Academic Procedures

• Academic Integrity
• Forms of Academic Dishonesty
• What Can A Student Do To Protect Themselves
• Violations of Academic Integrity
• Grade Grievance Procedures

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to exhibit academic integrity by being honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the words or ideas of another or to cheat on an examination corrupts the essential learning process by which learning is advanced.

Forms Of Academic Dishonesty

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is the intentional violation of college policies by tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an unadministered test.

Examples:

• Stealing, buying or otherwise obtaining all or part of an unadministered test.
• Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test including answers to an unadministered test.
• Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or any information about the test.
• Entering a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an unadministered test or changing a grade in a grade book, on a test or on other work for which a grade is given.
• Changing or being an accessory to the changing of a grade in a grade book, on a test, a Change of Grade form or other official academic records of the college.

Cheating

Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents mastery of information on an academic exercise.

Examples:

• Copying from another student’s test paper.
• Allowing another student to copy from a test paper.
• Using the course textbook or other material such as a notebook brought to a class meeting but not authorized for use during a test.
• Collaborating during a test with any other person by receiving information without authority.
• Using specifically prepared materials during a test (e.g. notes, text messages, formula lists, notes written on the student’s clothing or body, etc.).

Fabrication

Fabrication is the intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.

Examples:

• Citation of information not taken from the source indicated.
• Listing sources in a bibliography not used in the academic exercise.
• Inventing data or source information for research or other academic exercise.

Forgery

Forgery is making, adapting or imitating objects or documents with the intent to deceive.

Examples:

• Submitting as your own any academic exercise (e.g. written work, printing, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another.
• Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific documentation and, if verbatim statements are included, through separation from the rest of the paper by indention or quotation marks as well. By submitting work for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. A student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is an acknowledgment of indebtedness:

• Whenever one quotes another person’s actual words.
• Whenever one uses another person’s idea, opinion or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one’s own words.
• Whenever one borrows facts, statistics or other illustrative materials – unless the information is common knowledge.

What can students do to protect themselves?

• Prepare thoroughly for examinations and assignments.
• Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying your exam or assignments, e.g. shield your answer sheet during exams; do not lend assignments to be turned in to other students, etc.
• Refer to the course syllabus for information regarding academic honesty or ask the faculty member for guidance.
• Do not look in the direction of other students’ papers during examinations.
• Use a recognized handbook for instruction on citing source materials. Consult with individual faculty, academic departments or the library reference staff when in doubt.
• Use the services of the Academic and Career Enhancement (ACE) Center.
• Refuse to assist students who cheat.

Violations of Academic Integrity

Violations of academic integrity are resolved within the Office of Academic and Student Affairs. It is intended that resolution take place at the lowest possible administrative level preserving both the integrity of the college and the dignity of the student. The following discipline may be taken if a student is determined to be guilty of academic dishonesty:

• Repeating the assignment or completing an alternative one.
• Issuing a warning or providing counseling.
• Assigning a grade of “I” until the alleged violation is adjudicated.
• Giving a failing grade for the assignment.
• Assigning a grade of “F” for the course.
• Multiple or extremely serious violations may result in disenrollment from the college.

The student may appeal the discipline assessed by the faculty member to the department chair and the decision of the department chair to the division dean. Either party may contest the dean’s decision by submitting an appeal in writing prior to the last day of the following semester (i.e. fall or spring) to the vice-president for academic and student affairs, whose decision is final.  Withdrawing from the course will not prevent the faculty member, department chair, division dean or the Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs from imposing sanctions, or recommending grade penalties, including a failing grade in the course.

Grade Grievance Procedures

Students with concerns about grades should ask the instructor for clarification/resolution.  Concerns about final grades must be expressed prior to the last day of the following semester (i.e. fall or spring).  If, after contacting the instructor, the student still has concerns, the student should contact the program coordinator or department chair who will work with the student and the instructor to resolve the matter. If the department is unable to remedy the situation, the student should contact the division dean. If the resolution is unsatisfactory, the student may submit an appeal in writing to the vice-president for academic and student affairs, SSB 2110. Anonymous calls or unsigned letters will not be acknowledged. Only concerns expressed by the individual student involved will be addressed.