Academic Integrity (A-9.1)
Original Implementation: Unpublished
Last Revision: July 19, 2011
Abiding by university policy on academic integrity is a responsibility of all university faculty and students. Faculty members must promote the components of academic integrity in their instruction, and course syllabi are required to provide information about penalties for cheating and plagiarism as well as the appeal process.
Definition of Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes both cheating and plagiarism. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
- using or attempting to use unauthorized materials to aid in achieving a better grade on a component of a class;
- falsification or invention of any information, including citations, on an assignment; and/or,
- helping or attempting to help another in an act of cheating or plagiarism.
Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
- submitting an assignment as if it were one's own work when, in fact, it is at least partly the work of another;
- submitting a work that has been purchased or otherwise obtained from the Internet or another source; and,
- incorporating the words or ideas of an author into one's paper or presentation without giving the author due credit.
Procedure for Addressing Student Academic Dishonesty
A faculty member who has evidence and/or suspects that academic dishonesty has occurred shall gather all pertinent information, approach the student(s) involved, and initiate the following procedure:
- The faculty member shall review all evidence of cheating or plagiarism and discuss it directly with the student(s) involved. The faculty member shall inform the student(s) of the procedure for addressing academic dishonesty, as well as the appeals process.
- After hearing the student(s)' explanation or defense, the faculty member will determine whether or not academic dishonesty has occurred and will inform the student(s) what action will be taken. Penalties may include reprimand, no credit for the assignment or exam, re-submission of the work, make-up exam, or failure of the course. The faculty member may consult with the academic unit chair/director and dean in making these decisions.
- After a determination of academic dishonesty, the faculty member shall notify the office of the dean of the student's major by submitting a Report of Academic Dishonesty, along with supporting documentation as noted on the form. This report shall be made part of the student's record and shall remain on file with the dean's office for at least four years.
- Upon second or subsequent offenses, the dean of the student’s major will determine a course of action, which may include dismissal from the university. The dean may refer the case to the college council for review and recommendations before making this determination.
A student's record of academic dishonesty will not be available to faculty members. The purpose of the record is for the dean to track a pattern of academic dishonesty during a student's academic career at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Students who are found to have demonstrated academic dishonesty and have withdrawn prior to the award of a grade will continue to have the determination of the infraction within their student records.
Student Appeals
A student who wishes to appeal decisions related to academic integrity should follow procedures outlined in Academic Appeals of Students (A-2).
Cross Reference: Student Handbook; Academic Appeals by Students (A-2); and Add/Drop (A-5)
Responsible for Implementation: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Contact for Revision: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Forms: Report of Academic Dishonesty Form
Board Committee Assignment: Academic and Student Affairs