Any involvement with cheating, the fabrication or invention of information used in an academic exercise, plagiarism, facilitating academic dishonesty, or denying others access to information or material may result in disciplinary action being taken at either the college or university level. Breaches of academic integrity can result in serious consequences ranging from reprimand to expulsion.
Violations of academic integrity are classified into four categories based on the level of seriousness of the behaviors. Brief descriptions are provided below. This is a general description and is not to be considered as all-inclusive.
Level One Violations
These violations may occur because of ignorance or inexperience on the part of the person(s) committing the violation and ordinarily involve a very minor portion of the course work. These violations are considered on academic merit and not as disciplinary offenses.
Examples: Improper footnoting or unauthorized assistance on academic work.
Recommended Sanctions: Makeup assignment.
Level Two Violations
Level two violations involve incidents of a more serious nature and affect a more significant aspect or portion of the course.
Examples: Quoting directly or paraphrasing without proper acknowledgment on a moderate portion of the assignment; failure to acknowledge all sources of information and contributors who helped with an assignment.
Recommended Sanctions: Probation, a failing grade on the assignment, or a failing grade in the course.
Level Three Violations
Level three offenses involve dishonesty on a significant portion of course work, such as a major paper, an hourly, or a final examination. Violations that are premeditated or involve repeat offenses of level one or level two are considered level three violations.
Examples: Copying from or giving others assistance on an hourly or final examination, plagiarizing major portions of an assignment, using forbidden material on an hourly or final examination, using a purchased term paper, presenting the work of another as one`s own, altering a graded examination for the purposes of regrading.
Recommended Sanctions: Suspension from the university for one or more terms, with a notation of "academic disciplinary suspension" placed on a student`s transcript for the period of suspension, and a failing grade in the course.
Level Four Violations
Level four violations are the most serious breaches of academic integrity. They include repeat offenses of level three violations.
Examples: Forgery of grade change forms; theft of examinations; having a substitute take an examination; dishonesty relating to senior thesis, master`s thesis, or doctoral dissertation; sabotaging another`s work; the violation of the ethical code of a profession; or all infractions committed after return from suspension for a previous violation.
Recommended Sanctions: Expulsion from the university and a permanent notation on the student`s transcript.
Faculty who believe that violations have occurred should immediately contact the Office of the Dean. Students who suspect that other students are involved in actions of academic dishonesty should speak to the instructor of the course. Questions on reporting procedures may be directed to the Office of the Dean.
