Academic Integrity Code: Difference between revisions

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Policy ____ [''Number from Table of Contents'']
Policy 205
== Introduction ==
== Introduction ==
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== Scope ==
== Scope ==


== Definitions  ==
== Definitions  ==
=== Definition phrase or word ===
: Definition summary


== Policy and Procedure Statements  ==
== Policy and Procedure Statements  ==
 
=== The Academic Integrity Code ===
I. Introduction
:[https://academicintegrity.appstate.edu/ Academic Integrity]
II. The Academic Integrity Code
Students attending Appalachian State University agree to abide by the following Code:
• Students will not lie, cheat, or steal to gain academic advantage.
• Students will oppose every instance of academic dishonesty.
Students shall agree to abide by the Academic Integrity Code when submitting the admission
application.
III. The Honor Pledge
The Honor Pledge is a cornerstone of the Appalachian State University’s Academic Integrity
Code and serves as a reminder of the University’s commitment to academic integrity. No
Appalachian student shall unfairly further their own academic performance.
Students attending Appalachian State University pledge:
“I pledge on my honor that I have not violated the Appalachian State University Academic
Integrity Code.”
IV. Academic Integrity Code Violations
Violations of the Academic Integrity Code will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Faculty
should address incidents as possible Academic Integrity Code violations only when, in their
professional judgment, such violations were intentional on the part of the student. The following
is a list of violations of the Academic Integrity Code. This list is not exhaustive;
however, its terms are broad enough to encompass most potential Code violations.
• Lying. False academic information in any form, regardless of communication
method (e.g. including email or other electronic communication).
• Cheating. The use of fraud or deceit to gain an advantage in academic endeavors,
regardless of delivery methods (e.g. face-to-face, online, or via distance
education). Examples of cheating include but are not limited to fraud, deception,
impermissible communication of information, copying, falsifying data,
unauthorized use or possession of study aids, memoranda, books, data, or other
information, for the purpose of unfairly manipulating academic materials.
• Plagiarism. Presenting the words or ideas of another as one’s own work or ideas.
All directly quoted material must be properly cited. Plagiarism includes but is
not limited to borrowing, downloading, cutting and pasting, and paraphrasing
without acknowledgement, including from online sources, or allowing a person’s
academic work to be submitted as another’s work.
45
• Unauthorized Assistance. Giving or receiving assistance not specifi cally permitted
by an instructor. (Examples: see under cheating)
• Stealing of Academic Materials. The act of taking academic materials, without
an instructor’s or student’s consent, for the purpose of gaining an advantage
over other students. This includes but is not limited to stealing or attempted
stealing of notes, papers, books, library materials, tests, answer keys, computer
programs, or any electronic devices.
• Multiple Submission without an Instructor’s Consent. Submitting the same
work more than once without permission from all faculty involved.
• Assisting Code Violations. Helping another student violate the Code. Examples
of assisting code violations include but are not limited to allowing another student
to copy work, provide answers to questions appearing on assignments, quizzes,
or exams, unauthorized collaboration, and taking an exam for another student.
V. Roles of the University Community
A. Faculty
Faculty members are responsible for educating students about academic integrity by
placing a statement about the Academic Integrity Code on class syllabi. Further, faculty
members are encouraged to limit opportunities for dishonest behavior. Several strategies
for reducing Academic Integrity Code violations are listed below. Faculty members may:
• Lead discussions about academic integrity during class.
• Create multiple versions of quizzes and exams.
• Proctor quizzes and exams.
• Provide a space for students to reaffi rm the Academic Integrity Honor Pledge
(abbreviation: HP) on assignments, quizzes, and exams.
• Contact the Offi ce of Student Conduct in all appropriate cases of academic
dishonesty.
• Include a statement about the Code of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity
Code (with Offi ce of Student Conduct website address) on syllabi.
• Use current events to illustrate and discuss integrity issues.
B. Students
Students are responsible for completing their own work on assignments, quizzes, and
tests and for discouraging their peers from violating the Academic Integrity Code. When
instructed to do so by a faculty member, students are required to include the Academic
Integrity Honor Pledge (or an abbreviated form of it) on assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Further, students may:
• Report all incidents of academic dishonesty to the Offi ce of Student Conduct.
• Inform the appropriate persons when witnessing academic dishonesty.
• Participate in discussions about academic integrity.
• Challenge their peers to uphold academic honesty.
C. Administration
Appalachian State University’s administration provides support for the Academic Integrity
Code through the activities described in Section VI.
46
VI. Administration of the Code
A. Violations
Alleged Academic Integrity Code violations must be reported to the Offi ce of Student
Conduct if the faculty member proposes that a sanction, as defi ned in Section VIII, be
imposed on the student. The Director of Student Conduct or his or her designee will
explain all available options to the faculty member and student involved in the alleged
violation. Cases in which the faculty member proposes to take no action beyond requiring
the student to repeat the assignment may be resolved informally between the faculty
member and the student without being brought before the Offi ce of Student Conduct or
the Academic Integrity Board (AIB). In such cases, however, the faculty member must
utilize the form entitled “Proposed Requirement That You Repeat Assignment; Notifi cation
of Due Process Rights.” This requires the student to affi rm in writing that he/she is
aware of his/her option to refer the issue to Student Conduct but chooses the opportunity
to repeat the assignment instead. The faculty member should provide one copy of this
written statement to the student and retain the original in the faculty member’s fi les.
A student that has an alleged violation of the Academic Integrity Code is prohibited from
withdrawing from the course. Should a student withdraw from the class prior to the accusation
and/or resolution, the mark of "w" will be considered temporary pending the
fi nal resolution of the case. If a student is found responsible for an Academic Integrity
violation and receives a lower or failing grade in a course for violating the Academic
Integrity Code that course cannot be retroactively dropped.
1. Resolution by Consent Without Resort to Academic Integrity Code Formal
Processes
Academic Integrity Code violations may be resolved by consent between
the student and the faculty member without resort to the formal processes
of the Academic Integrity Code, pursuant to this Section VI.A.1., or such
violations must be reported to the Offi ce of Student Conduct as provided
in Section VI.A.2, below. If the faculty member proposes to resolve the
violation by consent by imposing one of the sanctions specifi ed in Section
VIII.A., the faculty member must do so utilizing the form entitled
“Notifi cation of Proposed Imposition of Sanction for Academic Integrity
Violation; Notifi cation of Due Process Rights (Notifi cation).” A faculty
member may not impose sanctions to resolve a violation by consent pursuant
to this Section VI.A.1 without utilizing the Notifi cation form. If the
student decides to resolve the violation pursuant to this Section VI.A.1,
the student must sign the form, and the faculty member must make a
copy of the form for the student and retain the original for at least fi ve
years. A copy is also to be transmitted to the Offi ce of Student Conduct
and kept on fi le there for at least fi ve years.
2. Reporting Violations
Academic Integrity Code violations not resolved by consent pursuant to
this Section VI.A.1., must be reported to the Offi ce of Student Conduct if
the faculty member proposes that one or more sanctions (as described in
Section VIII) be imposed. The Director of Student Conduct will explain
all available options to the faculty member and student involved in the
alleged violation.
47
B. Review Offi cer
The Director of Student Conduct serves as the review offi cer or, as may be necessary,
appoints a member of the AIB to act in this capacity. An AIB member serving as a review
offi cer in a given case may not vote in a hearing on it. The responsibilities of the
review offi cer include:
• Investigating all reported incidents of academic dishonesty.
• Advising the parties involved in hearings.
• Handling all outside correspondence.
• Conducting and reporting on all faculty/student resolution processes.
• Preparing written statements for the hearing process.
• Forwarding all appeals to the Provost or his or her designee for a decision.
C. Faculty/Student Resolution Process
All fi rst time offenses may be handled in the faculty/student resolution process. Written
notice of the resolution process must be mailed to the faculty member and the student
involved at least seven (7) business days in advance of a resolution process meeting.
The review offi cer facilitates and records the meeting’s outcome. The faculty member
and the accused student must agree upon one of the sanctions to decide the case in this
phase or determine that there was not an intentional violation of the Academic Integrity
Code. If agreement is reached, the faculty member, student, and hearing offi cer sign a
standard form stating the terms of the resolution. A copy of the resolution form is retained
in the Offi ce of Student Conduct until the student leaves the University. If the faculty
member and student do not agree upon a resolution, the case is referred to the AIB for a
hearing. All decisions agreed to in the resolution phase are fi nal and cannot be appealed.
Either the faculty member or student may waive their right to the resolution process. If a
faculty member or student does not wish to participate in the resolution process, the case
is referred to the AIB for a hearing. Faculty members may re-enter the process during
the hearing as a complainant or witness.
D. Hearings
Proceedings under the Academic Integrity Code shall be consistent with the provisions
of the AIB by-laws. First offenses may be resolved between the student and the faculty
member; a record is then maintained in the Offi ce of Student Conduct. All second offenses
are decided through an AIB hearing. The Chairperson of the AIB presides over
the hearing. Seven AIB members constitute a quorum. The AIB’s fi nal decision is made
by a majority vote. The rules governing AIB hearings include:
• Notifi cation of the hearing date and the specifi c charges of academic dishonesty,
including an outline of the information to be introduced, are mailed to the accused
student at least fi ve (5) academic days, including fi nal examination days,
in advance.
• The burden of proof is on the faculty member and/or student bringing forth
the charges. The Offi ce of Student Conduct provides administrative support
for faculty and students bringing forth charges of academic dishonesty. The
Offi ce of Student Conduct also provides information about the process for the
accused student.
• Formal rules of evidence are not applicable. The AIB Chairperson must give
attention to the rules of confi dentiality and privilege.
• Students and faculty are allowed one (1) advisor. Advisors may speak to the
student or faculty member, but may not speak for the student or faculty member.
48
• The accused student and the Academic Integrity Board are permitted to question
the complainant and all witnesses.
• AIB hearings and deliberations are closed to the public.
• All hearings are recorded and may be transcribed when necessary. Recordings
of hearings remain the exclusive property of the University. Students must
review recordings in the presence of Student Conduct personnel.
• Witnesses are excluded from the hearing during the testimony of other witnesses.
All witnesses are excluded from AIB deliberations.
• The AIB fi nds in-violation or not in-violation of the Academic Integrity Code
on the basis of the preponderance of evidence.
• If the AIB fi nds the student in-violation, the Offi ce of Student Conduct retains
a record of the fi nding and sanction for a minimum of fi ve (5) years.
VII. Academic Integrity Board (AIB)
A. Composition
Appalachian State University’s Academic Integrity Board consists of twelve (12) members.
Six (6) faculty members and six (6) students are appointed to the Board. Faculty AIB
members are nominated by the Committee on Committees of the Faculty Senate from a
list of volunteers willing to serve, and approved by a vote of the Faculty Senate. Faculty
members serve three-year staggered terms and may be nominated for consecutive terms.
Student AIB members are selected by the Conduct Personnel Committee (see Section 3.06
of the Code of Student Conduct). Student AIB members serve two-year staggered terms.
B. Committees
The AIB contains two (2) standing committees: (1) the faculty committee and (2) the
student committee.
1. Faculty Committee
The Faculty Committee is composed of the AIB’s six (6) faculty members and
one (1) student member. This committee is charged with:
• Providing their peers with guidelines for promoting and enforcing academic
integrity.
• Educating faculty about academic integrity issues.
• Conducting academic integrity workshops for faculty.
• Observing faculty reactions to the operation of the Code and to the academic
environment of Appalachian State University.
2. Student Committee
The Student Committee is composed of the AIB’s six (6) student members and
one (1) faculty member. The committee shall:
• Promote academic integrity among their peers through a series of seminars,
workshops, and classes.
• Educate students about the seriousness of academic integrity.
• Observe student reactions toward the operation of the Code and Appalachian
State University’s academic environment.
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C. Academic Integrity Board Chairperson
AIB members select a Chair and Vice Chair yearly in the Spring semester. The Chair
may vote only in the case of a tie. A student Chair must be a junior or senior and have a
minimum GPA of 2.5 at the time of election. The Chair’s duties include:
• Presiding over all meetings and hearings of the full AIB.
• Acting as spokesperson for the AIB.
• Working closely with the Offi ce of Student Conduct throughout the Code’s
operation.
In the event of the Chair’s absence or inability to perform these duties, the Vice Chair
assumes the above duties.
VIII. Sanctions
Under the Academic Integrity Code, there are three (3) times when sanctions may be imposed:
(1) by consent of the student pursuant to Section VI.A.1.; (2) during the faculty/student
resolution process; and (3) during an AIB hearing’s sanction phase.
A. Faculty/Student Resolution Process Sanctions
All offenses may be discussed between the faculty member and the accused student,
unless the faculty member or student waives the right to the resolution process. Every
violation presents faculty members the opportunity to educate students about academic
integrity. The faculty member and the student may agree upon one (1) or more of the
following sanctions:
• A reduced grade on the assignment.
• A reduced grade for the course.
• A grade of F on the assignment.
• A grade of F for the course.
• Faculty members may require a student found in-violation of the Academic
Integrity Code to attend a workshop on academic integrity.
Members of the AIB conduct all workshops. The AIB reserves the right to impose another
sanction on students who do not attend the mandatory workshop.
B. Academic Integrity Board (AIB) Hearing Sanctions
First time offenses are referred to the Offi ce of Student Conduct and all second offenses
are subject to an AIB hearing. The AIB may recommend one (1) or more of the following
sanctions when a student is found in-violation:
• Referring the decision about sanction to the faculty member limited to the
resolution process listed in VIII.A.
• Probation.
• Disciplinary suspension.
• Expulsion.
• Special programs.
Students found in-violation of the Academic Integrity Code must attend a workshop on
academic integrity (refer to VIII.A.).
The AIB considers all relevant factors when recommending sanctions: e.g., seriousness,
previous student record.
50
IX. Appeals
Students found in violation of the Academic Integrity Code may submit a written appeal to
the Provost or his or her designee within fi ve (5) business days after notifi cation of their having
been so found. Grounds for an appeal include signifi cant new evidence and procedural
error. The Provost or his or her designee reserves the right to accept or reject any appeal.
X. Amendments to Academic Integrity Code and Academic Integrity Board By-Laws
Proposed amendments to the Academic Integrity Code and AIB By-Laws are recommendations
to the Chancellor. The Academic Integrity Board may make recommendations for
such changes to the Chancellor.
Resolution forms can be downloaded from www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.


== Additional References ==
== Additional References ==
:[http://studentconduct.appstate.edu Code of Student Conduct]


== Authority ==
== Authority ==
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== Effective Date ==
== Original Effective Date ==
:Adopted May 21, 2001


== Revision Dates ==
== Revision Dates ==
:For revision history, contact the Office of Student Conduct.
[[Category:Contents]]
[[Category:Academic Affairs]]

Latest revision as of 12:23, 1 August 2018

Policy 205

Introduction

Scope

Definitions

Policy and Procedure Statements

The Academic Integrity Code

Academic Integrity

Additional References

Code of Student Conduct

Authority

Contact Information

Original Effective Date

Adopted May 21, 2001

Revision Dates

For revision history, contact the Office of Student Conduct.