Policy 5.15: Academic Integrity Policy

I. Policy

In keeping with our mission, Quincy College will foster a high standard of academic honesty for student, faculty, and staff and will seek to preserve the rights of our entire College community. As part of our academic integrity policy, all members will adhere to the basic values of mutual respect and responsibility as well as individual and institutional integrity. Students will be informed about those actions that constitute a breach of integrity and about those sanctions that may result from academic dishonesty. In the interests of promoting the best environment for learning, we, the community of Quincy College, pledge to advance the principles of honor and integrity in all of our actions.

Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the coursework they submit. Therefore, to assist students in observing academic integrity the following guidelines have been developed:

• Students must do their own work and submit only their own work, unless otherwise permitted by their instructor. If appropriate citation guidelines are not stated on the syllabus, students are encouraged to contact their instructor for guidance.
  • Students may collaborate or cooperate with other students on assignments or examinations only as directed by the instructor.
  • Students must follow all written and/or oral instructions given by instructors or designated College representatives for taking exams, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and other evaluative instruments.

II. Definitions

Academic dishonesty goes against the core values of the Quincy College Mission Statement. These values are HONESTY, TRUST, FAIRNESS, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY. In cases where academic integrity is at issue, the following definitions will apply:

1. Plagiarism is the representation of the words and/or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic assignment. Examples include, but are not limited to: stealing or downloading the entire text of a paper, cutting and pasting various sources together to simulate a new essay, copying small portions of a paper, or misattributing source material.

• Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any graded assignment. Examples include but are not limited to: copying from another student, accessing unauthorized books or documents, receiving messages without authority during an exam, and improper use of calculators, computers, or any other electronic devices during exams or other assignments.

• Fabrication is the falsification of any information or citation in any academic assignment. Examples include but are not limited to: inventing sources, data, or citations for a paper or assignment.

• Facilitation is knowingly aiding or abetting acts of academic dishonesty. Examples include but are not limited to: assisting others to cheat or plagiarize or participating in a conspiracy to cheat.

• Misrepresentation is engaging in acts of deception or forgery in an academic context. Examples include but are not limited to: misrepresenting one’s own work as something that it is not, lying to an instructor or fabricating excuses to improve a grade or to make up for missed work, and excessively misusing computer software to create works that  do not truly reflect a student’s skill level.

III. Disciplinary Procedures Involving Students

Violations of the standards of Academic Integrity described in the Quincy College Academic Integrity Statement may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from Quincy College.

Any faculty or staff member who notices infractions of the standards of academic integrity and honesty must file an Academic Incident Report and initiate disciplinary procedures in response to those violations. Students who notice infractions of the standards of academic integrity are encouraged to report the infraction either verbally or in writing to a member of the Quincy College faculty or staff. Examples of penalties that may be imposed by the College include, but are not limited to:

1. Formal written warning placed in the student’s file;
2. Reduced or failing grade for the assignment;
3. Reduced or failing grade for the course;
4. Suspension from college; and
5. Dismissal from the College.

Severe, flagrant, or multiple violations that have import beyond a specific course may lead to disciplinary action that could result in dismissal from the College and/or denial of readmission to  the College. The following factors will be considered in all determinations of penalty:

1. The nature or seriousness of the offense;
2. The injury/damage resulting from the offense; and
3. The student’s prior disciplinary record.

IV. Disciplinary Action-Hearing and Appealing Process Involving Students

Any student who wishes to appeal any disciplinary action imposed in response to violations of Quincy College’s Academic Integrity standards will do so in accordance with the following steps:

Step 1: Within five business days of the date of notification, the student must request a hearing with the appropriate academic dean. Within five business days of the hearing, the dean shall, in writing, notify the student of the decision.

Step 2: If a student has cause to question the resolution at Step 1, within five business days of the dean’s written decision at Step 1, the student may forward a written appeal to the Provost/Chief Academic Officer. Within five business days of the receipt of the appeal, the Provost/Chief Academic Officer shall, in writing, notify the student, and the individual who files the report, of the outcome of the appeal.