Academic Honesty

The university is committed to a high standard of academic honesty among its students. Dishonesty in any form (cheating on examinations or quizzes, plagiarism on papers and reports, and falsification of attendance on reading reports) is not acceptable. Penalties for academic dishonesty may include grade reduction or failure on the particular paper, test or assignment. Violations could also result in failure or dismissal from a class. Penalties are imposed at the discretion of the individual faculty member in cooperation with the appropriate dean. The faculty manifests its confidence in the integrity of the student and encourages the student to exercise good judgment in fulfilling this responsibility.

Faculty members who suspect any of their students of academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) should follow this policy:

  1. Use sound judgment in responding to the student and the specific situation. In that response, the faculty member should deal with the student as he/she sees fit in congruence with the institution's policy and within the guidelines of the course syllabus.
  2. Allow students with grievances regarding faculty action in such cases to avail themselves of a request for review process through the appropriate division chair in keeping with policies stated in the catalog. 
  3. If a faculty member/chair/dean deems that the student behavior warrants a broader and more comprehensive institutional response, that person (through the dean) may refer the student to the Student Development disciplinary system by contacting the Dean of Students. Such referral should happen as quickly as possible to provide the students with a timely, fair and reasonable process, as well as to avoid any perception of the referral as potential reprisal for student's use of the appeal/review process.
  4. If such a request is made, that individual should avoid making recommendations as to the appropriate response to the student's behavior, but instead state the reason(s) for referral and actions taken/pending up to that point.
  5. The Dean of Students (or designate) will initiate a disciplinary process to consider the accusations and an appropriate response. This process will be separate from any other process initiated/taking place in the academic arena. However, if the student is found responsible for the actions for which he/she was referred, the person/group who conducts the disciplinary meeting may consider the academic penalty when formulating a disciplinary response. 
  6. After a disciplinary response is communicated to the student, that student has the right to request a review of the decision in accordance with the procedures outlined in the