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Process for resolving allegations of
Academic Integrity Code violations

Before a violation

  • Include a statement on the syllabus about the AIC; specify potential consequences for violations
  • Clarify expectations for AIC compliance on individual assignments
  • Frequently remind students during the semester about AIC expectations, particularly at key points of the semester
  • Remind students that the AIC prohibits all of the following: cheating during exams; plagiarism; collusion; furnishing false information in conjunction with any academic course; helping or hindering the academic work of others; falsification or invention
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When a violation is suspected

  • Consult with Dean of Academic Life (DoAL). Student does not need to be named; a consultation is not a report.
  • Discuss violation with student to establish facts. Evidence of a discussion (or a concerted attempt to discuss) the violation with the student is essential. A violation report cannot be filed with the DoAL without having completed this step.
  • If student does not respond to attempts to make contact in a timely manner, contact the DoAL.
  • After communicating with the student, determine penalty, consistent with syllabus statement.
  • Notify the student of the penalty.
  • Formally report the violation and subsequent communication with the student to the DoAL. Violations must be reported in writing. The DoAL can provide a sample letter.
  • After reporting, the subsequent steps of the process are managed by the DoAL.

Possible penalities

  • >Resubmission of the assignment (does not re-quire formal report)
  • >Point or percentage penalty (e.g. 10%, 50%)
  • >F on the assignment
  • >Zero on the assignment
  • >Failure in the course

Violations resulting in a penalty greater than resubmission of the assignment must be reported to the DoAL within 5 days of imposing the penalty. Reported violations must follow a discussion with the student to establish facts of the case.

Upon receiving a report the DoAL will:

  • Send a letter to the student outlining the accusation, penalty, and options for appeal.
  • Meet with the student to discuss academic integrity, the specific situation, and the student’s options as outlined in the AIC. Options differ depending on whether it is a first or second (or subsequent) violation.

Is this a first violation?

YES

NO

a) The student may accept responsibility and accept the sanction. In this case, the faculty member’s original sanction stands and there is no further process. The letter of report remains in the student’s file in the Dean’s office.

b) The student may contest the accusation or the sanction. In this case, there will be an AJB hearing (see below)

An AJB hearing(see below) is mandated for a second (or subsequent) violation, even if the student accepts responsibility and accepts the faculty-imposed sanction.

It is crucial to report all violations; otherwise, every violation is equivalent to a first violation.

Academic Judicial Board (AJB) Hearing

The student may plead guilty, in which case the AJB Hearing provides context for the penalty.

If a student pleads not-guilty, then AJB will arrive at a guilty or not guilty verdict after considering the facts of the case.

AJB may uphold the professor’s original sanction or choose a more consequential sanction, including :

  • F on the assignment —> Zero on the assignment —> Failure in the course —> Grade of VF in the course (indicates on transcript that failure is due to integrity violation)—> Suspension for 1, 2, or 3 semesters —> Expulsion

 

After the Hearing, AJB promptly makes a recommendation to the DoAL

The DoAL notifies the student of the outcome of the Hearing and the sanction

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