Student Academic Misconduct Policy
Responsible Administrator: Vice
President for Student Life
Responsible Offices: Offices
of the Vice President for Student Life and Student Conduct
Originally Issued: December
9, 2005
Print or download a copy
of this policy (PDF)
Download the Alleged Academic
Misconduct Report Form (Word doc)
View or download Appendix
A: Alleged Academic Misconduct Report (PDF)
Statement of Purpose
UNLV is first and foremost an academic community, with its fundamental
purpose the pursuit of learning and student development. UNLV
believes that any instance of academic misconduct hurts the entire
community, and that the values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness,
responsibility and professionalism are paramount. Therefore,
to uphold and support standards of personal honesty and integrity
for all members of the campus community consistent with the goals
of a community of scholars and students seeking knowledge, it
will be the policy of UNLV to enforce these standards through
fair and objective procedures governing instances of alleged
student academic misconduct.
Entities Affected by This Policy
All academic units, libraries, and / or units with teaching
and research faculty.
Who Should Read This Policy
Administrators, academic faculty,
staff and students who would be affected by this policy.
Policy
I. Expectations
Academic integrity is a legitimate concern for every member
of the campus community; all share in upholding the fundamental
values of honesty, trust, respect, fairness, responsibility and
professionalism. By choosing to join the UNLV community, students
accept the expectations of the Academic Misconduct Policy and
are encouraged when faced with choices to always take the ethical
path. Students enrolling in UNLV assume the obligation to conduct
themselves in a manner compatible with UNLV's function
as an educational institution.
- Honesty
Honesty is the foundation of
teaching, learning, research and service; and the prerequisite
for full realization of trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
Students and faculty alike must be honest with themselves and
others.
- Trust
The UNLV community fosters a
climate of mutual trust, encourages the free exchange of ideas,
and enables all to reach their highest potential. Only with trust
can the public at large believe in the social value and meaning
of an institution's scholarship and degrees.
- Fairness
We strive to establish clear
standards, practices, and procedures and expect fairness in the
interactions of students, faculty and administrators. Important
components of fairness are predictability, clear expectations
and a consistent and just response to dishonesty.
- Respect
As an academic community of integrity,
we recognize the participatory nature of the learning process
and honor and respect a wide range of opinions and ideas. Students
and faculty must respect themselves and each other as individuals.
All must show respect for the work of others by acknowledging
their intellectual debts.
- Responsibility
Every member of an academic
community – each
student, faculty member and administrator – is responsible
for upholding the integrity of scholarship and research. Individuals
must take responsibility for their own honesty and must discourage
and seek to prevent misconduct by others.
- Professionalism
Because students are aspiring
professionals, our community expects them to exercise professional
conduct during their career as students and uphold the core value
of academic integrity.
II.
Academic Misconduct Violations – Definitions
Academic Misconduct is defined as any of the following:
- Using
the words or ideas of another, from the internet or any source,
without proper citation of the sources, commonly called plagiarism.
- Receiving
external assistance during an examination or any academic exercise
for credit unless expressly permitted by the instructor. This
includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing
or receiving aid not permitted by the instructor in connection
with any academic assignment;
- Unauthorized
use or possession of camera telephones, text messages, computer
disks, audio recorders, calculators, solution materials, photocopies,
materials from previous classes, commercial research services,
notes or other means to copy or photograph materials used or
intended for academic evaluation not authorized by the instructor
for use during the academic evaluation or assignment;
- Communication
in any manner with another student not permitted by the instructor
during an examination;
- Working with
others on graded coursework, including in-class and take-home
examinations, unless expressly permitted by the instructor;
or
- Possessing,
reading, buying, selling or using any materials intended for
an academic evaluation or assignment in advance of its administration
without the knowledge and consent of the instructor.
- Turning
in the same work in more than one class (or when repeating
a class), unless permission is received in advance from
the instructor.
- Falsifying
information for inclusion in an assigned paper, project or
exercise; including inventing or altering data from a laboratory
or field project, or creating fictional citations for a paper.
- Attempting
to influence or change any academic evaluation, assignment
or academic records for reasons having no relevance to academic
achievement. This includes, but is not limited to, bribery,
threats and making unauthorized changes to any academic record.
- Falsifying
or misrepresenting hours or activities in relationship to an
internship, externship, field experience, clinical activity
or similar activity.
- Acting
or attempting to act as a substitute for another, or using
or attempting to use a substitute, in any academic evaluation
or assignment.
- Facilitating, permitting or tolerating any of
the above-listed items.
III. Procedures
for Handling Student Academic Misconduct
These procedures are designed to encourage a fair and appropriate
response to allegations of student academic misconduct. They
may be modified in individual cases, so long as the student agrees
to the proposed modifications, is provided an opportunity to
respond to allegations of academic misconduct within a reasonable
time after the allegations have been made, and the modifications
do not violate fair process.
- Anyone
with a good faith basis for believing a student has violated
this policy may report the alleged violation to the responsible
instructor, chair / director, dean or appropriate designee
within the academic unit. The person who pursues the allegation
may be the responsible instructor or a designee appointed
by the supervisor of the academic unit in which the course
is located. It is expected that appropriate review and consultation
with a supervisor and / or chair / director is a part of
this process.
- A
faculty member or primary course instructor who suspects that
a student has committed an act of academic misconduct shall
notify the student and offer the student an opportunity for
an initial meeting to discuss the allegation and to present
any relevant information. When possible, this initial meeting
shall occur within seven (7) calendar days of discovery of
the alleged violation.
- Proceedings
in case discussions are informal and non-adversarial. The responsible
instructor / designee may make a verbal agreement on, or provide
the student with a written or electronic notice of, a scheduled
meeting. The responsible instructor / designee may request
a witness to be present for this meeting. In compelling circumstances,
this initial meeting may also be referred to the appropriate
Office of Student Conduct (OSC) officer or designee. This option
shall occur only after consultation with OSC.
- The
purpose of this initial meeting will be to review and discuss
the charges before a decision is reached. The responsible instructor
/ designee may use documentary evidence, provided the student
is allowed to respond to it at the meeting. At the sole discretion
of the responsible instructor / designee, a student may bring
relevant witnesses and / or an advisor. Neither the responsible
instructor / designee nor the student may have legal counsel
as their advisor at an initial meeting. An advisor is not permitted
to participate directly or speak for the student, but only
may be present during initial meetings or any subsequent university
hearings.
- At
this initial meeting, the following results may occur:
- The allegations
are dismissed.
- The student
accepts responsibility for the violation and accepts the academic
sanction(s).
- The responsible
instructor / designee believes a violation occurred with the
student not admitting responsibility and requesting a hearing.
- The
student accepts responsibility for the violation but
does not accept the academic sanction(s) and requests a
hearing.
- In
any of the above circumstances, the "UNLV Alleged Academic
Misconduct Report" form (see Appendix A) should be completed
with a signed copy being provided to the student. Authority and
jurisdiction for actual determination of academic misconduct
and appropriate academic sanctions are with the primary instructor
of the class and / or assignment in accordance with the academic
unit chair's / director's / supervisor's
approval. If the responsible instructor / designee facilitating
the initial meeting is not the primary instructor, appropriate
communication regarding such sanctions is necessary before
signing the UNLV Alleged Academic Misconduct Report form.
- Upon
completion of this initial meeting, if the responsible instructor
/ designee believes academic misconduct has occurred at any
level, he
or she shall notify the Office of Student Conduct (OSC) for
resolution of a UNLV Student Conduct Code violation. Notification
to OSC shall include a copy of the signed UNLV Alleged Academic
Misconduct Report form and copies of any relevant documentation
used in determining the violation.
- OSC
will notify the charged student per notification procedures
specified in the UNLV Student Conduct Code, which can be found
at www.unlv.edu/studentlife/judicial/. The student will be
informed of his or her applicable rights and the process(es)
for accepting the academic and judicial sanctions and / or
appealing the academic decision and sanctions.
- If
the student does not attend the initial meeting, the instructor
shall forward the charge to the Office of Student Conduct.
IV. Hearing
and Appeal Procedures for Academic Misconduct
- In
any case where a student requests a hearing beyond the initial
meeting, it shall occur in the following order:
- The student
shall file the appeal of the decision and any sanctions
to the chair / director / designee of the academic department
/ unit in which the alleged academic misconduct occurred.
This appeal must be filed within ten (10) college working
days of the student's receipt of the findings
of the initial meeting. The chair / director / designee
shall render a decision within ten (10) college working
days of the receipt of the appeal, sending their findings
to the student, instructor, department / unit and Office
of Student Conduct.
- If the student wishes to appeal the
findings of the chair / director / designee, he / she must
file the appeal of the decision and any sanctions to the
UNLV Academic Integrity Appeal Board. This appeal must
be filed within ten (10) college working days of the student’s
receipt of the chair / director / designee findings. Appeals
will be delivered to the Faculty Senate Office. The Academic
Integrity Appeal Board will meet and render a decision
within ten (10) college working days of the receipt of
the appeal, sending their decision to the student, instructor,
department / unit and Office of Student Conduct. The decision
of the Academic Integrity Appeal Board will serve as the
final place of appeal, and may allow witnesses from each
party.
- In cases involving suspension or expulsion, the Academic
Integrity Appeal Board’s decision shall constitute
a recommendation to the President, who shall have final authority.
- A
student alleged to have committed academic misconduct is
not permitted to drop the class in question before the matter
is resolved without the responsible instructor's expressed
permission, and may not be permitted to do so if dropping
the class would negate the academic sanction.
V. Confidentiality
of Records
All records in relation to a student misconduct
case will be maintained in accordance with the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 and the U.S. Department
of Education guidelines for implementation. Transcripts of
academic records shall contain information about academic status,
including disqualification for academic or conduct reasons, and
expulsion, suspension and revocation of admission for disciplinary
reasons. Information from student records will not be made available
to persons on or off campus, except as provided for by FERPA.
The University's
complete FERPA policy is located in the Office of Vice President
for Student Life.
VI. Sanctions
for Academic Misconduct
Potential sanctions for academic misconduct may include, but
are not limited to, any one of the sanctions listed below singularly
or in combination with each other:
- Academic
Sanctions
- Resubmitting
an assignment
- Reduction
of points / letter grade for the assignment
- Dropping
a class
- Reduction
of points / letter grade for class
- Failing
grade for assignment
- Failing
grade for class
NOTE: Each
of the above may be agreed upon at the initial meeting.
- Conduct Sanctions
- Transcript
notation (approved by Dean / Director of Health and Human
Sciences)
- Academic Integrity Seminar
- Reflection
letter of understanding
- Disciplinary
warning or probation
- Removal
from program, school or college (approved by Dean / Director
of Health and Human Sciences)
- Suspension
- Expulsion
- Withdrawal
of credit for previously accepted course or requirement
- Revocation
of a degree or certificate
- Referral
to the appropriate legal authorities
VII. General Points
- All time limits specified in this policy should be extended
for good cause.
- This policy is not intended to address differences
of opinion over grades issued by an instructor exercising
good faith and professional judgment regarding a student's
work.
- Before any action is taken under this policy that may
result in the withdrawal, suspension or expulsion of an international
student; both the student and the academic program are advised
to consult with the UNLV Office of International Students
and Scholars.
VIII. Academic Integrity Appeal Board
- The Academic Integrity Appeal Board members will come from
a variety of areas on campus and will serve a two-year term,
with the exception of the members from the UNLV Faculty Senate
Academic Standards Committee. To create the overall campus-wide
pool of Academic Integrity Appeal Board members:
- The faculty
of each College / School shall designate:
- Each Dean's
Office / Director's of Health and Human Services Office
shall designate:
- Two (2) administrators / professional staff
- Two (2)
undergraduate students
- Two (2) graduate students
- In
addition, the following will be members of the pool:
- All
members of the UNLV Faculty Senate Academic Standards
Committee, during their term on the Committee (see
VIII.B. below)
- When
an appeal of an academic misconduct case is forwarded
to the Academic Integrity Appeal Board, the hearing
panel for each case will consist of the following,
drawn from the pool:
- Two (2) faculty
- One (1) student (undergraduate or graduate,
as appropriate to the hearing)
- One (1) administrator / professional
staff member
- One (1) member of the UNLV Faculty Senate Academic Standards
Committee, who will serve as Chair of the Board
- Any
member of the Academic Integrity Appeal Board pool may serve
on a hearing panel unless there are compelling academic discipline
issues to be addressed at such hearing. In such cases, specifically
designated pool members may be assigned from the college
/ school in which the alleged academic misconduct occurred.
All efforts to eliminate or avoid conflict of interest
and bias will be given in each case.
- Before
serving on an Academic Integrity Appeal Board hearing, members
shall complete an orientation and training on academic integrity
and misconduct.
- Recruitment,
training and facilitation of the Academic Integrity Appeal
Board will be the responsibility of the Office of Student Conduct,
in collaboration with the UNLV Faculty Senate; and with appropriate
authority and jurisdiction being afforded to university designees
as dictated in the NSHE and UNLV Student Conduct Codes.
IX. Transcript
Notation for Academic Misconduct
- In
instances where it is determined that the academic misconduct
is of both an intentional and egregious nature, the conduct
sanction shall be recorded on the student's official
and unofficial transcript with a transcript notation. The transcript
of the student shall be marked "Disciplinary Notation
due to Academic Dishonesty in (class) during (semester)." The
transcript notation shall occur only upon completion of the
student conduct proceedings. The conduct sanction notation
shall not affect the grade point average, course repeatability
or determination of academic standing. This conduct sanction
notation is intended to denote a failure to accept and exhibit
the fundamental value of academic honesty.
- Once
a conduct sanction notation is made, the student may file
a written petition to the Academic Integrity Appeal Board to
have the notation removed. The decision to remove the conduct
sanction notation shall rest in the discretion and judgment
of a majority of a quorum of the Board; provided that:
- At the
time the petition is received, at least 180 calendar
days shall have elapsed since the conduct sanction notation
was recorded; and,
- At the time
the petition is received, the student shall have successfully
completed the designated non-credit Academic Integrity Seminar,
as administered by the Office of Student Conduct; or, for the
person no longer enrolled at the University, an equivalent
activity as determined by the Office of Student Conduct;
and,
- The Office
of Student Conduct certifies that to the best of its knowledge
the student has not been found responsible for any other act
of academic misconduct or similar disciplinary offense at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas or another institution.
- Prior
to deciding a petition, the Academic Integrity Appeal Board
will review the record of the case and consult with the
Office of Student Conduct and responsible instructor
or appropriate chair / director / supervisor. The decision
of the Appeal Board shall not be subject to subsequent
Appeal Board reconsideration for at least 180 calendar
days, unless the Appeal Board specifies an earlier date
on which the petition may be reconsidered. Subsequent
Appeal Board determinations pertaining to the removal of the
conduct sanction notation may be appealed to the Vice President
for Student Life. If the Vice President removes the conduct
sanction notation from the student's transcript,
the Vice President shall provide a written rationale
to the Appeal Board.
- No
student with a student conduct notation on the student’s
transcript shall be permitted to represent the University in
any extracurricular activity, or run for or hold an executive
office in any student organization which is allowed to use University
facilities, or which receives University funds.
Related
Documents
University,
College / School, and Department / Unit Bylaws; Board of Regents' Handbook;
Nevada Administrative Code; and Nevada Revised Statutes, UNLV
Student Conduct Code.
Contacts
Office of the Vice President for Student Life
Flora Dungan Humanities
Building • FDH-330
(702) 895-3656 / FAX (702) 895-1545
http://studentlife.unlv.edu
Print or download a copy
of this policy (PDF)
Download the Alleged
Academic Misconduct Report Form (Word doc)
View or download Appendix A: Alleged
Academic Misconduct Report (PDF)
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