Academic Misconduct ( Student)

A fundamental tenet of all institutions of higher learning is academic honesty. Academic work must depend upon respect
for and acknowledgement of the research and ideas of others.  Misrepresentation of someone else’s work as one’s own is a
most serious offense in any academic setting.  Academic misconduct in any form cannot be condoned.

The following procedural guidelines are to be followed in matters of alleged academic misconduct:

A. During the course of an examination or other exercise, an instructor or proctor who observes suspicious behavior such
as copying or collusion may warn the individuals involved of the appearance of their actions and request them to cease
immediately. Continuation of such behavior can be considered evidence of academic misconduct. The professor is not
obligated to warn students beforehand and the cessation of the suspicious behavior does not relieve the student of a later
judgment of academic dishonesty.

B. A remarkable similarity between works supposedly completed independently that are submitted for evaluation may
be considered evidence indicating academic misconduct.

C. When a professor believes there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate a clear case of academic misconduct, the professor
shall notify the student in writing. Notification should occur within 30 days of discovery of the academic misconduct.
The notice shall indicate that unless the student requests a hearing, the professor shall impose the appropriate academic
consequences warranted by the circumstances and that a disciplinary hearing may be initiated. The appropriate academic
consequence for serious offenses is generally considered to be failure in the course. Students may not withdraw from a
course to avoid an F grade as the academic consequence for a violation. For less serious offenses regarding small positions of
the course work, failure for that portion is suggested with the requirement that the student repeat the work for no credit.
The faculty member is responsible for saving the evidence of academic misconduct in its original form and need not return
any of the papers or other materials to the student. Copies of the student’s work and information about other evidence will
be provided to the student upon request.

D. The student is given seven days from this first written notice to respond. If the student acknowledges responsibility or if the student does not respond to the written notice, the academic consequences shall be imposed by the professor who will also submit a report to the Dean of the college and the Dean of Students.

E. If the professor requests or if the student has a prior disciplinary record or unusual circumstances exist, the Dean of
Students can initiate a hearing utilizing the regular discipline process as stipulated in the Student Conduct Code which may
alter the student’s status with the University.

F. If a student chooses to contest the charge of academic misconduct the student may request in writing to the professor
with a copy to the Dean of Students, a disciplinary hearing to determine the facts of the alleged misconduct. The Dean of
Students shall initiate the regular disciplinary process. The purpose of the hearing is to determine the student’s responsibility
for the alleged academic misconduct. If the student is judged by the hearing authority as stipulated in the Student Conduct
Code to be responsible for a violation, the professor shall determine the appropriate academic consequences within the
course and the hearing authority will decide what regular disciplinary sanction, including suspension or expulsion, will be
imposed. If the hearing authority determines the student was not responsible for a violation, no academic consequences
within the course can be imposed by the professor.

G. The Dean of Students is responsible for assisting students, professors and hearing authorities in matters of process and
procedure associated with Winthrop’s academic misconduct policy. The Dean of Students will inform the Dean of the
College in which the student is enrolled that the case has been reported and of any final action taken by the professor and/
or the hearing authority.

1. http://www.winthrop.edu/student-affairs/
2. http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedfiles/studentconduct/studenthandbook.pdf
3. http://www.winthrop.edu/uploadedfiles/studentconduct/studenthandbook.pdf#page=38

Vice President for Student Life

Not specified

2010