POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

SUMMARY

"Academic freedom is a fundamental right in any institution of higher learning. Honesty and integrity are necessary preconditions to this freedom. Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Joint efforts are legitimate only when the assistance of others is explicitly acknowledged. Ethical conduct is the obligation of every member of the university community and breaches of academic integrity constitute serious offenses" (Academic Integrity Policy, p. 1). The principles of academic integrity entail simple standards of honesty and truth. Each member of the university has a responsibility to uphold the standards of the community and to take action when others violate them. Faculty members have an obligation to educate students to the standards of academic integrity and to report violations of these standards to the appropriate deans. Students are responsible for knowing what the standards are and for adhering to them. Students should also bring any violations of which they are aware to the attention of their instructors.

Violations of Academic Integrity

Any involvement with cheating, the fabrication or invention of information used in an academic exercise, plagiarism, facilitating academic dishonesty of others, or denying others access to information or material may result in disciplinary action being taken at either the college or university level. Breaches of academic integrity can result in serious consequences ranging from reprimand to expulsion. Violations of academic integrity are classified into four categories based on the level of seriousness of the behaviors. Brief descriptions are provided below. This is a general description and is not to be considered as all-inclusive.
Level One Violations
These violations may occur because of ignorance or inexperience on the part of the person(s) committing the violation and ordinarily involve a very minor portion of the course work. Examples : Improper footnoting or unauthorized assistance on academic work. Recommended Sanctions : Makeup assignment at a more difficult level, or assignment of no-credit for work in question, or required attendance at a workshop on ethics.
Level Two Violations
Level two violations involve incidents of a more serious nature and affect a significant aspect or portion of the course. Examples : Quoting directly or paraphrasing without proper acknowledgment on a moderate portion of the assignment, failure to acknowledge all sources of information and contributors who helped with an assignment, or submission of the same work for more than one course without permission from the instructor. Recommended Sanctions : Probation, a failing grade on the assignment, or a failing grade in the course.
Level Three Violations
Level three offenses are even more serious in nature than level two violations and involve dishonesty on a significant portion of course work, such as a major paper, hourly, or final examination. Any violation that is premeditated or involves repeat offenses of level one or level two are considered level three violations. Examples : Copying from or giving others assistance on an hourly or final examination, plagiarizing major portions of an assignment, using forbidden material on an hourly or final, using a purchased term paper, presenting the work of another as one's own, altering a graded examination for the purposes of regrading. Recommended Sanctions : Suspension from the university for one or more terms with a notation of "academic disciplinary suspension" placed on a student's transcript for the period of suspension and a failing grade in the course.
Level Four Violations
Level four violations are the most serious breaches of academic integrity. They include repeat offenses of level three violations. Examples : Forgery of grade change forms, theft of examinations, having a substitute take an examination, dishonesty relating to senior thesis, master's thesis, or doctoral dissertation, sabotaging another's work, the violation of the ethical code of a profession, or all infractions committed after return from suspension for a previous violation. Recommended Sanctions : Expulsion from the university and a permanent notation on the student's transcript. Faculty who believe that violations have occurred should immediately contact the dean's office of the student's college/school. Students who suspect that other students are involved in actions of academic dishonesty should speak to the instructor of the course or the associate provost. The New Brunswick Committee on Academic Integrity monitors this policy. Questions concerning the policy can be addressed to faculty members, to the offices of the college or school deans, or to the associate provost for student affairs (908/932-7687). Copies of the complete policy are available at deans offices. The procedures followed and the due process rights afforded to students facing disciplinary charges are described in the University Student Disciplinary Hearing Procedure.