Academic integrity information for faculty
In order to fulfill one’s human potential, it is necessary to be honest and honorable in each of life’s endeavors. The pursuit of academic excellence, therefore, must be conducted with the highest levels of honor, integrity, and civility. The community of JCC believes that all students have the right to be educated and fairly evaluated in an environment which promotes scholarly honesty in all aspects of academic endeavor.
Why is academic integrity important?
The college is an academic community whose mission is to promote learning through the acquisition, preservation, and transmission of knowledge. In order to achieve this goal, the college must create and maintain an atmosphere that promotes honesty and the free exchange of ideas, which is the essence of academic integrity. In this setting, all members of the institution have an obligation to uphold high intellectual and ethical standards which, in turn, help maintain the highest standards of academic excellence.
What is my responsibility as a faculty member?
To establish a positive learning environment, faculty should include a policy statement on academic integrity in their syllabi. Consistent use and enforcement of a policy statement will model and promote academic integrity for students. If you are unsure of how to formulate a policy, please consult the Constitution of the Student Body to review the college’s statement on academic integrity or ask your department head for advice. Some departments may have a standard policy to be used by all of their instructors.
What are the most common forms of academic dishonesty?
Actions constituting violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Plagiarism: the use of another's words, ideas, data, or product without appropriate acknowledgment, such as copying another's work, presenting someone else's opinions and theories as one’s own, or working jointly on a project and then submitting it as one’s own. Unintentional plagiarism may occur when students are unaware of the proper methods to use in crediting sources. Whether intentional or not, plagiarism is a violation of the college’s standards of academic integrity; students are responsible for learning and following the rules for proper use of sources.
- Cheating: the use or attempted use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids; or an act of deceit by which a student attempts to misrepresent academic skills or knowledge; unauthorized copying from or collaboration with another person.
- Fabrication: intentional misrepresentation or invention of any information, such as falsifying research, inventing or exaggerating data, or listing incorrect or fictitious references.
- Collusion: assisting another to commit an act of academic dishonesty, such as paying or bribing someone to acquire a test or assignment, taking a test or doing an assignment for someone else, or allowing someone to do these things for one’s own benefit.
What should I do if I encounter evidence of academic dishonesty?
Allegations of academic dishonesty and disruptive classroom behavior are first addressed by the instructor. Be consistent in applying the policy you’ve outlined in your syllabus. Following stated policies helps minimize student confusion and underscores the college’s commitment to setting and maintaining high academic standards. Academic sanctions, such as a failing grade or dismissal from a program, are determined by the instructor and the department. Students may appeal in accordance with the JCC appeal process.
After consultation with the department dean, the matter may also be referred to Academic Affairs for consideration of possible disciplinary sanctions in addition to the academic consequences imposed by the instructor or department.
Complete, accurate documentation is essential. You may be asked to appear as a witness in a Student Conduct hearing.
Before referring to a department dean or assigning an academic sanction, instructors must make a good faith effort to give the student the opportunity to question the evidence and tell their side of the story before imposing consequences, even when the evidence appears conclusive. Instructors are encouraged to report incidents to the department dean to ensure that students who repeat an act of academic dishonesty are subject to progressive discipline. The information is kept for two years after the last date of registration for any particular student. A record of plagiarism or cheating may be considered when making decisions for admission to the nursing program – it is not mandatory.
The Constitution of the Student Body describes the college’s expectations regarding academic integrity in more detail, and outlines the procedures for flagrant violations of this policy as well procedures for students to appeal penalties.