ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Honor Code

On all course work, assignments, or examinations undertaken by students at the College, the following pledge is implied by virtue of admission: On my honor as a student, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment. Violations of the academic integrity policy are purposefully divided into two distinct categories: (1) Basic violations (which result in academic sanctions) and (2) Capital violations (which result in academic sanctions and/or disciplinary action). Basic violations of academic integrity shall include, but are not limited to:

• Consultation of textbooks, library materials, or notes in examination, or electronic sources where such materials are not to be used during the test;
• Use of “crib sheets” or other hidden notes in such an examination;
• Looking at another student’s test paper to copy strategies or answers or allowing another to do so;
• Possessing a confederate contraband supply of questions or answers for any assignment or examination;
• Having a person other than the one duly registered and taking the course stand in at an examination or any other graded activity;
• Deliberate falsification of any graded activity;
• Collaboration with others except where such collaboration is permitted or encouraged;
• Submission of previously-graded work for a new assignment (without instructor’s prior consent);
• Use (either in part or whole) of documents obtained from internet sources designed to encourage dishonesty and which are not the immediate result of the student’s own academic effort;
• Continuing work on an examination or assignment after the allocated time has elapsed; /or
• Plagiarism (in any form) defined as taking of another person’s intellectual work and using it as one’s own; and/or
• Use of any unauthorized electronic device.
• Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools or applications in the completion of any graded activity, except where such use is expressly permitted by the instructor and consistent with the College’s Generative Artificial Intelligence Administrative Regulation.

A primary responsibility of higher education is to provide students with the opportunity for inquiry and the freedom to discuss and express their views openly and freely without fear of retaliation or abuse of person or property. Students have an obligation to act in a fair and reasonable manner toward their peers, faculty, staff, administration, and physical property of the College. Violations of college regulations that have been adopted to protect the college community will be subject to academic sanction and/or disciplinary action. This may include, but is not limited to, violations of regulations governing plagiarism, cheating, examination impersonation, submitting a substantially similar paper or project for credit in two (or more) courses unless expressly authorized to do so by your faculty member(s), academic fraud and acts of personal behavior such as sexual harassment, vandalism and substance abuse. The College’s policies and processes provide guidance to the individuals charged with administering disciplinary action or academic sanction while outlining the protection to be afforded to students through their right of appeal. Disciplinary authorities are encouraged, whenever possible and appropriate, to settle findings of violation by informal resolution.

The purpose of this information is to

• Help if you have been accused of academic dishonesty; or
• Help you understand academic integrity better so you can avoid unintentional acts of academic dishonesty.

It is the responsibility of the student to know and follow the rules.

What to do if you are accused of cheating or plagiarism:

1. Answer questions honestly. The instructor (or designated instructional leader) has an obligation to investigate and to try to determine the truth. Lying or fabricating evidence may lead to a more severe sanction or disciplinary action.
2. Remember, there is an appeal process available to you. Regardless of the circumstances, you must be allowed an opportunity to “tell your side of the story.” Remember that allegations of cheating must be substantiated by some kind of evidence (having seen the act, having physical proof, or having receipt of a report from another student).
3. Consider the evidence against you. Contrary to popular belief, evidence does not have to be conclusive. The burden of proof is based on the “balance of probabilities;” that is, if a reasonable person can say: “Based on this evidence, cheating probably took place.”
4. If you encounter an instructor who, in your opinion, is handling a cheating accusation unprofessionally, you may want to seek advice from someone else (another faculty member, a department chair or division director, or administrator) who may help you.
5. Keep in mind that the College is obligated to handle incidents that may result in sanction or disciplinary action with the strictest confidence and so should you. Therefore, discuss these sensitive matters only with those in whom you can place the most trust.

Summary: This document defines the principles of academic integrity as detailed in the values statement below. It contains, by reference, the expectations, rights and responsibilities, sanctions, and related processes essential to maintain the standards of academic integrity within the College.

Purposes: Upon the recommendation of the faculty, the College adopts the following values statement, “Academic Integrity is a commitment to fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action.” Specifically, these values are defined as follows:

• An academic community of integrity advances the quest for truth and knowledge by requiring intellectual and personal honesty in learning, teaching, research, and service.
• An academic community of integrity fosters a climate of mutual trust, encourages the free exchange of ideas, and enables all to reach their highest potential.
• An academic community of integrity establishes clear standards, practices, and procedures and expects fairness in the interaction of students, faculty, and administrators.
• An academic community of integrity recognizes the participatory nature of the learning process and honors and respects a wide range of opinions and ideas.
• An academic community of integrity upholds personal responsibility and depends upon action in the face of wrongdoing.

Academic Integrity and Student Discipline Process FMA(LOCAL) Alignment

Committee members may ask questions of witnesses testifying on behalf of the student or the College District. Each side may summarize and argue its case, including rebuttal argument.

The committee shall deliberate in closed session and vote on whether the student violated College District policies and procedures.

If the committee finds misconduct occurred, it shall determine whether the penalty assessed (or proposed in suspension cases) is appropriate and may assess a different or additional penalty.

The chairperson shall communicate the decision and findings of fact in writing to all parties within ten (10) College District business days of the hearing, including procedures for appealing to the College President.

Record of Hearing and Evidence Standard

All hearings shall be recorded by the College District. A stenographic digest shall be made if needed for an appeal and, on request, the student shall be given a copy of the digest.

Legal rules of evidence do not apply. The chairperson may admit or exclude evidence considered irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious.

The College District must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the charges are true. A student may not be compelled to testify.

The committee shall determine whether a violation occurred and assess an appropriate penalty based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing.

Appeal to College District Administration (College President)

A student may, within ten (10) College District business days of receiving notice of the Disciplinary Appeals Committee’s decision, petition in writing the College President to review the decision. The petition must state with particularity why the decision is believed to be incorrect.

The College President shall hold a conference within ten (10) College District business days after the appeal notice is filed. The conference shall be audio recorded.

The College President shall provide the student a written response stating the basis of the decision within ten (10) College District business days following the conference.

The College President may affirm, modify, remand, or reverse the decision. The College President’s decision is final.

Faculty Responsibilities 

Faculty members retain the right to address those instances of academic dishonesty which they may deem to be less serious using their own professional discretion as may be appropriate; however, the adjudication of either basic or capital violations must be guided by the parameters of this policy following all stated processes when deliberating and recommending academic sanctions and/or disciplinary action.

Violations of the policy which are not resolved informally shall be reported to the department chair and, upon resolution or recommendation of academic sanction or disciplinary action, results shall be briefly documented and reported to the Provost/Vice President, Academic Affairs and Student Services through the appropriate Division Director. Notification, as described herein, shall not be construed to indicate that faculty members are in any way restrained from applying the academic sanction they deem appropriate.

Faculty Rights 

As an academic matter, faculty members retain all rights of grade assignment and related academic sanctions. Course grades assigned (including the “XF”) may not be altered without the consent of the originating faculty member.