Portions in RED are proposed changes
Portions in BLUE are explanations
Wichita State University
Policies and Procedures Manual
Policy on
Student Academic Honesty Misconduct
Initiating Authority: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research
Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations
Accountability: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research
Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations
Purpose: The purpose of this statement is to comply with Board of Regents policies regarding Student Academic Honesty
I. Preamble
The Board of Regents believes that student 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.
II. Policy Statement [the policy statement listed hereafter will become part of the WSU Policies and Procedures, 8.05 / Student Code of Conduct, and will replace the section “Academic Dishonesty” under a new heading “Academic Misconduct”]
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 examined 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:
a. Cheating in any form, whether in formal examinations or elsewhere.
b. Using or submitting the work of others as one’s own original work without assigning proper credit to the source.
c. Misrepresentation of any work done in or out of the classroom or in preparation for class, including the submission of previously-submitted work, or portions thereof, without prior approval of the instructor.
d. Falsification, fabrication, forgery or
alteration of any documents or data pertaining
to academic records work.
e. Colluding with others in an effort to obtain a grade or credit not truly reflective of what the student knows or has learned.
f. Denying others access to information or material or deliberately impeding the progress of another student.
g. Knowingly or negligently facilitating a violation of integrity, even if the student does not benefit from the violation.
Students violating such a standards must accept the consequences and
appropriate assessed penalties, which may include reprimand, a failing grade
for an assignment/test, or a failing grade for the course. The University may
also impose additional academic sanctions, including: the recording of a
grade of XF on a student’s transcript
(specifically denoting on the students transcript that the F grade was
the result of a violation of classroom standards of academic honesty), 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 the students’ responsibility to
be familiar with University policy on academic dishonesty
misconduct and to uphold standards of academic
honesty at all times and in all situations
4. Faculty members need to be aware of the possibility for 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 has a reasonable good faith
belief that a student or students have committed academic misconduct,
alleges a violation of the University's standard of academic honesty, but
imposes recommends no academic sanction
by the University, no official follow-up is
required. The she or he shall choose one of the
following courses of action.
(a) For violations that may occur because of inexperience and are characterized by the absence of dishonest intent on the part of the student, the instructor should discuss her or his concern with the student and may provide an opportunity to redo the assignment or retake the examination.
(b) For violations of academic integrity that are more serious in nature, or that affect a more significant aspect or portion of the course work, the faculty member has the 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. When an F is given on an assignment or for the entire course as the result of academic misconduct, the faculty member shall notify the Dean of Students, who will record and maintain such information. If the student has been previously engaged in academic misconduct, the Dean of Students will follow proceedings as set forth under Student Disciplinary Procedures.
(c) For the most serious breaches of academic integrity a faculty member may recommend the imposition of additional sanctions: the recording of a grade of XF on the student’s transcript, suspension, or dismissal. In such cases the faculty member shall refer the matter to the Dean of Students, who will follow proceedings as set forth under Student Disciplinary Procedures.
7. In the event that an allegation of academic misconduct is not upheld, students retain the right to appeal a grade through the Court of Student Academic Appeals (section 2.03).
7. When a faculty member has a 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. When an
F is given on an assignment or for the entire course as the result of academic
misconduct, the faculty member must notify the Dean of Students, who will record
and maintain such information. If the student has been previously engaged in
academic misconduct, the Dean of Students will determine appropriate steps in
accordance with paragraph 9.
8. If the faculty member believes that an XF grade should be given or that
more severe sanctions should be imposed, the faculty member shall refer the
matter to the Dean of Students, who will initiate proceedings to determine if
such a designation should be reflected on the student's transcript or if more
severe sanctions should be imposed. The Dean of Students will implement
disciplinary procedures as set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.
9. Upon notification by the faculty member, the Dean of Students will contact
the student alleged to have breached the standard of academic dishonesty. 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 recommended sanction, the
Dean of Students will proceed pursuant to the student disciplinary procedures
set forth in the Student Code of Conduct.
III. Implementation
This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.
The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research and the Vice President for Campus Life and University Relations shall have shared responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.
IV. Effective Date
This policy will become effective _________________.
REVIEW AND APPROVED
________________________
Donald L. Beggs, President
________________________
Date
8.05 / Student Code of Conduct
Academic
Dishonesty Misconduct
insert policy as approved
Committing Acts of Dishonesty
…
Student Disciplinary Procedures
I. Reporting an Incident
Written documentation … the Office of Student Life. Allegations of academic misconduct are to be reported to the Dean of Students. This written documentation will be shared with the accused student during the hearing process.
II. Initial Review by Judicial Advisor
D. Once the preliminary review
has been completed, if the Judicial Advisor determines a reasonable case exists
to justify either the recording of a grade of XF
on a student’s transcript, expulsion or suspension, the student has the
choice to represent his/her case to the Hearing Board or to the Judicial
Advisor. All other cases will be referred to the Judicial Advisor.
IV. Hearing Board Process
A. In cases
involving potential suspension, expulsion, or the
recording of a grade of XF on the student’s transcript, students may
choose to have the disciplinary hearing be conducted by the Hearing Board. The
Hearing Board for each case will include: two
three (23) faculty and two (2)
students, and one (1) non-faculty member. The
Dean of Students shall appoint one (1) non-faculty member
to serve ex oficio (non-voting) and record the
proceedings. Quorum for the Hearing Board is a minimum of three (3)
members, one (1) of which must be a student. The student members will be
appointed by the Student Government Association and the faculty members
by the Faculty Senate and non-faculty
employees will be appointed by the Dean of Students.
D. For each hearing, one
(1) member shall be designated as chair by the Dean of Students.
The Board shall elect one of its members to serve as
chair.
VIII. Sanctions [insert new item in the list of sanctions]
C. The recording of a grade of XF on a student’s transcript (specifically denoting that the F grade was the result of a violation of standards of academic honesty).
2.03 / Court of Student Academic Appeals
The faculty at Wichita State
has established a procedure to resolve disputes arising out of the classroom
through the Court of Student Academic Appeals. The court hears appeals for
students who feel they have been treated unfairly in grading or in an
instructor's charges of plagiarism, cheating, or similar offenses. The
court is designed to help resolve differences that cannot be settled within the
framework of the student-faculty relationship and offers an important safeguard
for students. Any student may use the appeal procedure.
5. The student
and or faculty member may be
represented by counsel
may have an advisor present during the hearing, but the
advisor may not appear in lieu of either party or otherwise act as their
representative. from the University community but not by an attorney.