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.
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, and also 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 members 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.
