The
University Senate of Michigan Technological University
Proposal
1-10
(Voting
Units: Academic Units)
“Proposed
Revisions to the Academic Integrity Policy”
This proposal is
jointly submitted by the Office of Student Affairs and the Graduate
School. The Academic Integrity Policy is
a Senate policy so amendments must be approved by the Senate. We submit a redline version of the policy as
well as a final without markups for your information.
Basis
for the Proposal. In the last five years there has been a
substantial increase of reported academic integrity incidents. As a result, we have gained much experience
interpreting and applying the academic integrity policy in a variety of
situations. There have been ongoing discussions regarding Michigan Tech's
academic integrity policy and how it serves the needs of both the undergraduate
and graduate student populations. Some
issues have been identified that this revised policy is intended to address.
A primary goal
for a state university is to provide due process, which includes both
procedural fairness and consistency in disciplinary outcomes. We have no concerns about the procedural
fairness but there are concerns about maintaining consistency in disciplinary
outcomes.
The consistency
issues, we believe, are largely attributable to the sanctioning rules in the
current policy. The sanctions under the existing policy are warning, censure, [1]
grade reduction in the course by one letter grade, F*,
suspension and expulsion. Here are some
issues we have identified.
1.
Graduate
Students. Graduate students must obtain
a B or better in a course or retake the course.
A typical sanction in an academic integrity case is the “grade reduction
in the course by one letter grade.” So
unless a student is an A student in the class (which is not the usual case in
academic integrity incidents) this intermediate sanction will often require a
student to retake a course. The circumstances of the case may not warrant an
outcome that causes expense and schedule disruption to a student. (For example,
a student in a master’s program may not be able to retake the course for a full
year). Currently, the only option to
avoid too severe a sanction would be to give a “warning” to a graduate student. However, a warning is the least severe
sanction and should be reserved for very minor, negligent transgressions of
undergraduate students. So, giving a warning to a graduate student tends to
trivialize the seriousness of the incident and sends the wrong message.
2.
International
Students. The mandatory grading sanctions create some issues specific to
international students and their need to maintain good academic standing as
well as a certain number of credit hours for their immigration status. This applies to both graduate and
undergraduate students.
3.
Undergraduates.
There have been inconsistencies in the grading sanctions imposed by hearing
officers or the Academic Integrity Committee in undergraduate situations. The conduct in both cases may be the same
(e.g., plagiarizing an assignment). Under the proposal, a disciplinary sanction (e.g. warning, probation) can be imposed by a
hearing officer or the Academic Integrity Committee after the due-process
hearing, but the faculty member is free to impose whatever grade the faculty
member feels is appropriate. (NOTE: In order for the student’s due process rights
to be upheld, a hearing must first take place before faculty can lower a
grade.)
The proposed
sanctions in the revised policy are consistent with the sanctions in the
current Code of Community Conduct for non-academic integrity issues (warning,
probation, suspension, expulsion).
In all these
cases, the concern about inconsistent disciplinary sanctions imposed by a
hearing officer or Academic Integrity Committee could be avoided by imposing
the sanction of “probation” rather than having only the option of a grading
sanction.
The proposed
revisions do not completely abandon grading sanctions, however. This revised policy also retains the option
for the hearing officer/committee to assign an F grade, but this would be
connected to a primary sanction (warning, probation, suspension or
expulsion). This is in response to
situations we have seen where a student is suspended but then objects when a
faculty member also gives the student an F in the class. The revised policy
clarifies this procedure and also provides for non-binding grading
recommendations. Students could no longer make the claim that they are
receiving a “double sanction” because it would be expressly permitted under the
revised policy.
Under the
proposed revisions, a relatively serious first offense could result in a period
of probation and a grading recommendation to the instructor for both graduate
and undergraduate cases. This provides both consistency and flexibility so that
individual circumstances can be fairly and humanely addressed without creating the appearance of
inconsistency in the primary sanction.
We
are also recommending changing the word “dishonesty” to “misconduct” throughout
the policy for two reasons: first, this
is consistent with the “Misconduct in Research, Scholarly and Creative
Endeavors” policy that applies to scholarly works; and second, because some
violations are negligent rather than intentional, and hence the word
“dishonesty” is not appropriate.
The Office of
Student Affairs and the Graduate School seeks the review and approval of the
University Senate for these amendments. The contact persons listed below are
available to provide additional information at any time.
For the Office
of Student Affairs: Patricia Gotschalk,
pagotsch@mtu.edu
For the Graduate
School: Debra Charlesworth, ddc@mtu.edu
(Current
Policy and Proposed Revisions)
ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY POLICY (Proposed
Revisions in Yellow) 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 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 (Proposal 4-08). 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. . 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.
|
ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY POLICY (Current
Policy – Deletions in Blue) 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 honesty
is essential in a community of scholars searching and learning to search for
truth. Anything less than total commitment to honesty 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 dishonesty is made. This policy addresses academic dishonesty in course work.
Allegations of dishonesty
in research or publication are addressed under the Scientific Misconduct Policy. 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 members of the Academic Integrity
Committee appointed by the University Senate. I. Definition of Academic Dishonesty 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. 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 Dishonesty Knowingly or recklessly allowing or helping
another individual to plagiarize, cheat, or fabricate information. II. Sanctions Under the Academic Integrity
Policy. Academic Integrity Warning: An official written warning that
further violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will result in a more
severe sanction. Academic Integrity Censure: A more severe sanction
than a warning, which may be used when the person who violates the academic
integrity policy is not enrolled in the course where the violation occurs. Grade
Reduction in the Course. The course grade is lowered one whole
letter grade. Special Failing Grades of F*, E* and U* a. A student
receives a grade of F*. If the student has not completed an educational
assignment within the time specified in the disciplinary decision, an
asterisk is added to the F grade and the transcript reads "failure due
to academic dishonesty". 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. b. 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*. 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 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. Special 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.
|
(Unmarked
copy of Proposed Revised Policy)
ACADEMIC
INTEGRITY POLICY
Senate Policy
109.1
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 (Proposal 4-08).
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.
Tabled and returned to committee: 23 September 2009
Approved by Administration: 19 October 2009