Faculty Handbook

Appendix A. Academic Integrity and Honesty Procedures

III. Practice

  1. In their classes, faculty are expected to:
  1. announce and discuss specific problems of academic dishonesty that pertain particularly to their classes (e.g. acceptable and unacceptable cooperation on projects or homework);
  2. act reasonably to prevent academic dishonesty in preparing and administering academic exercises, including examinations, laboratory activities, homework and other assignments, etc.;
  3. act to prevent cheating from continuing when it has been observed or reported to them by students, chairs, or deans; and,
  4. report in writing all acts of academic dishonesty to the Dean of Student Affairs office (see Procedures below).
  5. clearly define for students the expected level of collaboration for individual work.
  1. In their academic work, students are expected to:
  1. maintain personal academic integrity;
  2. treat all graded academic exercises as work to be conducted privately, unless otherwise instructed;
  3. ask faculty to clarify any aspects of permissible or expected cooperation on any assignment; and,
  4. report any cheating activity (see Procedures below).

IV. Procedures

  1. Handling & Reporting Incidents of Academic Dishonesty
  1. Faculty Guidelines: The following procedural guidelines are suggested for handling incidents in which a student in a classroom is observed cheating on an examination or similar exercise. If followed, the effectiveness of the report will be maximized. Similar information should be obtained for incidents of cheating in other circumstances.
  1. Make a note of the time of the initial observation of the misconduct.
  2. If possible, have a colleague (proctor, etc.) verify the behavior by observation.
  3. Tell the student that you are aware of the situation, and request that the behavior stop.
  4. Allow the student to continue with the exam, unless the behavior is creating a serious disturbance.
  5. Continue to monitor the student's behavior.
  6. Immediately file a report with the Office of Student Affairs (see below).
  1. Student Guidelines

Students should report any cheating activity to make faculty aware of the problem. Reporting may be done directly to the instructor or department chair either in person or by an anonymous note. The instructor is then responsible for investigating the report, for filing a report if the incident can be confirmed, and for preventing further cheating.

A student may make a report directly to the Dean of Student Affairs on any cheating activity of which the student has personal and not hearsay knowledge. The Dean must forward the report to the department chair and instructor. The instructor is then responsible for investigating the report, for filing a report if the incident can be confirmed, and for preventing further cheating.

A student may also file a report directly with the Dean of Student Affairs, requesting that the Dean pursue formal procedures for violations of the Academic Integrity Policy. In this case, the student filing the report must be willing to appear and testify in person at any hearings that may result.

  1. Reports of Academic Dishonesty

The Office of Student Affairs shall act as the central location where all records of incidents of academic dishonesty are kept on file.

A report of any violations of this policy should include the following information:

  1. what happened
  2. when it happened and for how long
  3. where it occurred (classroom, lab, etc.)
  4. the names of students who were involved
  5. other faculty who also observed the activities
  6. what action has been taken
  7. what sanctions are recommended
  1. Notification of Complaint

When a report of a violation of academic integrity is received, the Office of Student Affairs shall expeditiously send the student(s) a written notice with a specification of charges attached. The specification of charges shall contain a numbered series of allegations which either individually or collectively constitutes one or more violations of the Academic Integrity Policy.

The written notice will also inform the student of the time and place of an Initial Conference with the Dean of Student Affairs or an Associate Dean of Student Affairs for the purpose of reviewing the specification of charges. The conference shall take place within ten (10) working days from the time of notification. A copy of the notification will be sent to the complainant.

  1. Initial Conference

If the student refuses to appear at the Initial Conference, all charges shall be considered true and accurate, and appropriate sanctions shall be imposed by the Office of Student Affairs.

At the Initial Conference, the student will be informed of the right to an Administrative Hearing or to a hearing by the Academic Integrity Committee. The student may elect one of the following courses of action:

  1. To sign a statement accepting responsibility for violating the Academic Integrity Policy, and requesting adjudication by the Office of Student Affairs. The student may request that sanctions be determined by the Administrative Hearing Officer, or recommended by the Academic Integrity Committee. In either case, the student may request that the determination and imposition of sanctions be postponed for up to 48 hours to allow the student to produce relevant witnesses or evidence.
  2. To deny the alleged violation(s), in which case the student shall request one of the following:
  1. An immediate Administrative Hearing, to be carried out by the individual conducting the Initial Conference, who may, in appropriate cases, postpone a hearing up to 48 hours in order to allow the accused student to prepare a defense.
  2. A hearing by the Academic Integrity Committee. If, however, the Academic Integrity Committee cannot be convened immediately, the Dean or Associate Dean will propose an immediate Administrative Hearing. The student may opt to wait until the Academic Integrity Committee can convene. In either case, the Dean of Student Affairs may grant additional time to the accused student to prepare a defense.
  1. Hearings

At the Initial Conference, a student who denies violating the Academic Integrity Policy shall request either an Administrative Hearing or a hearing before members of the Academic Integrity Committee.

  1. Administrative Hearings

Administrative hearings are conducted by the Dean of Student Affairs or by an Associate Dean of Student Affairs or by a faculty/staff member designated by the Dean of Student Affairs or the Dean of the Graduate School, who will review the charge against the accused student and the evidence presented in support of the charge. The accused student has the right to ask questions relevant to the complaint, and to any other questions of due process.

Administrative hearings are not open to the public.

  1. Hearings by the Academic Integrity Committee
  1. The Academic Integrity Committee

The Academic Integrity Committee is composed of six faculty members serving staggered three year terms, five full-time undergraduate students, five graduate students, and two student affairs professionals. The faculty members will be chosen from the faculty at-large by the University Senate. The five undergraduates shall be chosen from the undergraduate student body by the Undergraduate Student Government. The five graduate students shall be chosen from the graduate student body by the Graduate Student Council. The two student affairs professionals will be chosen by the Dean of Student Affairs.

One student, one faculty member, and one student affairs professional shall constitute a hearing panel. Panels convening to hear cases involving an undergraduate student shall include an undergraduate student. Panels convening to hear cases involving a graduate student shall include a graduate student. Panel membership will rotate on a system determined by the members of the committee.

  1. Hearing Procedures

The Academic Integrity Committee will convene a hearing panel no later than seven business days after a student requests a Committee hearing at the Initial Conference pending availability of accused, complainants, and/or panelists. If necessary participants are unavailable because of University calendar breaks, hearings will occur at the earliest possible date that all are available.

During the hearing, the panel's role shall include directing the hearing, calling recesses, postponing hearings, taking appropriate steps to maintain order, deciding questions on the relevancy of evidence or testimony, recalling witnesses or calling further witnesses as deemed appropriate in the resolution of matters pertaining to the hearing, and ensuring that established procedures are followed.

The order of hearings conducted by panels of the Academic Integrity Committee:

  1. Meeting will be called to order by the chair of the hearing panel.
  2. Hearings will be closed to the public.
  3. Any person, including the accused student, who disrupts a hearing or fails to adhere to the rulings of the chair may be excluded from the proceedings.
  4. Hearing panel members, the accused student, and the complainant shall be introduced.
  5. The hearing shall be tape recorded or transcribed.
  6. The chair of the hearing panel will read the charges.
  7. The hearing panel will determine if the accused student received a copy of the Notification of Disciplinary Charges and whether or not the charges are understood.
  8. The hearing panel will ask the student to confirm whether they are/are not responsible for violating this University regulation.
  9. The complainant shall present, in detail, the alleged events leading to the complaint.
  1. Members of the hearing panel may ask further questions and/or seek clarification by directing questions to the complainant.
  2. The accused student may ask questions and/or seek clarification on any element of the complainant's statements, but may not make any statements at this time.
  1. The complainant may present witness(es), who may offer testimony relevant to the complaint.
  1. Members of the hearing panel may ask further questions and/or seek clarification by directing questions to the complainant's witness(es).
  2. The accused student may ask questions and/or seek clarification on any element of the statements by the complainant's witness(es), but may not make any statements at this time.
  1. Complainant may present any other physical or written evidence which is supportive of the complaint.
  2. The accused student shall present, in detail, the alleged facts or matters pertaining to the circumstances of the complaint.
  1. Members of the hearing panel may ask further questions and/or seek clarification by directing questions to the accused student.
  2. The complainant may ask questions and/or seek clarification on any element of the accused student's statements, but may not make any statements at this time.
  1. The accused student shall present his/her witness(es), who may offer testimony relevant to the circumstances stated by the accused student.
  1. Members of the hearing panel may ask further questions and/or seek clarification by directing questions to the accused student's witness(es).
  2. The complainant may ask questions and/or seek clarification on any element of the statements by the accused student's witness(es), but may not make any statements at this time.
  1. The accused student may present any other physical or written evidence which is supportive of the accused student's opening remarks to the hearing panel.
  2. The accused student and the complainant may each make summary statements to the hearing panel. There will be no rebuttal.
  3. Adjournment by panel chair.
  1. Decisions of Hearings

In private deliberations, the hearing panel or the administrative hearing officer will decide whether the student violated the Academic Integrity Policy.

Decisions will be made based upon the preponderance of the evidence presented in the hearings.

Within five (5) business days of the hearing, the Hearing Officer or Chair of the panel will provide the student and complainant written notification of the decision.

  1. Appeals

Students may wish to appeal decisions of the hearing panel/administrative hearing officer. To initiate an appeal, the student must submit a written request for an appeal within five (5) business days of notification of the results of the hearing. Undergraduate students should address their appeals to the Dean of Student Affairs. Graduate students should address their appeals to the Dean of the Graduate School.

An appeal must be in writing and its scope shall be limited to the following:

  1. Question of Fact: A student may appeal on "questions of fact" by introducing new evidence which would significantly affect the outcome of the case. Evidence that comes forward that was not known by the accused shall be considered as new evidence. Evidence that was withheld by the student shall not constitute a question of fact, nor is it to be considered upon appeal.
  2. Question of Procedure: Appeals will be considered on the basis of "questions of procedure" by demonstrating that the procedural guidelines established in this document were breached and that such departure from established procedure significantly affected the outcome of the case.
  3. Severity of Sanction: Students may appeal the "severity of sanction" that has been imposed by presenting a statement explaining why they feel the penalty is too severe.

All facts and evidence related to the case shall be reviewed by the appropriate Dean to determine whether just cause exists to overturn the hearing panel's or hearing officer's decision. If just cause is determined to exist, then a three-member Appellant Hearing Panel of the Academic Integrity Committee shall be convened by the Dean. If the original hearing was before a hearing panel, then the appeal panel shall be comprised of members of the Academic Integrity Committee who did not hear the original case.

The Appellant Hearing Panel will review the facts of the case in accordance with the due process guidelines set forth in this document. The Dean will notify the student in writing of the decision of the Appellant Hearing Panel within three (3) business days of the appellant hearing. This action shall be final and is not subject to further appeal.

V. Rights of Students Accused of Violating this Policy

Students charged with one or more violations of the University's Policy on Academic Integrity have a right to:

  1. receive a written statement of the specific charges. If requested, students will be allowed to examine any written statements or evidence which the University plans to submit to any hearing panel.
  2. reasonable time to prepare for the hearing.
  3. be present at the hearing during the presentation of any matters on which a decision may be based.
  4. present an explanation of their situation or circumstances at a hearing and ask individuals to present information on their behalf. Should students fail to appear at the scheduled
  5. be accompanied by another member (defined as a registered student, faculty, or staff member) of the campus community to serve as counsel at a hearing. Counsel is permitted to advise the accused student in the organization and presentation of materials, and can advise the student directly in the hearing. Counsel may not address the hearing panel or officer, nor any other individuals providing testimony. Counsel may not respond to any questions for the accused.
  6. ask questions of any hearing panel or officer and of any witnesses.
  7. present a summary statement at the close of the hearing.
  8. a decision about the accuracy of charge based solely upon evidence and testimony presented at the hearing. (If the charges are found to be true, a decision on a sanction can be based upon the hearing and other matters of record.)
  9. an expeditious hearing of the student's case.
  10. a written report of the results and findings of the hearing within five (5) business days of the hearing.
  11. appeal the decision of the hearing panel.

VI. Sanctions

Sanctions imposed upon students for violating the Academic Integrity Policy are outlined below.

  1. Types of Sanctions:
  1. Academic Integrity Warning: An official written notification which includes a warning that further violations of the Academic Integrity policy will result in a more severe sanction.
  2. Academic integrity warning and the course grade is lowered one whole letter grade.
  3. Special Failing Grade: A student receives a grade of "F*". If the student has not completed an education assignment within the time specified by the hearing officer, 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 contest and competitions, and similar events.

  1. Suspension: A decision of Suspension terminates the person's status as an enrolled student for an indefinite period of time and prohibits the student from attending classes. Persons who reside on campus shall remove their belongings from their place of residence within 72 hours of notice that the penalty of Suspension has been rendered. Reinstatement and conditions for reinstatement, if any, shall depend upon an evaluation by the Dean of Student Affairs following an application for reinstatement by the student.
  2. Expulsion: A decision of Expulsion terminates the person's status as an enrolled student with no opportunity for reinstatement. An expelled student may not enter onto any part of the campus without specific authorization from the Dean of Student Affairs. Persons who reside on campus shall remove their belongings from their place of residence within 72 hours of notice that the penalty of Expulsion has been rendered. Expulsion which results from a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy is listed as such on the student's academic transcript.
  1. Special Conditions

Students receiving sanctions ranging from Academic Integrity Warning to Suspension also will be required to participate in an education program. Education programs are assigned by the hearing officer/Hearing Panel. Assignments can include a requirement for a student to attend a workshop, seminar or course on an issue related to academic integrity; complete a community service project or present a paper on a topic related to academic integrity.

  1. Range of Sanctions:
  1. First Offense: Penalties may range from Academic Integrity Warning to Suspension. In cases associated with a criminal act, a sanction of Expulsion may be imposed.
  2. Second Offense: Penalties may range from Special Failing Grade to Expulsion.
  3. Third Offense: Expulsion.

Senate Procedure 109.1.1

Revised:
12/08/2016 - Annual Review: No changes made to content.
05/18/2015 - Annual Review: To reflect current practice, the email address for questions is now policy@mtu.edu. No changes made to content.
05/29/2014 - Annual Review: Updated Michigan Tech and Handbook banners, no changes made to content.
04/04/2013 - Annual Review: To be consistent with Senate Procedure 109.1.1. "Section I. Practice" now reads "III. Practice", "II. Procedures" now reads "IV. Procedures", and "Adopted by Senate: January 30, 2002. Approved by President: February 7, 2002. Introduced Amendment (section IV.D.2.a) to Senate: March 31, 2010, Adopted by Senate: April 14, 2010. Approved by Administration: April 22, 2010" now reads "Senate Procedure 109.1.1".
07/27/2011 - Annual Review: Added section I. Practice and I. Procedures is now II. Procedures to reflect current University titles and practice, MTU is now Michigan Tech, and the email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.
09/24/2010 - Included "at-large" in section IV.D.2.a