PART III.ACADEMIC POLICIES
Section 1.AcademicDishonestybyStudents
- Definitions:
i)Academicdishonestyincludesallformsofunethicalorillegalbehavior which affects a student’s academicstanding, including, but not limited to,cheatingonexams,plagiarism,forgery ofacademicdocuments, falsificationofinformationonacademic documents, or unauthorized access to computer files containingacademicinformation.
ii)Plagiarism is a special kind of cheating which often is poorly understood.In keeping with American Association of University Professors statement, plagiarism, intentional or not, is defined in the following way: presenting as one’s own the ideas, methods, or written words of another, without acknowledging the original author or source. Other author’s ideas, interpretations, and words are their personal and legal property. In the event that one wishes to use such material, one is required to give full credit to the original source. This also includes material that is paraphrased from another source or person.
Plagiarismmaybeavoidedbyacknowledging,throughsomestandard procedure,thesourcesfortheideasandinterpretationsaswellasquoted phrases,sentences,orparagraphs.Nomatterthesourceofmaterialused, whetherquoted or paraphrased,acknowledgmentof the source is required. Failureto give creditis plagiarism.
- PolicyStatement on AcademicDishonestybyStudents
i)Honestyinacademicmattersmustbeofvitalconcerntoallmembersof theCollegecommunity.Academicfraudunderminesoureverypurpose, for,inlearning, dishonestmethodsalwaysproduce hollow accomplishments.
ii)The facultyhas adirectresponsibilityfor honestyin alllearningendeavors.Thisresponsibility focusesuponhelpingeachstudent developamatureacademicintegrity.Forexample,discussing the researchmoresfor a given fieldandgenuine displaysof intellectual honestyareinvaluableindefiningacademicintegrityattheCollege level.
iii)Sometimesstudentsdisobeythefundamentalrulesby cheatingon exams,stealingworkfrompeers,submittingspuriouspapers,andsimilar actions.Facultyshouldfacetheseinfractionsinadeliberatemannerthat recognizesthegravity oftheinfractionandencouragesthestudent towards honesty. In suchinstances, thestudentisnothelpedby pretendingtheincidentdidnotoccur,byembarrassmentoverjuvenile behavior,orbyangryindignation.Rather,thestudentandcommunityare bestservedby agatheringandweighingofevidence,acalm confrontationwiththoseinvolved,sensitivity towardunusual circumstances,andanawareness of the right of the accused to the due process offered bythe AcademicStandards Committee.
- Procedures for Handling Allegations of Academic Dishonesty
i)Introduction
1)To Whom AcademicDishonestyConcerns areAddressed
TheProvost(hereafterreferredtoasthe“Vice President”) andthe AcademicStandardsCommittee(hereafterreferredtoasthe“ASC”) areresponsiblefor promoting academichonesty,supporting the facultyintheirattemptstodealwithdishonesty intheclassroom, enforcingtheprovisionsofthePolicy StatementonAcademic DishonestybyStudents,andactingonviolationsofthatPolicy.The Vice-ChairoftheASCorhis/herdesignee(hereafterreferredto collectivelyas“Vice-Chair”),willserveastheprimaryagentforthe VicePresidentandtheASCininitiating actionspursuanttothese responsibilities.
2)Role of Faculty
Thefacultybearsprimaryresponsibilityfordetectingandpenalizing academicdishonesty. WhenanInstructor suspectsdishonesty, he/sheshouldgatheralltherelevantevidenceandmakeareasonable attempttocontactandinterviewthestudentsinvolved. If the preponderanceofevidencesuggeststhatdishonestyhasoccurred,the Instructormaylevyanacademicpenalty.Anacademicpenaltymay rangefromasimplereprimand,throughaloweredorfailing grade ontheassignment,upto,andincluding,failing thecourse,asthe Instructordeemsappropriate. Upon assessmentof anacademic penalty,theInstructorshouldsenda memorandumtotheVice President,ordesignee,describing theoffense,outlining theaction he/shetooktoinvestigate,anddetailingthepenalty(ifany)assessed againstthestudent(s). Copiesofalltherelevantevidenceshould accompanythememorandum.Thismaterialwillbeincludedinthe filedescribedbelow. If, inthe judgmentof the Instructor,the dishonestactmaybeseriousenoughtowarrantadditionalpenalties beyondthatwhichanInstructorcanassign(such as the sanctions outlinedinSubsectiond.,“Sanctions”below),he/shemay request reviewbythe ASC.
3)Role ofAcademicCommunity
Othermembersoftheacademiccommunitymayalsorefersuspected casesofdishonestytotheProvostordesignee. TheseallegationswillbeinvestigatedbytheVice-ChairandpenaltiesassignedbytheASC.
4)Filingof Documentation
Apermanentfileofcasesofacademicdishonesty(hereafterreferred toasthe“File”)ismaintainedintheOffice oftheVice President. Facultymembersarestrongly encouragedtosubmittotheFileall documentedcasesofdishonestyinvolvingstudentsintheirclasses. Thestudentwillbenotifiedbycertifiedmailofanycaseofacademic dishonesty thatisreferredtotheVicePresidentordesignee. This letterwillincludethenameoftheInstructorandthecourseinwhich thedishonestyoccurred. Acopyoftheseprocedures(Section1, “AcademicDishonestybyStudents”) will beattached.Thestudent has30daysfromthepostmarkeddateof thisletter todisputethe allegationsofacademicdishonesty.Iftheallegationsareundisputed oriftheallegationsareunsuccessfullydisputed,within30dayss/he mustscheduleanappointmentwiththeVicePresidentordesigneeto discussthe seriousnessof thecharge. (The 30dayswillbe calculatedfromthepostmarkeddateonthecertifiedletterfromthe ASCVicePresidentordesignee.Failuretocomplywillresultin(a) anacademicholdtopreventreleaseofthestudenttranscriptand(b) referraltotheCoordinatorofJudicialAffairsordesignee.TheFileis confidential,andisaccessibleonlytotheVicePresidentordesignee, theVice-ChairoftheASCortheirdesignees. Thematerial is also accessibletothestudent,thoughany referencetootherstudent(s) willberedactedtoprotecttheirprivacy.ThepurposeoftheFileisto allowtheVice-Chairaccesstoevidenceincasethe student wishes todisputetheallegations(Paragraphii),“Procedure if Student Disputes Allegation ofDishonesty”below)andtoinitiateactionin thecaseofsecondoffenses(Paragraphiii),“Procedure toAssess FurtherPenalties”below).Whenstudentsgraduate,materialinthe Filewillbesealedandmarked“Confidential—NotToBe Opened Except Upon Request of Legal Counsel”.(Revised Mar 5, 2007)
ii)Procedureif Student Disputes Allegation of Dishonesty
Toensuredueprocessfor studentsaccusedof,and/orpenalizedfor, academicdishonesty,thefollowing procedurewillbefollowedifthe student chooses to disputethe allegation.
1)Continued Class Participation
Thestudentwillbeallowedto continuetoattendandparticipatein class pendingresolution
2)Review File
TheVice-Chair will immediatelyreview allmaterials submitted to theFileby theInstructor. TheVice-Chairmaycontactthefacultymember for additional information if necessary.
3)Presentation of Charges
TheVice-Chairwillpresentthewrittenchargesandtheevidenceon whichthey werebasedtothestudentinperson,atwhichtimethe processwillbeexplainedandpossibleoutcomesdiscussed.Atthis time, thestudent mayplace additional information in the File.
4)Meetingof theAcademicStandards Committee
TheVice-Chairwillconveneameeting oftheASCtohearthe student’scaseandreviewtheevidence.Thestudentwillbenotified by certifiedmailofthetimeandplaceofthemeeting. The schedulingofthemeetingwillbedesignedtoallowatleastseven(7) calendardaysfromthedateofthefirstattempteddelivery ofthe letterforthestudenttoprepare for thehearing,unlessthestudent waivesthisright.Ifthehearingdate wouldfallbetweenregularly scheduledterms,itwillbedelayeduntilthebeginning ofthenext term, unless thestudent requestsan earlierhearingtime.
1)Failureto Appear
Failurebythestudenttoappearforthescheduledhearingbeforethe AcademicStandardsCommitteewillresultinactionby the AcademicStandardsCommitteebasedontheevidenceavailablein the File.
1)HearingProtocol
Inthehearing,thestudentwillhavetheopportunity topresent witnessesandevidenceinhis/herbehalfandtohear andquestion thosepresentingevidenceortestimonysupportingthecharges.The meetingwillbeclosedtothepublic,withtheexceptionofwitnesses who arecalled in bythe Vice-Chair orthe student.
7)Recording of Meeting
Themeetingwillbetape-recordedandastaffsecretary willtake notes.
8)Rules ofHearing
Conformitytotechnicalrulesofjudicialprocedure isnot required. TheCommitteemaymakeany proceduralrulingsnecessary to expeditethe hearing, to exclude unreliable orprejudicial evidence, andtosafeguardtheconfidentialityofstatementsandevidencegiven atthehearing. TheVice-Chairwillexplaintheprocedurestobe followedandpurposesofthehearingatthebeginning ofthe meeting.
1)Possible Attendees:
Thestudentmay haveanadvisorpresentofhis/herchoice.This advisormayconsultwiththestudentbutmaynottakeany other active role in the proceedings.
2)Failureto Complywith Procedures/Rulings
TheVice-Chairmayexpelfromthehearinganypersonwhorefuses tocomply withtheproceduresorrulingsoftheVice-Chair, includingthe student.
3)Evaluation and Recommendation
Followingthereviewoftheevidenceandhearingthewitnesses,the studentwillleave.TheASCwillevaluatetheevidenceanddecide, bymajorityvoteofthosepresent,whethertheevidencesupportsor failstosupporttheallegations.TheVice-Chairshallnotparticipate inthehearing asavoting memberoftheCommittee,but all other memberspresentmustvote“yea”or“nay.”Ifthepreponderanceof theevidencesupportstheallegationsofdishonesty,the ASCwill upholdthechargesandpenalties.Iftheevidence appears inconclusive,theASCwillrecommenddismissalofthechargesand penalties. TheASCcannotcompeltheInstructortochangeany penaltyhe/shemay haveassessed;itcanonlyrecommendsuch changes.
4)Communication ofDecision
ThedecisionoftheASCwillbecommunicatedinwriting tothe student and facultymember within seven (7)days.
5)Student Appeal
Withinseven(7)daysofreceiptofthedecisionor ten(10) days aftermailing,whicheverislonger,thestudentmay appealthe decisionoftheCommittee totheVice Presidentordesignee (see Subsectione,“ProcedureforStudentAppealoftheDecisionbythe ASC”).
iii)Procedureto assess further penalties
If the facultymember has recommended ASCreview, or in the caseof repeated offenses, theASCmayinitiate apenaltyhearingas follows.
1)InitiateaHearing
TheVice-Chairwillinitiateahearingasdescribedinparagraphii), “ProcedureifStudentDisputesAllegationofDishonesty”above,to determinethe validityof the charges.
2)First Offense
Inthecaseofafirstoffense,iftheallegationsare supported,the memberspresentmustdecide,bymajorityvote,iftheoffenseisseriousenoughtowarrantfurther penalty. If so,theASCmay imposeoneofthesanctionsdescribedbelow(Subsection d, “Sanctions”).
3)Repeated Offense
Inthecaseofarepeatedoffense,iftheallegationsaresupported,the ASCwillimposeoneofthesanctionsdescribedbelow(Subsection d, “Sanctions”).
4)Communication ofDecision
ThedecisionoftheASCwillbecommunicatedinwriting tothe student within seven (7)days.
5)Student Appeal
Withinseven(7)daysofreceiptofthedecision,orten(10) days aftermailing,whicheverislonger,thestudentmay appealthe decisionoftheCommitteetotheVicePresidentor designee (see Subsectione,“ProcedureforStudentAppealoftheDecisionbythe ASC”below).
- Sanctions
i)Probation: the postponement of a major sanction (suspension or dismissal) based on the student’s meeting certain conditions specified in the letter. If the student does not meet the conditions of the probation or is found to have participated in another act of academic dishonesty, the Vice President or designee may summarily impose the postponed sanction.
ii)Suspension:theinvoluntary separationofthestudentfromFortLewis Collegeforaperiodnotlessthantheremainderofthecurrenttrimester normorethantwocalendaryears.ReadmissiontoFortLewisCollegeis notautomatic. At the expiration of the suspension period, the student mustcontactthe Office of Admissiontodetermine the procedure for readmissiontotheCollege. Thepermanent record of a student suspendedforacademicdishonesty shallincludethenotation “Suspended for Academic Dishonesty” and include the duration of the suspension.
iii)Dismissal:Theinvoluntarypermanentseparationofthestudentfrom FortLewisCollege. The permanentrecord of a studentdismissed for academicdishonestyshallincludethenotation“DismissedforAcademic Dishonesty”.
- ProcedureforStudent Appeal of theDecision bythe ASC:
i)Definition ofAppeal
AnappealisarequestmadebythestudenttohavetheVicePresidentor designeereviewadecisionordisciplinaryactionbytheAcademicStandards Committee.
ii)Time Period of Appeal
TherequestforanappealmustbesubmittedinwritingtotheVice Presidentordesigneewithinseven(7)daysofdelivery,orten(10)days aftermailing,tothestudentofthewrittendecisionofthe ASC. This periodmay beextendedatthediscretionoftheVicePresidentor designee.
iii)Material Consideration and Possible Decisions
AllrecordsoftheCommitteehearingwillbeprovidedtothe Vice Presidentordesignee.TheVicePresidentordesigneewillconsideronly materialandtestimonialevidenceconsideredbytheCommitteeandits Vice-Chair. TheVicePresidentordesigneemay allowanoral presentationbythestudent.TheVicePresidentordesigneemayaffirm the decision bytheASC, imposealessersanction,orfindnocausefor disciplinaryaction.ThedecisionoftheVicePresidentordesigneeshall befinalandshallbedeliveredinwritingtotheCommittee and concerned parties within seven (7)days.
Section 2.ProcedureforAcademicGrievancePolicy
- AcademicExpectations
The freedom to learn depends upon opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in thelarger community. The responsibility to secure and respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared byallmembers ofthe academic community. Students are obligated to exercise their freedom with maturityand responsibility.
i)Student Rights
Students havethe right to
ii)beinformed of course requirements;
iii)be evaluated fairlyon the basis of their academicperformance (their abilities and skills) as required bya professor as part of a course;
iv)experience free and open discussion, inquiry, and expression, both in the classroom and in conference;
v)experience competent instruction and advisement;
vi)take exception to thedata orviews presented and reservejudgment about matters ofopinion;
vii)expect protection against aprofessor’s improper disclosureof student’s views, beliefs, and political association which maysurface as a result of instructing, advising, or counseling;
viii)expect protection, through establishedprocedures, against prejudicial or capricious evaluation (seeAcademicAppeals and Academic GrievanceProcedures section below).
- Student Responsibilities
Students havethe responsibilityto:
i)inquire about course requirements if theydo not understand them or arein doubt about them;
ii)maintain the standards of academicperformance establishedfor individual courses and forprograms of study;
iii)initiatean investigation if theybelievetheir academic rights havebeen violated. (seeAcademicAppeals and AcademicGrievanceProcedures section below).
iv)learn the content of anycourseof study;
v)act in accordancewith commonlyaccepted standards of academic conduct (seeStudent Conduct Code).
c.Student AcademicAppeals and AcademicGrievanceProcedures
i)Theseprocedures should beusedto appeal or resolve disputes concerningan academicgradeor other academicdecision considered byastudent to be arbitraryor contraryto Collegepolicy. These procedures should also beusedto grieveperceived violations of any ofthe student academic rights listed above. Forthe purposes ofthese procedures, a student is someoneholding“active” registration status as the time ofthe alleged violation.
ii)Beforeusingtheseprocedures or between anyof the appeals steps, students are encouraged to seek advice from the Dean of Students and Equal OpportunityCoordinator, 970-382-6977, 230 Miller Student Services.
iii)Appeals of charges of academicdishonestyfollow adifferent procedureand there areseparate procedures for removal ofagradeof Incomplete.
iv)It is the responsibilityof thestudent to initiate the appeals procedure at each step. If the appeal is pursued through Step 3, it is expected that, unless there areunusual circumstances, the request forahearingbythe Student AcademicReviewCommitteewill besubmitted within90 days from thelast dayof theterm in which the alleged violation arose. If thestudent fails to pursue thematterin themanner provided bythis policy, after the conferencewith thedepartment chair/director,ordean(s), if applicable, theoriginal academicdecision will be final. Thestudent should bringto thevarious conferences andto theStudent AcademicReviewCommitteehearingall evidenceon which he/she intends to rely.
The followingprocedures outlinethe steps ofthe academic appeal and/or grievanceprocess. It is recommended but notrequired that the student first arrangea conferenceto discuss the appeal or grievance with the facultymember(s)whose action is addressed in the student’s appeal or grievance. It is expected that all of theparties involved at each step of the appeals/grievanceprocess will makeagood faith effort to resolve theissues.(Request forHearingbyFort LewisCollegeStudent AcademicReviewCommittee Form can be found at the end ofPart IIISection 3, d)
1)Department Chair. In the event that a student feels he/she has not received adequate satisfaction from his discussion with the facultyinvolved or in the event that a student prefers not to discuss his/her concerns directlywith theinvolved faculty, the student mayarrangea conferenceto discuss the appeal or grievancewith thedepartment chair (or equivalent). If the department chair is theinvolved facultymember, this step may beskipped.
2)Dean (or equivalent). In the event thereis no department chair in theschool or academicunit involved, orin the event the involved facultymember is the department/unit chair, orin the event a student still feels aggrieved after consultation with the appropriate department chair, he/she mayask fora reviewbythe appropriate dean (or equivalent). If theinvolved facultymember is thedean (orequivalent), this step maybeskipped.
3)Student AcademicReview Committee. In the event thestudent is not satisfied with the results of the reviews bythe department chair and the dean (or equivalent) he/she mayask fora review committeeto be formed. This request shall bein writingto the Provost. A copyof therequest form appears at the end ofthis Section. TheProvost, ordesignee, shall act as chair ofthe review committee. The committeeshall include a faculty member from the department of theinvolved faculty(otherthan the chair). Such facultymember shallbe chosenbythe involved facultymember. The committeeshall also includea faculty member (from anydepartment) chosenbythe student. Thecommitteeshall also includeonestudent memberof theASFLC Student Court. This student is to beselected bytheStudentCourt.
The reviewmust be commenced and completed within 45 days from the receipt of the request forthe review. If the reviewisnot completed within this time period, an interim report shall be provided to all the involved parties.
The committeeshall interviewthe involved student and faculty member and anyotherstudents and facultytheyfeel are necessary. Based upon their findings, the committeewill determinewhetheror not the appeal or grievance addresses an action which maybe considered arbitrary, capricious or contrary to Collegepolicy. If thegrievanceis dismissed, thestudent shall beinformed in writingof the reasons fordismissal. If desired, the student mayrequest an in-person meetingwith theProvostto betterunderstand the Committee’s decision; however it must beunderstood that the decision ofthe Committeeis final. If the grievanceis sustained, the Provost will so advise thestudent and negotiate a resolution of thematterwith theinvolved faculty, department chair and dean. The reviewbythe above committee constitutes the final process in this appeal/grievanceprocedure.
It is hoped that anyconcern about academicdecisions shall be satisfactorilyresolved at a lower level. Approved: May4, 2005
Section 3.Grades of Incomplete “I”
A grade of Incomplete “I” is a student-initiated grade that must havetheInstructor’s approval.
- Appropriate Circumstances
i)A Gradeif Incomplete is appropriate under the followingcircumstances:
ii)Themajorpart ofthe course requirements has been met;
iii)Thestudentisunabletocompletetherequirementsintheterminwhich the courseis taken for compellingand unforeseen reasons;
iv)In the opinion of the Instructor, the student can complete the requirements without repeatingthe course.
b.Completion ofCourseRequirements
Ifthecourserequirementsarenotcompletedwithinone(1)yearaftertheend oftheappropriateterm,theIncomplete“I”shallreverttoan“F” (see Subsectiond.,“Grade PointAverage,”for thesingleexceptionto this change). Thedean (or equivalent) ofthe school (orother academicunit)in whichthecourseisofferedmay waive,forgoodreason,theone(1)year deadlineuponpetitionbythestudent.If,withinthetimeallotted,thestudent completesthecourserequirements,theInstructorshallinitiatethe grade changebyfilingaSpecial GradeReport Form.
c. Failingto Complete CourseRequirements
An“I”cannotberemovedbyregisteringtorepeatthecourse. Whenthe studentcannotcompletethecoursematerialwithoutrepeating the course, he/she should notreceive an “I”, rather, “W”or “F”would be appropriate.
d.GradePointAverage
A course for whicha studenthasa grade of “I” atthe time of graduation cannotbeusedtosatisfy anygraduationormajorrequirement,andisnot countedinunitsattemptedorGrade PointAverage. Intheevent that a studentgraduatespriortoremoving the“I,”thatgradeshallremain permanentlyon his transcript.
REQUEST FOR HEARINGBY FORT LEWISCOLLEGE
STUDENT ACADEMIC REVIEW COMMITTEE
Return completed formto Provost’s Office, 240 Berndt Hall
Date: ______
Student: ______
Major: ______Phone: ______
Year in School: ______FLC Email: ______
Home Address: ______
Faculty Advisor: ______
Involved Faculty: ______
Department/Unit: ______
Nature of Complaint: ______
______
______
______
Signature: ______Date: ______
Request received by: ______/______/______
NameSignature Date
Members appointed to Review Committee:
Faculty chosen by student: ______