This piece is an overview of Caldwell University's academic misconduct disciplinary procedures. If you attend this institution and have been accused of this violation, it is strongly recommended that you read your school's student handbook supplementary to this overview. Although my article consists of crucial information about your school's processes, it is limited information. A thorough read through your school's handbook will provide with more insight and aid you in determining your course of action in these circumstances.
Caldwell University's “Academic Integrity Policy”
According to Caldwell University's student handbook, academic misconduct claims are taken incredibly seriously. Academic misconduct is considered a breach of academic integrity, which is regarded as essential to the very nature of the academic community. The student handbook proceeds to list examples of violations of the academic integrity policy. These include (but are not limited to):
Cheating: Unauthorized use of materials during tests and examinations, unauthorized possession of test or examination material prior to the administration of same, altering assigned grades, or submitting, as one's own work, assignments obtained in whole or in part from another, unless specifically authorized to do so by the instructor.
Fabricating: Inventing data or other information to reach a desired conclusion.
Plagiarism: The unacknowledged, undocumented presentation or words or ideas which are the intellectual property of another as one's own.
Multiple submissions: Assignments, substantially the same as those submitted for credit in another course, may not be resubmitted in a second course without the explicit authorization of that instructor.
Interference: Behavior deliberately calculated to prevent or impede another student from fulfilling his or her academic responsibilities.
Complicity: Assisting another student in violating Academic Integrity by any of the actions described in this document.
This list is not to be construed as merely exhaustive or restrictive. No list could possibly include all the possible breaches of the school's academic integrity policy. Therefore, any actions that could be reasonably labeled as academic misconduct may be penalized by the institution.
Procedures
The resolution of academic misconduct is a process that can either be short or drawn out depending on the severity of the alleged violation, and the course of action instructors and teachers decide. Caldwell University's processes will be carried out in the following fashion:
Charges and Appealing Charges
If a faculty member (usually an instructor) determines that a violation of academic integrity has occurred, he/she must confront the student and report the incident to the department chair and the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
It is the duty of the Vice President to investigate the facts and affirm or dismiss the charge. Subsequently, the student is allowed to register a formal appeal with the Vice President, who will convene the Academic Appeals Board. The handbook doesn't indicate a specific time, but the implication is that a student is to appeal immediately upon their notification of the charges if he/she finds them to be unjustified, unfair or disproportionate to the offense.
If the board determines that the appeal is warranted, it will invite testimony from both the student and faculty member involved, and if necessary, may solicit other relevant information.
Sanctions
Following are the penalties to be imposed on students for violation of the Academic Integrity Policy:
First offense (no record of prior offense within the university)
- The student will be assigned a grade of F/no credit for the assignment or examination
- For offenses such as interference, when the student may not be enrolled in the course, the offense will be recorded in the student's file
Multiple offenses
- The student will be given an FX grade in the course indicating failure due to a violation of the university's academic integrity policy
More severe penalties
- The university has the right to impose suspension for a designated time, or expulsion from the university
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