Procedures for Adjudicating Allegations of Academic Integrity Violations

Initial Reporting of an Alleged Violation

A faculty or staff member who observes or is apprised a possible academic integrity violation by a student or group of students must report the incident on the Academic Integrity link.

1. Minimal Violations
   1. If a faculty or staff member wishes to adjudicate the matter, he or she will complete the academic integrity reporting form, indicating what he or she believes the alleged violation to be, along with evidence or a narrative supporting the claim and how the allegation was resolved.
      1. The faculty member must also notify the accused student in writing or by electronic communication that he or she is alleged to have committed a violation of academic integrity, that the matter has been referred to the Academic Integrity Committee, and that the student should expect to be contacted shortly by the Committee if follow up is required or if this incident advances the student to a substantial violation due to multiple violations. Following the referral, the Academic Integrity Committee assumes responsibility for any additional follow up.
         1. The Academic Integrity Committee will run a report to ensure this is the first violation of the student. If this is not the first violation and the alleged act moves the student to Substantial Violation, the Academic Integrity Committee will open an investigation and notify the student.
   2. If a faculty or staff member does not wish to adjudicate the matter, he or she will complete the academic integrity form, indicating what he or she believes the alleged violation to be and the evidence or narrative supporting the claim and requesting the Committee adjudicate the incident with the student.
      1. The faculty member must also notify the accused student in writing or by electronic communication that he or she is alleged to have committed a violation of academic integrity, that the matter has been referred to the Academic Integrity Committee, and that the student should expect to be contacted shortly by the Committee. Following the referral, the Academic Integrity Committee assumes responsibility for any additional follow up.
         1. The Academic Integrity Committee will run a report to ensure this is the first violation of the student. If this is not the first violation and the alleged act moves the student to Substantial Violation, the Academic Integrity Committee will open an investigation and notify the student.
2. Substantial Violations
   1. If a faculty or staff member believes a student has committed an alleged substantial violation of academic integrity, he or she is required to complete an academic integrity form, indicating what he or she believes the alleged violation to be and the evidence supporting the claim.
   2. The Faculty member must also notify the accused student in writing or by electronic communication that he or she is alleged to have committed a violation of academic integrity, that the matter has been referred to the Academic Integrity Committee, and that the student should expect to be contacted shortly by the Committee. Following the referral, the Academic Integrity Committee assumes responsibility for any additional follow-up.

Investigation of Alleged Academic Integrity

A faculty member or Academic Integrity Committee adjudicating an allegation of a first-time minimal violation of academic integrity must meet with the student unless the student elects not to meet with the faculty member or the Committee.

At the meeting, the faculty or Committee members will specify the alleged violation, discuss the typical range of sanctions for such violation and ask the student to respond to the allegation.

In addition to meeting with the accused student and carefully considering his or her response to the allegation, the faculty member or Committee members will investigate the matter and reach a decision by considering all available physical evidence and interviewing available witnesses. If the student does not respond within the prescribed time limit or chooses not to meet with the faculty member or the Committee, the faculty member or Academic Integrity Committee will reach a decision regarding responsibility and sanction, based on the available evidence, including any written response from the student. At the end of this process, the faculty member or Academic Integrity Committee will take one of the following actions:

1. If it is found that the student has not violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the faculty member or the Committee will notify the student in writing or by electronic communication within 10 working days after meeting the student. The matter will be considered closed.
2. If it is found that the student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the Committee will communicate the proposed sanctions in writing or by electronic communication within 10 working days after meeting the student. The notification will also inform the student of the opportunity to appeal the sanction following the College Grievance Process. The form will be placed in the student file.
3. If the sanction recommended for the violation is suspension from the student's academic program, the Committee will forward the recommendation and evidence on to the appropriate Dean. Following the referral from the Academic Integrity Committee, the Dean will assume final responsibility in regard to a student's removal from an academic program.
4. If the sanction recommended for the violation is suspension from Presentation College, the Committee will forward that recommendation and evidence on to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Following the referral from the Academic Integrity Committee, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will assume responsibility for final sanctions.