The University Senate of Michigan Technological University

 

                                                                                         

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY

(Proposal 28-04)
(Proposal 26-05)
(Proposal 8-06)
(Proposal 1-10)

Senate Policy 109.1
Coordinating Procedures 109.1.1

 

 

Academic integrity and honesty are central components of a student's education, and the ethical conduct maintained in an academic context will be taken eventually into a student's professional career. Academic integrity is essential in a community of scholars searching and learning to search for truth. Anything less than total commitment to integrity undermines the efforts of the entire academic community. Both students and faculty are responsible for insuring the academic integrity of the university.

This policy applies to the academic conduct of all persons at Michigan Technological University who have ever matriculated at the University, whether or not the person is enrolled at the time an allegation of academic misconduct is made. 

This policy addresses academic misconduct in course work. Allegations of misconduct in research or publication are addressed under Misconduct in Research, Scholarly and Creative Endeavors Policy (Policy 204.1).  

Procedures to ensure fairness and due process for all parties involved in any apparent violation of the Academic Integrity Policy will be developed, and periodically reviewed, by the Dean of Students Office in consultation with the Dean of the Graduate School and members of the Academic Integrity Committee appointed by the University Senate.

 I.  Definition of Academic Misconduct.

 Plagiarism: Knowingly copying another's work or ideas and calling them one's own or not giving proper credit or citation. This includes but is not limited to reading or hearing another's work or ideas and using them as one's own; quoting, paraphrasing, or condensing another's work without giving proper credit; purchasing or receiving another's work and using, handling, or submitting it as one's own work.

 Cheating: Intentional, unauthorized use of any study aids, equipment, or another's work during an academic exercise. This includes but is not limited to unauthorized use of notes, study aids, electronic or other equipment during an examination; copying or looking at another individual's examination; taking or passing information to another individual during an examination; taking an examination for another individual; allowing another individual to take one's examination; stealing examinations. Cheating also includes unauthorized collaboration.  All graded academic exercises are expected to be performed on an individual basis unless otherwise stated by the instructor. An academic exercise may not be submitted by a student for course credit in more than one course without the permission of all instructors. 

Fabrication: Intentional and/or unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation during an academic exercise. This includes but is not limited to changing or adding an answer on an examination and resubmitting it to change the grade; inventing data for a laboratory exercise or report.

Facilitating Academic Misconduct:   Knowingly or recklessly allowing or helping another individual to plagiarize, cheat, or fabricate information.

II. Sanctions under the Academic Integrity Policy.  These sanctions are listed in increasing order of severity. 

Academic Integrity Warning: An official written warning that a student has inadvertently violated the academic integrity policy.

Disciplinary Probation. A written reprimand for violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.  .
Probation is for a designated period of time not to exceed 18 months and includes the probability of more severe disciplinary sanctions if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period.  

Suspension: A sanction of Suspension terminates the person's status as an enrolled student for an indefinite period of time and prohibits the student from attending classes. Reinstatement and conditions for reinstatement, if any, shall depend upon an evaluation by the Dean of Students or Dean of the Graduate School following an application for reinstatement by the student. 

Expulsion: A sanction of Expulsion terminates the person's status as an enrolled student with no opportunity for reinstatement. Expulsion which results from a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is listed as such on the student's academic transcript.

Grading Sanctions:  In addition to the sanctions described above, the decision maker (Academic Integrity Committee or hearing officer) may also assign a grading sanction of “F*”, “E*” or “U*” in the course as a disciplinary measure.  In such cases, the faculty member responsible for teaching the course will submit an F, E or U in the course for the student and the decision maker will require the student to complete an educational assignment on ethics and integrity. F*.  If the student has not completed an educational assignment within the time specified in the disciplinary decision, the decision maker will instruct the Registrar’s Office to add an “*” to the F grade and the transcript reads "failure due to academic misconduct”.   Students with an F* remaining on their transcripts may not serve as an officer of any recognized student organization, nor represent the university in events external to the university, including varsity sports, student contests and competitions, and similar events.E* and U*.  A student receives a grade of E* for pass/fail courses or U* for audited courses.  These grades will be administered in the same manner as a grade of F*. If a grading sanction of “F*”, “E*” or “U*” is not assigned, the decision maker may make other recommendations to the instructor regarding grading including lowering the grade by one whole letter, but such recommendations are not required to be adopted by the instructor.  Grades may also be lowered at the discretion of the instructor in any case where the decision maker finds a violation of academic integrity.

Educational Conditions: All students receiving sanctions ranging from Academic Integrity Warning to Suspension will also be required to complete an educational assignment on ethics and integrity assigned in the disciplinary decision letter.

 

[1] “Censure” is used only in unusual cases where a student not enrolled in a course facilitates the academic dishonesty of a student enrolled in a course.  Since a grading sanction doesn’t apply to the non-enrolled student, without the “censure” option the only sanctions would be either a warning or suspension.  Under the proposed revisions, “censure” would no longer be required as the non-enrolled student could receive a probation status.

Proposal 28-04:
Adopted by Senate: 7 April 2004
Approved by President: 22 April 2004

Proposal 26-05:
20 April 2005: Adopted by the Senate

Proposal 8-06:
Introduced in Senate: 18 January 2006
Revised: 1 February 2006 and 15 February 2006
Adopted by the Senate: 15 February 2006
Approved by Administration: 6 April 2006

Proposal 1-10:
Introduced to Senate: 09 September 2009
Tabled and returned to committee: 23 September 2009
Approved by Senate: 07 October 2009
Approved by Administration: 19 October 2009