Academic Integrity Policy (from Student Code of Conduct and Community Expectations)

A. Suspicion of an academic integrity violation.

1. When a faculty member suspects a student had engaged in academic dishonesty, the faculty member should immediately initiate a discussion with the student to further evaluate grounds for suspicion and educate the student about academic integrity issues.If no violation is established, the faculty member should discuss with the student the reasons for suspicion and discuss general issues of integrity. No records need be kept of the suspicion or incident. If the faculty member concludes that a possible violation has occurred, follow section B.
2. In all cases where a student alleges a possible violation, the alleging student should contact the faculty member responsible for the course in which the alleged violation has occurred to initiate faculty controlled process.
3. In all cases a faculty member may consult with colleagues about the validity of suspicions, but must preserve the student’s anonymity.

1. It is the faculty member’s duty to address the issue and to not let it go unacknowledged.
2. From this point on, the faculty member is to keep records of all correspondence or contact; keep copies of papers, exams or other materials involved.
3. The faculty member notifies the academic dean of the suspected violation for information tracking purposes, to allow for the recognition of repeat violations and to assist in coordination with department specific policies.

1. Faculty member meets with the student to discuss the review process, including the appeal process and possible sanction. The primary purpose of this meeting is to collect critical information (including the student’s side of the matter and pertinent information) and to assess intent and knowledge regarding the nature and circumstances of the alleged violation. This should be structured to be a learning situation for the student.
2. Once the above meeting is complete, the faculty member needs to determine and communicate the appropriate sanction.
3. Appeals of the faculty controlled review process must be made to the appropriate academic dean. All appeals must be in writing and made on the basis of process error or inappropriate sanction. All decisions at the academic dean level are final.

1. Allegations of academic integrity violations may be adjudicated by an independent review only upon referral from an academic dean. The Faculty Controlled Process is preferred in nearly all matters, and only in extraordinary cases will the matter be forwarded for independent review.
2. Referral process.
   a. Once it has been determined the complaint will not be resolved via Sections A, B, or C the full complaint will be forwarded by the academic dean for either an Administrative Hearing or Hearing Board. The dean of students is responsible for processing all independent review hearings involving academic dishonesty.
   b. Once a possible violation has been referred for independent review, no grade should be assigned by the faculty member until after the decision of the independent process. A grade will then be assigned as per the decision of the hearing process. Faculty are required to submit a recommendation for sanction as part of the complaint. The hearing officer will consult with the faculty member and the appropriate academic dean prior to determining final sanction.
   
   

   URL: http://minerva.stkate.edu/academiccatalog0709.nsf/pages/academic_integrity
   This page was created on 04/26/2007 and last updated on 05/02/2007.
   Comments, questions and feedback about this site may be addressed to registrar@stkate.edu.