Policy dealing with academic integrity
Institutions of higher education are dedicated to the pursuit
of truth. In this pursuit, academic honesty is of fundamental
importance. Faculty, students and administrators all have a
responsibility to value, demonstrate and safeguard academic
integrity as one of the university's most essential institutional
values.
The university has an obligation to establish and promote standards
of academic integrity, and each member of the university community has
the responsibility to understand, support, and practice them. When
standards of academic integrity are followed, teaching and learning
can proceed in an environment of trust. When such standards are violated,
teaching and learning are in doubt and suspicion. Therefore, the best
interests of the university community require that cases of alleged
academic dishonesty be addressed seriously but equitably.
At Bridgewater State University, academic honesty is expected of
all students; plagiarism and cheating are not condoned and are subject
to academic penalty, which may result in a failure for the course in
which the violation took place. A violation may result in a reduced
grade, suspension, or dismissal from the university.
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism,
cheating, and dishonest practices. The procedure for implementing an
academic penalty for academic misconduct is as follows:
- The instructor shall notify the student of the alleged violation,
and they shall discuss the matter usually within seven days of the
notice of the alleged infraction. The instructor and/or the student
may request that the department chair, or other party from the
university, be present at this meeting. The instructor shall notify
the department chair and the associate provost for faculty affairs of
the nature of the alleged violation, the outcome of the meeting held
with the student, and the penalty, which may include a reduced grade
on an assignment or in the course, including failure. The instructor
reports the case to the academic review panel, and may refer the case
for review. The instructor shall inform the student that further
action may be taken by the associate provost, in cases of repeat
offenses. The associate provost for faculty affairs will refer cases
of repeat offenses to the academic review panel.
- If the matter is not resolved, the student or instructor may
request a hearing within five school days before the academic review
panel, and the student and instructor, each with a representative
serving in an advisory capacity, should either choose to have one,
shall meet with the panel to discuss the alleged violation of
university policy. The academic review panel shall conduct its
investigations usually within 15 days following notification and
shall follow the requirements of due process. Based upon the
allegations or evidence received, the panel may recommend further
sanctions, or no change in sanctions, or a reduction in sanctions,
and will take into account any previous infractions only after it
concludes its investigation of the present case. Further sanctions
may include suspension or expulsion.
Requests by students for hearings by the academic review panel will be
considered on the basis of inappropriate sanctions, violation of due
process, procedural error that negatively impacted the outcome, or new
evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the meeting
with the instructor.
The academic review panel will consist of three faculty members and
two student members of the academic policies committee, appointed
annually by the chairperson of that committee; three members must be
present, including at least two faculty members, to constitute a
quorum. In addition, the associate provost for faculty affairs will
serve in a non-voting capacity as advisor to the panel and will
maintain a record of reported violations by students. Multiple
offenses by a student may have a bearing on the sanctions imposed by
the panel. All evidence before the Academic Review Panel is
confidential.
Any decision of the academic review panel shall be forwarded in writing
to the associate provost for faculty affairs, who shall inform both the
student and the instructor of the decision in writing by hand delivery or
by return-receipt-requested, addressee-only mail. Once a student has
received notice from the instructor that he or she has been charged with
an academic integrity violation, the University reserves the right to
award a letter grade or impose other sanctions as determined by the
instructor or Academic Review Panel even if the student has withdrawn
from the course, should proceedings by the instructor or the Academic
Review Panel conclude that such sanctions are appropriate. Where
applicable, a formal written notice will be sent to the Registrar's
Office so that the student's record can be adjusted.
An appeal by either party shall be made to:
Dr. Howard B. London, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Academic Affairs
Boyden Hall, Room 104
Phone: 508-531-1295
Hlondon@bridgew.edu
