Every offense against academic honesty seriously undermines the teaching-learning process for which the University exists, and such offenses will be dealt with expeditiously according to the following criteria.
- Definition
Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to:- Cheating on an examination or test; for example, by copying from another’s work or using unauthorized materials before or during the test, including the use of electronic devices;
- Plagiarism, which represents as one’s own the work of another, whether published or not, without acknowledging the precise source;
- Participation in the academic dishonesty of another student, even though one’s own work is not directly affected;
- Any conduct which would be recognized as dishonest in an academic setting.
- Charge of Academic Dishonesty
Faculty and/or exam administrators who consider that they have a valid case of academic dishonesty against a student must inform the student of the charge and the resulting penalty which is at the discretion of the faculty member. The faculty member will submit the charge, penalty and supporting documentation to the Dean of Students and the Registrar using the Academic Dishonesty form on the portal after the act has been discovered and investigated but no later than the date when the course grades are due for the semester or academic session. Record of the offence will be kept by the Registrar’s office as an official academic record. Each case will be treated as a matter of deferred adjudication; if and when the student graduates, the record will be expunged. A student wishing to appeal the academic dishonesty charge must write a letter of appeal within seven days of receiving the Report of Academic Dishonesty. The Registrar will forward the appeal and all supporting documents pertaining to the case to the Academic Committee. - Level Three Offenses
In the case where the student is an undergraduate: When a Level Three offense has been upheld against a student, the default sanction shall be dismissal from the University. In exceptional cases, the Dean of Students office in consultation with the reporting faculty member, and the Dean of the respective school have the prerogative to reduce the level of the sanction. Readmission to the University may be considered under extraordinary circumstances through a written appeal to the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs. In the case where the student is a graduate student: The graduate program directors, in consultation with the reporting faculty member, the chair (where applicable), and the dean of the respective school; have the prerogative to impose sanctions up to and including dismissal from the graduate program. Readmission to the University may be considered under extraordinary circumstances through a written appeal to the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.