Introduction
Academic integrity is “the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner” which includes “a commitment by all members of the University community not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception.” (see Senate policy 49-20).
Senate Policy 43-00 requires course instructors to provide students with a course syllabus that includes the academic integrity policy for the course and provides a recommended syllabus statement. Educators can find customizable language around student’s use of AI in the Faculty Resources section of the University’s Academic Integrity Resources page, and both students and educators can find helpful academic integrity resources, including FAQS, on the same Academic Integrity Resources webpage.
Claim Review Process
When an educator believes, for reasons beyond mere suspicion, that a student has attempted to violate or has violated a course academic integrity policy or assessment instruction in a way that (would have) affected the quality of the academic work, then they should submit an academic integrity claim. Educators are strongly encouraged to make reasonable attempts to discuss the situation with the student before they submit.
The cases will be reviewed by the University College adjudication committee. The committee will consider all information submitted by the student and the educator through the academic integrity process. Typically, the student and the educator will not meet with the adjudication committee. In the rare event that a committee deems it necessary, the committee will invite the student and the educator involved with the claim to talk with the committee before outcomes are determined.
Because academic integrity information may become part of a student’s academic record and conduct record, educators should strive to keep such information confidential.
Support for students and faculty
Those with questions or educators seeking consultation may consult with their Academic Integrity Contact Person (scroll to bottom of that page). On the Wilkes-Barre campus, this is Agnès Kim. Educators seeking consultation from administrators or colleagues should take care to protect the identities of those who are allegedly involved.
Students are highly encouraged to have continuing conversations with their instructors, share struggles before they become overwhelming, and when in doubt, ask about what constitutes cheating in the class. The campus’s Academic Integrity Leader (Agnès Kim) is a resource for students who would like to talk to someone neutral in the process.
If a student is meeting with the adjudication committee, the student is welcome to bring a support person, in accordance with the information included in Undergraduate Education policy G-9 Academic Integrity.
For information about the academic integrity process, see policy G-9 Academic Integrity and the Undergraduate Sanctioning Guidelines for Academic Integrity Violations. Schreyer honors students should also consult the Schreyer Honors College Scholar Handbook.