Preamble:
The Board of Regents believes that academic dishonesty is inimical
to
the fundamental ideas of public higher education.
Furthermore,
the Board believes that public higher education has a mission to
develop the moral reasoning abilities of students and to promote
the
importance of integrity in all aspects of student life, but
particularly in academics. Therefore, it is the policy of
the
Kansas Board of Regents that student academic dishonesty not be
tolerated on the campuses of the Regents institutions.
Board of Regents policy requires that Wichita State University
implement and promote specific policies, procedures, and programs
which
seek to: (i) identify prohibited academic conduct by students;
(ii)
educate all students, faculty and administrators with regard to
the
nature, impact and consequences of student academic dishonesty;
(iii)
effectively report and seek to reduce such behaviors; (iv) provide
for
due process for students accused of academic dishonesty; (v) set
forth
clear sanctions, ranging from reprimand to dismissal from the
university, for students who have committed acts of academic
dishonesty; and (vi) implement a comprehensive and integrated plan
to
promote academic integrity among students, faculty and
administrators.
Policy Statement:
1. Opportunities for learning at Wichita State University
involve
the
students' right to express their views and to take reasoned
exception
to
the views of faculty; to examine all questions felt to be
appropriate
to a course of study; to be protected from improper disclosure or
ridicule of their views and beliefs; to be tested and assessed in
a
fair and
impartial manner; and to be treated with dignity and
respect.
Students are responsible, however, for learning the content of any
course of study as outlined by their instructors, regardless of
any
views or judgments privately held and for demonstrating their
attainment
and performance regarding a course of study in an honest manner.
2. A standard of academic honesty, fairly applied to all
students, is essential to a learning environment. Students
who
compromise
the integrity of the classroom are subject to disciplinary action
by
their instructor, their department, their college and/or the
University. Violations of classroom standards of academic
honesty
include, but are not limited to:
Students violating such standards must accept the consequences
and
appropriately assessed penalties, which may include reprimand, a
failing grade, or suspension or dismissal from an academic program
or
the University. Students accused of abridging a standard of
academic honesty will be provided with mechanisms for review and
appeal
of decisions regarding allegations of academic misconduct.
3. The fundamental responsibility for the maintenance of
the
standards
of academic honesty rests with each student. It is each
student's
responsibility to be familiar with University policy on academic
honesty and to uphold standards of academic honesty at all times
and in
all situations.
4. Faculty members need to be aware of the possibility of
academic
misconduct, watchful for any instances of academic misconduct and
diligent in addressing those who do not maintain the standards of
academic honesty.
5. Faculty members are responsible for clarification to
their
classes
of the expectations and requirements relative to academic honesty
for
class assignments or projects. Each faculty member shall
also
make
clear to each class the faculty member's individual policy toward
penalties given for breaches of academic honesty.
6. If a faculty member alleges a violation of the
University's
standard of
academic honesty, but imposes no academic sanction, no official
follow-up is required. The faculty member should discuss her
or
his concern with the student and may also provide an opportunity
for
the
student to redo the assignment or retake the examination.
7. When a faculty member has reasonable good faith belief
that
a
student or students have committed academic misconduct, that
faculty
member has the sole discretion to give the student an "F" on the
assignment/test on which the student[s] committed academic
misconduct
or
an "F" for the entire course. If the student does not
contest
the allegation, no further action need be taken. If the
student
wishes to contest the allegation and/or the grade (for the course
or
the assignment/test), the student shall contact
the Dean of the faculty member's School or College, who will refer
the
matter for review by an individual appointed by the Dean.
The
reviewer shall provide a report and recommendations to the Dean
within
fifteen (15) class days. The Dean shall then have ten (10)
class
days to act upon the
report and recommendation and the Dean's decision regarding the
grade
(for the course or the assignment/test) shall be
final. The Dean shall share her/his decision with the Vice
President
for Campus Life and University Relations, the Provost, the Dean of
the student's
School or College (if different) and the faculty member.
8. If the Dean recommends that more severe sanctions should
be
imposed
and/or the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations
determines that more severe sanctions, including suspension or
expulsion from the University should be implemented, the Vice
President
for Campus Life and University Relations will implement
disciplinary procedures as set forth in the Student Code
of
Conduct.
Implementation:
This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and
Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate
constituencies of
the University.
The Provost and the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations shall have shared responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.
Effective Date:
July 14, 2010