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Graduate Student Academic Conduct
Code
- Philosophy of Discipline
The objective of the College of Engineering in enforcing
academic rules is to promote an academic community in which
learning can best take place. This atmosphere can be maintained
only when every student believes that his or her academic
competence is being judged fairly and that he or she will
not be put at a disadvantage because of the dishonesty of
someone else. Penalties imposed should be carefully determined
so that they are no more or no less than is required to maintain
the desired atmosphere. In defining violation of this code,
the intent is to protect the integrity of the educational
process.
- Definition of Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct occurs when a student intentionally
misrepresents his or her academic accomplishments or hurts
other students' chances of being judged fairly for their academic
work.
- Violations of This Code
Violations of this code are those that constitute an attempt
to be dishonest or deceptive in the performance of academic
work in or out of the classroom or to alter academic records
or to collaborate with another student or students in an act
of academic misconduct, such as the following.
- Cheating on Examinations: Cheating is defined
as any attempt by a student to alter his or her performance
on an examination in violation of that examination's stated
or commonly understood ground rules.
- Plagiarism: Plagiarism is any attempt by
a student to represent the work of another as his or her
own. This violation includes copying the answers of another
student on an oral or written examination or copying or
substantially restating the work of another person or persons
in any oral or written work without citing the appropriate
source, collaborating with someone else in an academic endeavor
without acknowledging his or her contribution, unless collaboration
is specifically permitted for the particular endeavor.
- Misrepresentation or Falsification of Data
presented for surveys, experiments, and so on.
- Theft of an Examination: Theft is defined
as stealing or otherwise discovering and/or making known
to others the content of an examination that has not yet
been administered.
- Forgery, Alteration, or Knowing Misuse
of graded examinations, grade lists, or official University
records or documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation,
and so on, or alteration of examination or other work after
submission.
- Theft or Destruction of Examinations or Papers
after submission for the purpose of covering up possible
poor performance or to cause harm to another student.
- Failure to Comply with the Sanctions imposed
under the authority of this code.
- Conflict of interests between GTFs and Undergraduates.
- Procedures
- Proceedings before the Graduate Committee are initiated
when instances of suspected academic misconduct are reported
to the Chairman of the Committee. If the Chairman determines
there is sufficient evidence to indicate an infraction of
the academic conduct code may have occurred, the case is
forwarded to the Committee. The Committee consists of a
Chairman, four faculty members (one from each of the departments
within the College) who are appointed by the Dean. The Committee
shall have jurisdiction (1) over every alleged act of academic
misconduct on the part of (a) any Graduate student enrolled
in the College and (b) any student enrolled in a course
taught in the College, whether that student is enrolled
in the College or some other school at this University or
any other college or university, and whether that course
is taught during the regular academic year or in Summer
Term as well as (2) every alleged act of academic misconduct
pertaining to documents or course credits earned in the
College by any person. This jurisdiction shall include any
student enrolled in the ENG course whether in a degree program
or not.
- The College Graduate Committee shall inform the student
by letter on the following matters:
- The charges;
- The date, time, and location of the hearing;
- The fact that he or she may be advised by a person
of his or her choice, and that he or she may call witnesses
on his or her behalf if these witnesses can provide
information that is relevant to the case; but, the advisor,
if there is one, has no right of direct participation
in the proceedings;
- The fact that he or she shall have the right at the
hearing to question the person bringing the charges
on behalf of the College and all witnesses and to examine
all documents which have been introduced as evidence;
and
- The fact that an audio recording will be made of
the hearing and that he or she may make their own audio
recording and have the right to obtain copies of the
audio recording of the hearing at actual cost.
- Hearings
- A member of the Committee shall be excused if the
case might involve a conflict of interest (i.e., kinship,
etc.).
- The Dean may appoint pro tempore members to replace
regular members who are unable to attend or have been
excused. Such pro tempore members shall vote and participate
only in the specific hearing to which they are appointed.
- A representative from the home college of any non-ENG
student shall be invited to attend the hearing and the
Committee deliberations, but will not vote.
- The quorum for hearings shall be four voting members
of the Committee.
- The Chairman shall be counted as a voting member,
but shall cast his or her vote only in order to break
a tie vote.
- A hearing shall proceed in the absence of the accused
student only if the Committee is satisfied that proper
notice was given and that there is no legitimate cause
for the absence.
- The hearing shall be recorded by audio recording.
The records are to be preserved for at least one year,
and as much longer as necessary to provide evidence
for appeals or recourse to courts.
- The order of the hearing shall be as follows:
- Presentation of charges and evidence by the individual
(s) who gave evidence to the College of possible
Conduct Code infraction
- Statement by the accused student
- Examination of material evidence and/or witnesses
by the Committee and by the accused student
- After excusing the accused student, advisor and
witnesses, deliberation of the Committee:
- Formulation of the judgment by a majority
vote of the members present.
- Assessing the appropriate penalties if a
judgment of guilty has been rendered on any
of the counts.
- In as much as the hearing does not have the force
of a court hearing, the Committee is not bound by legal
rules of evidence.
- The hearing shall not be public and information gained
at the hearing shall be treated as privileged information
by all participants. This rule does not bar disclosing
of the findings and recommendations of the Committee
to those authorized to receive such information. In
as much as this provision is for the protection of the
accused, it does not bar him or her from disclosing
the proceeding if he or she so wishes.
- By written request of the accused student to the
Chairman, a limited number of specified visitors may
be allowed to attend the hearing.
- The hearing shall be conducted with proper decorum.
The hearing may be recessed at the option of the Chairman
if:
- Additional evidence or witnesses are needed.
- It is apparent that a fair hearing cannot be
held because of disturbances, illness, or similar
causes.
- The Chairman of the Committee shall, from time to
time, but in no case less frequently than once a year,
make public the facts and decisions of all cases that
come before the Committee. The Chairman shall choose
the vehicle that in his or her judgment is the most
efficient with regard to dissemination of said information
to the University Community. In no case, however, shall
the Chairman, reveal the name of any student, professor,
instructor, or course involved in a case that has been
heard by the Committee. The names of the members of
the Committee may be included in the Chairman's report.
- Committee's Recommendation
The complete recommendation, including a statement of
the charges, evidence, and judgment, shall be transmitted
to the Associate Dean as soon as possible, but no later
than five business days after the hearing at which the
judgment was made. The Associate Dean, who imposes sanctions,
shall review the report and the appropriateness of the
recommended sanctions. In case of doubt he or she may
refer the matter back to the committee for further consideration
and/or elaboration or request the transcript or recordings
of the hearing and/or evidence. However, the factual findings
of the Committee shall not be replaced by more damaging
ones unless the Associate Dean has submitted new evidence
for a re-hearing. Similarly, the Associate Dean shall
not impose more severe sanctions than those recommended
by the Committee. In the case of non-ENG students, the
Associate Dean shall transmit the Committee recommendations
to the Dean of the college of the student. In the event
that the Dean of said college shall deviate substantially
from the recommendation of the Associate Dean of ENG,
the latter may, upon the recommendation of the Committee,
and after consulting with the Dean of the other college,
prohibit the student in question from taking courses in
the College of Engineering for a period of time that shall
reflect the intent of the original recommendation.
- The Associate Dean shall notify the student (and his
or her parent or guardian if the parent or guardian has
the right to access the student's record, according to the
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act) by registered letter
with return receipt, of the judgment and penalty imposed.
The letter shall also inform the student of the procedure
of appeal, as discussed in section VI.
- Non-ENG Violations
When ENG students are called before the academic conduct
committee of another college in the University, the following
procedure is followed.
- The Dean shall notify the other college that an ENG
representative should be present at the hearing and
deliberations.
- After such hearing, the Dean shall review the report
and judgment and refer the case to the Chairman. Unless
special problems are apparent which should be discussed
by the Committee the Dean shall reach a judgment and
assess an appropriate penalty.
- The ENG Associate Dean shall notify the ENG student
(and his or her parent or guardian if the parent or
guardian has the right to access the student's record,
according to the Family Education, Rights and Privacy
Act) by registered letter with return receipt, of the
judgment and penalty imposed. The letter shall also
inform the student of the procedure for appeal. A copy
of this letter shall also be sent to the Dean of the
college in which the hearing was held.
- Penalties
- The Graduate Committee on Student Conduct shall have
jurisdiction in all cases involving violation of this code
within the College of Engineering.
- No penalties for academic violations listed in C below
may be applied by or in the name of the College of Engineering
except in accordance with this code; specifically, students
shall not be penalized for academic misconduct except though
recommendations of the Committee to the Associate Dean (complaints
about improper treatment or recommended sanctions may be
made to the Associate Dean).
- If the accused is found guilty, the following penalties
may be recommended, in order of increasing severity. The
College deeps a record indefinitely of all violations of
the academic code of conduct. This information is available
only to authorized inquiries.
Reprimand
For violations of a minor nature or mitigated by special
circumstances.
- A copy of the reprimand shall be kept on file but
shall not be recorded on the student's permanent academic
record. Past reprimands may be considered in imposing
sanctions for further offenses.
- The reprimand places no restriction on the student's
participation in academic or nonacademic College or
University activities.
Disciplinary probation
For violations deemed serious enough to warrant some
abridgment of the student's rights and privileges.
- Probation is given for a specified period of time.
- A notice of disciplinary probation is sent to the
parent or guardian if the parent or guardian has the
right to access the student's record, according to
the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- The student's probation is recorded on the student's
permanent academic record for the period of probation.
However, a record of this violation is kept by the
College indefinitely.
- Disciplinary probation prohibits the student from
being an officer in any recognized all-University
or College student organization.
- Probation may be coupled with appropriate disciplinary
activity (e.g., community service work assignment)
at the discretion of the Graduate Committee.
- After expiration of the probation period, information
on such probationary status is to be supplied to those
outside of the University only after written approval
by the student.
Suspension
For violations deemed serious enough to warrant separation
of the student from the University community for a limited
time but not serious enough to warrant expulsion.
- Suspension is given for a period from one to four
terms.
- A notice sent to the parent or guardian if the
parent or guardian has a right to access the student's
records, according to the Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act.
- The student's suspension is recorded on the student's
permanent academic record for the period of suspension.
However, a record of this violation is kept by the
College indefinitely.
- Suspension may be coupled with appropriate disciplinary
activity at the discretion of the Graduate Committee.
- After the expiration of the suspension period,
information on such suspension status is to be supplied
to those outside the University only after written
approval by the student.
Expulsion
For extremely serious academic misconduct, when it
is the opinion of the Committee on Student Conduct that
the presence of the student constitutes a substantial
and continuing threat to the maintenance of a satisfactory
academic atmosphere.
- Notice is sent to the parent or guardian of a student
if the parent or guardian has a right to access the
student's records, according to the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act.
- Expulsion is recorded permanently on the student's
academic records.
- Expulsion is permanent.
Other sanctions
For fraudulent use of college transcripts or degree
certificates or similar serious misconduct.
- Recommendations of the Committee may include, but
are not limited to, withholding of transcripts, removal
of suspension of rights and privileges of the degree,
or legal suit by the Trustees.
- Action is recorded on the student's academic record
card for a specified period or permanently, as recommended.
- Students shall receive a copy of the Code at the time
of the student's first registration at the College. The
College Bulletin indicates avalability of the Code in the
College Graduate Office.
- Appeals
- A student may appeal the judgment of the penalty to the
Associate Dean. This appeal must be written.
- The Associate Dean shall review the documentation or
refer the appeal to the Graduate Committee for clarification
and comments.
- Appeals are only considered when there is evidence that
was not considered by the Committee during the hearing,
or if the hearing was not conducted properly.
- The Associate Dean reserves the right to require a rehearing
if he or she feels it is appropriate. The procedure at a
rehearing is the same as at the original hearing.
- If there is a rehearing, a recommendation to the Associate
Dean is to be made.
- Before making a decision concerning the appeal, the Associate
Dean may conduct his or her own investigation, if he or
she has doubts about the recommendation of the Committee.
- Based on the new evidence considered or investigation
conducted during the appeal, the Associate Dean has the
right to dismiss the charges, or decrease the sanction,
or uphold the original finding.
- Appeals that have been denied by the Associate Dean may
be addressed to the College Dean who will review the evidence
and either conclude the sanctions imposed by the Associate
Dean are appropriate or he/she may decrease or dismiss the
sanctions.
- Appeals denied by the College Dean may be addressed to
the Provost.
- All appeals must be submitted within two weeks of the
notification of the Committee's decision, in the case of
appealing to the Associate Dean, or of the Associate Dean's
decision, in the case of appealing to the College Dean,
or of the College Dean's decision in the case of appealing
to the Provost.
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