Misconduct alleged during the course: When an incident of alleged academic misconduct is discovered by or brought to the attention of the course instructor during the course, the instructor personally contacts the accused student within ten (10) working days to arrange a meeting. The course instructor and the student may each have a person of choice present at this meet. At this meeting the course instructor will:
- Inform the student of the alleged academic misconduct and present the evidence supporting the allegation.
- Allow the student an opportunity to respond to the charge(s) and evidence (the student is not required to respond).
- Discuss the academic penalty and possible University sanctions and allow the student to respond.
Misconduct alleged at or after the conclusion of course: When an incident of alleged academic misconduct is discovered or brought to the attention of the course instructor at or after the conclusion of the course, the course instructor notifies the student in writing and takes steps (a) through (c) above and will follow up in writing. Upon the conclusion of the investigation the student(s) grade could be changed.
At faculty discretion, academic misconduct in a course may result in an “F” grade on the assignment or examination, or in the course. If a student denies the charge of cheating, s/he may bring the case to the Academic Standards Committee for review.
The Dean of Students and/or the Academic Standards Committee will determine if any additional university sanctions are required. In reported cases of repeated cheating, the Academic Standards Committee may be alerted and consider applying additional penalties beyond those imposed by the individual instructors. Disciplinary actions might include but are not limited to: reprimand, educational sanctions (completion of a report, paper, project, or workshop), loss of membership in organizations, or disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University.
The faculty member is required to submit the Academic Dishonesty Violation Referral form for any instance of academic misconduct, even if after meeting with the student (s) the decision is that academic misconduct did not occur. In the case of University sanctions the notice to the student includes:
- A statement of the specific academic misconduct committed
- A concise summary of the facts upon which the charge is based
- A statement of the University sanction(s)
- A statement of the appeal procedure
If, within ten (10) working days, the student does not appeal the decision to impose the University sanction, the allegation in the notice of University sanction will be accepted. The Provost for Academic Affairs and/or the Dean of Students will instruct the appropriate University officials to implement the sanction. A written summary of the case will be placed in the student’s disciplinary file maintained by the Dean of Students. No University sanction or academic penalty is imposed until final resolution of the charge(s) or until the deadline for an appeal has passed.