the academic community may bring forward
an accusation of academic dishonesty to the appropriate college judiciary
committee (in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, this is the
Committee on Academic Standing and Appeals). The accusation should be
submitted in writing within two weeks of the discovery of the alleged
offense. When it is not possible for the accusation to be made within the
two-week period, justification for the lateness should be included in the
filing documentation. Instructors who suspect academic dishonesty must
report their suspicions to the appropriate judiciary committee; they should
not assign a penalty without also informing the committee. Instructors may
wish to consult with the hearing officer before assigning penalties.
When the CEAS CASA receives a timely accusation, a copy of the accusation,
the proposed penalty, and the policies and procedures brochure will be sent
to all parties named in the report of dishonesty. Those parties accused will
have two weeks from the date of notification to inform the committee whether
or not they intend to appeal the accusation.
Penalties for Academic Dishonesty in Course Work
A student who is found guilty of a first offense will typically be given
a Q grade for the course, signifying that he or she has committed an act of
academic dishonesty. The Q is computed in the student's GPA as an F. Except
where the CEAS CASA specifies otherwise; the Q grade is automatically
removed and replaced with the earned grade including any penalty assigned by
the instructor when the student completes a non-credit academic integrity
course (called “the Q course”).
An F for the course is considered to be an appropriate penalty grade for an
act of academic dishonesty, though a more lenient or more severe penalty may
be recommended under certain circumstances. For example, where premeditation
or conspiracy (e.g., use of ringers or electronic devices) is involved,
penalties such as suspension or expulsion may be considered. The minimum
penalty is typically a zero on the assignment in question. In all cases a
written report of the offense and the action taken by the instructor must be
forwarded to the CEAS CASA in order that students may be formally notified
of the charges and of the mechanism of appeal, and so that students who have
been charged with academic dishonesty more than once can be identified. A
course for which a penalty grade has been assigned cannot be dropped or
taken Pass/No Credit.
The Q Course
The Q course meets for 1 hour per week for 10 weeks during the fall and
spring semesters. (It may also be offered during the summer and winter
intersession, based on instructor availability.) Space is limited, so
students are encouraged to register at least one month before the start date
for the course. You may find out more about the Q course or register for it
by calling the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Office at 632-7080.
Multiple Offenses
If a student is found to have committed two or more acts of academic
dishonesty, the CEAS CASA will consider recommending a penalty in addition
to those already established for the separate offenses. This action is
normally taken in the semester in which there is any additional offense or
within two months of the latest offense, whichever is longer. The penalties
for a second offense include suspension or permanent expulsion from the
University, a permanent notation on the student's academic record of
academic dishonesty, and a permanent Q grade for all courses for which the
student has committed acts of academic dishonesty. The final decision to
suspend or expel rests with the campus president.
Appeals and Hearings
A student accused of academic dishonesty may appeal the
accusation to the relevant judiciary committee. An accusation that is not
appealed will be rendered as a finding of academic dishonesty. By appealing
the accusation, the student asserts that he or she did not violate
university policy concerning academic dishonesty.
All appeals must be presented in writing not later than two weeks after
notification of the accusation. On receiving an appeal, the hearing officer
will inform the instructor or department and schedule a hearing, to be held
as soon as possible after receipt of the student's appeal. On receiving an
appeal, the hearing officer will ensure that an "I" is entered on the
student's record and that a distribution hold is placed on the student's
transcript until the matter is adjudicated.
Students who challenge an accusation for a course that is in progress should
continue attending the class and completing coursework. Any student who is
granted a hearing and is found not guilty will receive his or her earned
grade in the course.
A student who is granted a hearing and is found guilty will receive
penalties as described above. These penalties may differ from the penalty
recommended by the reporting instructor. In cases where students do not
appeal, the recommended penalty is applied, with very few exceptions.
Note: A student who is found guilty and is determined to have presented false evidence or false testimony at the hearing may have a second accusation of dishonesty brought against him or her by the hearing board, which would be associated with multiple, and more serious, penalties.
Students who are found guilty of academic dishonesty must take the university’s Q Course no later than the next academic semester in which they are registered.
Hearing Boards
A hearing board will consist of a hearing officer, at least two faculty
and/or professional staff members and/or teaching assistants, and two
undergraduate students. In the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences,
the CASA chair will usually serve as hearing officer.
Academic dishonesty hearing boards are normally drawn by the CEAS CASA from
its own members, but may also include faculty and staff who have volunteered
to serve on hearing boards. In cases where the hearing officer is affiliated
with the department from which an accusation arises, he or she will not
serve as a voting member of the hearing board but will be replaced by
another faculty or staff member.
Evidence
Students may be found guilty of academic dishonesty on the basis of
direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a combination of the two. This
may include, for example, any of the following: a dramatic change in writing
style, possession of accessible notes, devices, or similarly prohibited
material during an exam, observed communication between students during an
exam, or unusual similarity among exams, papers, or other work. The standard
of evidence used by the Hearing Board is “clear and convincing.”
The Hearing
The appellant will be given an opportunity to address the hearing board.
The appellant may bring an advisor and/or witnesses. Advisors may be allowed
to be present at the discretion of the hearing officer, but only when the
appellant is present. Advisors may counsel their advisees during the hearing
but do not have privilege of the floor. The hearing officer must be notified
of the intention to bring advisors or witnesses no later than one working
day prior to the hearing.
The accuser should be present at the hearing and may also bring an advisor
and/or witnesses. Advisors may be allowed to be present at the discretion of
the hearing officer, but only when the accuser is present. Advisors may
counsel their advisees during the hearing but do not have privilege of the
floor. The hearing officer must be notified of the accuser's intention to
bring an advisor and/or witnesses no later than one working day prior to the
hearing. If the accuser is unavailable for the hearing, the charge must be
detailed in writing and the accuser represented by a member of his or her
department.
The board may call its own witnesses and introduce pertinent information to
the hearing. The board may bring an advisor, who may remain during the
entire hearing. The accuser and the appellant may ask each other questions,
as well as ask questions of each other's witnesses.
When two or more students are accused of collusion in an academic dishonesty
case, each will have the opportunity if they request it to meet with the
board independently of the other and the other's advisors and witnesses.
The hearing officer may dismiss any participant who exhibits disruptive
behavior during the hearing. The board will attempt to reach a decision on
the basis of the evidence before it regardless of the presence or absence of
the persons concerned, their witnesses, or their advisors. In cases where
reasonable notice of absence for cause has been given (at least 24 hours),
the hearing will be postponed and rescheduled as soon as possible.
Hearings normally proceed as follows:
The person(s) reporting the act of academic dishonesty makes a statement summarizing the case. Evidence may be presented at this point to support the charge. This statement cannot be interrupted by questions or challenges.
The accused student then makes a statement responding to the accusation. The student may present evidence at this point supporting his or her innocence. The student's statement cannot be interrupted by questions or challenges. If the hearing concerns multiple students accused of collaborative cheating, all accused students will be present for the instructor's statement. Each will make a separate response statement with the other accused students not present. If a statement by any of the students implicates any of the others, that student will be informed so that he or she can respond.
The members of the hearing board may ask questions of any of those present, including witnesses. Witnesses will normally not be present for the initial statements and will be called in to the hearing room only after initial statements are presented and the hearing board's initial questions are answered. Their presence will normally be permitted only during their testimony. Either party may call witnesses.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the board will make a decision of "guilty"
or "not guilty." All decisions will be made by majority of the members
present (including the hearing officer). The individual votes and tally are
not divulged.
Although there is substantial variance, hearings normally are completed in
about an hour. The outcome of the hearing is normally available 24 hours
later. Students and instructors will be notified in writing of the outcome.
Appeal of Committee Action
The accused or the accuser may appeal the board's finding to the CEAS
Dean or his or her designee. Appeals must be based on new evidence and/or
errors in procedure or conduct on the part of the hearing board. This new
appeal should be presented within one week of the original hearing board's
decision.
Completion of Cases
Once a charge has been initiated, the hearing or review procedures
prescribed by these rules will be completed whether or not the complainant
or student remains associated with the university.
Confidentiality
All committee records of findings of academic dishonesty are confidential
and are accessible only to the committee, the dean of the College of
Engineering and Applied Sciences and their designees, pre-professional
committees whose request for such information have been honored by the CEAS
CASA, and to others specifically granted such access by the student(s) named
in the case. The Q grade and any relevant notation, however, are accessible
to anyone with access to the student's transcript for the period during
which they appear on the transcript. Generally, both the Q grade and
notation are temporary and students can remove both from their transcript by
taking the Q course.
In a case where the committee itself determines a penalty, this penalty may
include a specific request that a statement of the committee's finding be
entered in the student's permanent academic record.
All Academic Judiciary mail will be addressed to students at the address on
record in the Registrar's Office. If you do not want mail sent to that
address, contact the CEAS Undergraduate Student Office as soon as possible.