To All Faculty

 

Dear Colleagues,

 

The procedures and forms for dealing with academic misconduct, informally or formally, are linked below. If you have an issue related to student academic misconduct, please refer the the procedures linked below or call me or Margaret Cuchel (2168) and we will be happy to answer any questions that you have, now or in the future.  Attached you will find electronic versions of the Academic Misconduct procedures, which will appear in the 2002-2003 Student Handbook; the Code of Academic Integrity, which you may use on syllabi or distribute before an exam or assignment; and the forms for filing formal charges or to report informal resolutions.

 

 

Best,

 

Ken

 

Kenneth E. Johnson

Assistant Vice President

Academic Affairs

 

 

 

 

 

FACULTY-UNIT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING STUDENT ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

 

 

The new procedures for dealing with academic misconduct are now in effect. Please become familiar with the procedures, which are the outcome of a University committee, and consultation with academic units, and approved by the Faculty Senate.

 

Code of Academic Integrity

 

On November 28, 2001, the Student Government Association adopted the Code of Academic Integrity, which can be incorporated into syllabi, distributed prior to an exam, or employed in any way that might help to prevent academic misconduct.  Please be advised that requiring students to sign the pledge may not be enforceable; however, you may ask students to sign an acknowledgment that they have read the Pledge.

 

Academic Misconduct Procedures

 

When you suspect a student of having plagiarized, cheated, or committed any other misconduct defined in the Student Handbook,

 

C    Do a preliminary investigation, which would involve gathering what evidence you can from web search engines, secondary sources, etc.

 

C    Contact Margaret Cuchel (72168) to determine if the student has a prior record of misconduct.  If the student does, then the issue cannot be resolved informally and you need to file a Formal Complaint form.

 

C    Meet with the student within 14 calendar days of becoming aware of the alleged misconduct to confront him/her with your suspicions and your evidence.  Listen to his/her explanations.

 

C    If you feel your allegations give you probable cause to initiate Formal or Informal misconduct procedures, indicate to the student that you are either willing to resolve the issue informally or that you intend to file formal charges.

 

Informal Resolution

 

If you offer the student an Informal Resolution, you need to agree with the student as to what are the acceptable sanctions.  Any sanctions listed in the Student Handbook, other than suspension or expulsion, may be agreed upon in an Informal Resolution. Any sanction, such as requiring community service or requiring the student to a specific course, should consult with Margaret Cuchel or Ken Johnson in order to discuss the enforcement of such a sanction.  Enforcement would normally be done by the Office of the Provost. Suspension or expulsion can only be given as the result of a Formal Resolution.

 

The student needs to be made aware that he/she may petition the Provost’s office one semester before graduation to have the record of the Informal Resolution expunged. Records of Formal Resolutions are permanently kept in the Provost’s office.

 

You must fill out an Informal Resolution form and have the student sign his/her consent.  The student has three school days to rescind consent, after which the Informal Resolution form is filed in the Provost’s office by you, no later than 14 calendar days after your meeting with the student.

 

Formal Resolution

 

If no Informal Resolution is forthcoming, or you believe the nature of the misconduct is egregious enough not to warrant an Informal Resolution, you must fill out the Formal Misconduct form and file it with the Provost’s office no later than 14 calendar days after date of the meeting with the student.

 

Along with the Formal Misconduct Charge, you must also provide what evidence you have and indicate your willingness to participate in the Formal Misconduct procedures as outlined in the Student Handbook.

                       

Note: A Formal Resolution does not automatically result in sanctions of suspension or expulsion.

 

 

All necessary forms and a copy of the Pledge can be obtained from Jeanne Disney (PC 525) or at your dean’s office. If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Cuchel or Ken Johnson (7-2168)

 

Here are links to useful Documents

 

1. Student Academic Misconduct Procedures

 

2. Code of Academic Integrity

 

3. Informal Resolution: Consent Agreement Form

 

4. Formal Complaint Form

 

5. Letter to all Students

 

6. Academic Misconduct FlowChart