When deciding how to deal with
a case of academic dishonesty, the first thing that you MUST do is speak
to the faculty member or instructor in charge of the course. Because the
faculty members are ultimately responsible for their courses, they need
to be brought in on the matter before any action is taken.
The university has two different
formal procedures for dealing with cases of academic dishonesty, depending
on whether or not the student admits the offense and how egregious it
is. The following step-by-step guide illustrates the basic steps for determining
which procedure is appropriate in your case and explains what happens
in each case. More comprehensive guides for both faculty and students
can be downloaded from the web page of the Office
of Student Life (link opens new window), along with all of
the relevant forms. Again, you MUST discuss these procedures with the
faculty member or instructor in charge before you decide to take any action.
Step 1
Collect the relevant documentation,
including the paper or exam in question and statements from GSIs/other
witnesses (especially in cases of cheating, theft etc.).
Meet with the student and
explain the problem. Be objective; try to convey both the seriousness
of the situation and concern for the students situation. Avoid using
provocative expressions such as 'cheating' and 'theft'.
Listen to the student's
explanation.
Decide whether or not the
student has committed the offense in question.
Decide whether or not the
offense, if committed, is egregious.
If the offense is not
egregious and the student admits the violation go to step
2 below.
If the offense is egregious
or the student denies the violation go to step 3
below.
Step 2
6. If the offense is not egregious
discuss possible penalties with the student. If you can agree on a suitable
penalty, apply the penalty and obtain a copy of the form 'Faculty Disposition
for Academic Honesty'.
The 'Faculty Disposition
for Academic Honesty' requires you to explain the offense and the penalty
applied. Both you and the student must sign it. The primary purpose
of the form is to discourage multiple offenses.
If the student has not committed
a similar offense in the past and does not commit such an offense in
the future, no further penalties will apply and the matter with not
be listed on the student's academic record.
7. If the student has committed
such an offense in the past or does so in the future, the matter will
be referred to an administrative review which may lead to further penalties.
8. GSIs are encouraged to fill out the "Faculty
Disposition for Academic Honesty" [rtf] even if the case seems
minor, as multiple offenses in different departments can only be detected
when each incident is reported.
Step 3
9. If the offense is egregious,
the student denies the offense, or you and the student cannot agree on
a suitable penalty, complete the form "Discipline
Referral for Academic Dishonesty" [rtf]. 10. The "Discipline
Referral for Academic Dishonesty" refers the case to the Office of
Student Conduct for adjudication. 11. The adjudication process has the
following stages:
A. The case is assigned to
a Conduct Officer who reviews the case with both the instructor and
the student. A formal notice is sent to the student.
i. If the Officer finds
that the evidence does not substantiate the charges, the case is dropped.
ii. If the Officer finds that the evidence does support the charges,
the Officer will attempt to reach a mutually acceptable solution with
the student, a record of which will be kept in the Office of Student
Conduct.
iii. If the Officer cannot reach an acceptable solution with the student,
the case will proceed to a formal hearing.
B. The formal hearing will
resolve any factual disputes and determine a suitable penalty, if any.
Both the faculty member and the student will be present. The student
has the option to be represented by counsel and may appeal the results
of the hearing to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Affairs.
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