Academic Integrity Policy, Procedures, and Penalties

I.  Academic Integrity

Students and faculty at Anderson University are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. Just as academic honesty is vitally important to the value of a college education, academic dishonesty is a serious offense because it diminishes the quality of academic scholarship and defrauds other students, faculty, the institution, and society.

By enrolling at Anderson University, students agree to uphold the standards of academic honesty and integrity described in Anderson University’s Catalog. Students commit to refrain from all forms of academic dishonesty and, by their example, promote the ideals of honesty, responsibility, trust, fairness, and respect that are central to Anderson University’s mission and values.

Students are expected to adhere to the following honor code pledge in all academic activities. “In keeping with Anderson University’s ethical standards of academic integrity and institutional values guided by its Christian mission, on my honor, I pledge that I have not given, received, and/or witnessed any unauthorized assistance on this work.”

II. Assumptions of the Commitments and Behaviors of Community Members

1. A concern for the whole person, as is inherent in a Christian approach to higher education, and as espoused by the University, is foundational to its educational philosophy and recognizes academic dishonesty as the antithesis of this philosophy.
2. Anderson University encourages the imposition of strict penalties for academic dishonesty and does so in order to protect the integrity of the grading system and to affirm the importance of honesty, integrity, and accountability in the campus community.
3. Dishonesty in academic matters deceives and threatens not only the individual institution of higher education but also the larger society.
4. Students and faculty alike become concerned, alarmed, and justifiably outraged by acts of academic dishonesty and other forms of academic misconduct.
5. Apparent tolerance of academic dishonesty may encourage cheating, plagiarism, and fraud.

III. Definitions

It should be inherent that improper and/or illegal uses of information technology, including the internet and its sources, fall within the forms of academic dishonesty cited below.

The term “examination” includes, but is not limited to, all materials that are “formal written, spoken or practical test[s]” that determine students’ knowledge and understanding of a subject area (Oxford Dictionaries) (e.g., examinations, tests, quizzes, music juries).

A. Plagiarism:

The presentation of someone else’s words, ideas, or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data belonging to or produced by others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and discipline-specific documentation. By placing his/her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Students can avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is an acknowledgment of indebtedness when

• quoting a source’s actual words;
• using other sources’ ideas, opinions, or theories, even paraphrased;
• borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials, unless the information is common knowledge.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Complete Direct Plagiarism: taking another person’s complete document and submitting it as one’s own original work, without appropriate acknowledgment;
2. Self-Plagiarism or Copying One’s Own Work: reusing work from another assignment that already has or will receive credit, without permission of the instructor. In academia, students are expected to produce original work that demonstrates their intellectual development;
3. Data Fabrication and Falsification: intentionally inventing or creating false data or research to support a claim. Falsification occurs when a writer changes or omits data to alter the impression of the reader;
4. Partial Direct Plagiarism: copying word-for-word sections of text from another writer without attributing the work as determined by the writer’s discipline-specific documentation conventions (e.g., MLA, APA, Turabian);
5. Paraphrased Plagiarism: intentionally taking information from another source and making only minor changes to the wording and sentence structure;
6. Unintentionally Incorrect Citation: inaccurate, incomplete, and/or omitted citations; improper paraphrasing; and/or the incorrect use of quotation marks. This type of plagiarism may arise from a lack of knowledge or understanding of discipline-specific documentation conventions.

B. Fabrication:

The intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Citation of information not taken from the source indicated;
2. Listing sources in a bibliography, reference, or works-cited page not used in the academic assignment.
3. Inventing data or source information for research or other academic work;
4. Submitting as one’s own work any academic exercise (e.g., written work, electronic document, sculpture, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another, including purchased work;
5. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take an examination in one’s place.

C. Cheating:

An act of deception by which a student misrepresents or attempts to misrepresent that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Copying from another student’s examination;
2. Allowing another student to copy from an examination;
3. Sharing examination content with others, verbally, in writing, or via visual medium or recording;
4. Allowing another to complete, partially or entirely, any work to be submitted for a grade;
5. Posting, accessing, or using work from another student made available on unapproved websites or digital platforms;
6. Using the course textbook or other material such as a notebook brought to a class meeting but not authorized for use during an examination;
7. Collaborating during an examination with any other person by providing or receiving information without authorization;
8. Using unauthorized prepared materials during an examination (e.g., formula lists, notes written on the student’s clothing, etc.);
9. Using electronic devices of any type to access any of the above information or facilitate the above communications.

D. Academic Misconduct:

The intentional violation of Anderson University policies by tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an administered or unadministered examination or other restricted educational materials, whether from Anderson University or other institutions.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Destroying or defacing academic property or materials;
2. Removing or possessing library materials, examinations, software, etc., without permission;
3. Stealing, buying, photographing, recording, or otherwise obtaining all or part of an administered or unadministered examination or any other material produced by faculty;
4. Selling, sharing, or giving away all or part of an administered or unadministered examination including answers to an unadministered examination;
5. Bribing any other person to obtain an administered or unadministered examination or any information about an examination;
6. Entering a building or office for the purpose of obtaining an administered or unadministered examination;
7. Entering a building or office for the purpose of changing a grade in a grade book on an examination or other work for which a grade is given;
8. Changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book; Learning Management System; on an examination or other work; a “change of grade” form; or other official academic records of the university which relate to grades;
9. Granting and/or posting a grade that is not earned;
10. Submitting a false excuse for absences;
11. Possessing another’s academic work or materials without that individual’s permission.

E. Misrepresentation of Identity:

The intentional use of someone else’s identity, or reliance on someone else to falsely establish attendance or participation in a curricular or co-curricular degree requirement.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

1. Attending class for another individual, signing for another to record attendance, or claiming attendance for another who is not present;
2. Asking another individual to sign for or respond as present for another to record attendance, when the student is not present;
3. Submitting someone else’s ID, digital device, or app to be scanned to record attendance or participation at a curricular or co-curricular event they did not attend;
4. Asking another individual to submit a student’s ID, digital device, or app to be scanned to record attendance or participation at a curricular or co-curricular event the student did not attend;
5. Submitting another individual’s documented excuse for absences.

IV. Procedures

 Individual faculty members have the responsibility for determining the appropriate action, within the guidelines provided below, to be taken in cases of academic dishonesty by students enrolled in their courses. Acts of academic dishonesty are never to be ignored or overlooked for any reason. However, reporting instances of unintentional incorrect citation (See Section III. A. 6.) are at the discretion of the instructor.

Once detected by the faculty member, circumstances relating to an alleged or confirmed violation of academic honesty must be communicated to the Office of the Provost.

V. Penalties for Instances of Academic Dishonesty

First Offense

A student guilty of a first offense of academic dishonesty within a course will receive as a maximum penalty a grade of “0” (zero, no credit) for the assignment or assessment. Lesser penalties will be left to the discretion of the instructor.

In addition to the penalty assessed by the instructor, the student will receive a written notice from the Office of the Provost that he/she must complete an educational remediation assignment.

Depending upon the severity, breadth, and intent of the infraction additional penalties may be administered at the discretion of the Office of the Provost in consultation with the appropriate Academic Dean. Additional penalties may include probation, suspension, or expulsion from the university.

Assigning a penalty for an instance of unintentional incorrect citation (See Section III, A. 6.) is at the discretion of the instructor. If a penalty is assigned, it may involve a lesser penalty such as a point or letter grade reduction. 

Second Offense

A student guilty of a second offense of academic dishonesty, in addition to penalties determined by the instructor, will be placed on Academic Integrity Probation by the Office of the Provost.  Depending upon the severity, breadth, and intent of the infraction, the student may face suspension or expulsion from the university. Such action will be determined by the Office of the Provost in consultation with the appropriate Academic Dean.

Subsequent Offense

A student guilty of a subsequent offense of academic dishonesty, in addition to penalties determined by the instructor, may be suspended or expelled from the university.  Such action will be determined by the Office of the Provost in consultation with the appropriate Academic Dean.

VI. Definitions of Academic Integrity Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion.

1. Academic Integrity Probation: A written reprimand for violation of specified academic integrity policies. Probation is for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe sanctions if the student is found to violate any institutional regulation(s) during the probationary period. Probationary status may affect participation in student organizations and intercollegiate athletics, financial aid eligibility, and transfer to another institution.
2. Academic Integrity Suspension: The separation of the student from the university for a finite period of time for violating academic integrity policies, after which the student may be eligible to return. Conditions for readmission will be specified.
3. Academic Integrity Expulsion: Permanent termination of student status for violating academic integrity policies. The student is not eligible to return to Anderson University.

VII. The Appeal Process

Appealing the Decision or Penalty Imposed by a Course Instructor

1. A student may appeal an instructor’s decision/penalty if
   • the student believes there are extenuating circumstances that warrant a reconsideration of the decision;
   • the student believes he/she has been treated unfairly or arbitrarily, or the penalty is not in keeping with this policy;
   • the stated process for alleging, reporting, and determining responsibility and penalties were not followed.

Such appeals are generally submitted to, and decided by, the Dean or Associate Dean of the College/School responsible for the course. The specific procedures for submitting an appeal are available from the Provost’s Office and are provided to the student at the time of the initial sanction. The decision by the Dean or Associate Dean will be final.

Appealing the Decision or Penalty Imposed by the Office of the Provost

1. A student may appeal the penalty imposed by the Office of the Provost regarding probation, suspension, or expulsion if
   • the student believes there are extenuating circumstances that warrant a reconsideration of the decision;
   • the student believes he/she has been treated unfairly or arbitrarily, or the penalty is not in keeping with this policy;
   • the stated process for alleging, reporting, and determining responsibility and penalties was not followed.

Such appeals are generally submitted to, and decided by, an Academic Appeals Committee. The specific procedures for submitting an appeal are available from the Provost’s Office and are provided to the student at the time the student is notified of the sanction. The decision by the Academic Appeals Committee will be final.

VIII. Student Responsibilities

 Students can promote an environment of academic integrity by observing the following guidelines:

1. Discourage dishonesty among other students.
2. Refuse to assist students who cheat.
3. Check the course syllabus as well as the course’s learning management system for a section dealing with academic dishonesty for that course. There may be special requirements. If there is no written section in the syllabus, ask the instructor what his/her expectations are.
4. Be clear on instructor expectations regarding what is and is not permissible for collaborative assignments.
5. Make every effort to ensure that all work submitted is original and not influenced by the ideas of others.
6. Use a discipline-specific handbook for instruction on citing source materials. Consult with individual faculty or academic departments when in doubt.
7. Use information technology sources as directed by professors.
8. Do not loan work to other students to be referenced as examples.
9. Do not lend work or assignments that have been evaluated to other students.
10. Prepare thoroughly for examinations and assignments.
11. Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying from an examination by shielding the answer sheet during examinations.
12. Do not look in the direction of other students’ examinations during examinations.
13. Report to the instructor any instances of academic dishonesty.