CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Code of Academic Integrity

Principle

Integrity and ethical behavior are expected of every student in all academic work. This Academic Integrity principle stands for honesty in all class work, and ethical conduct in all labs and clinical assignments. This principle is furthered by the Student Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures established by ABOR Policies 5-308 through 5-404 (see chapter 5), all provisions of which apply to all University of Arizona students. This Code of Academic Integrity (hereinafter "this Code") is intended to fulfill the requirement imposed by ABOR Policy 5-403.A.4 and otherwise to supplement the Student Code of Conduct as permitted by ABOR Policy 5-308.C.1. This Code of Academic Integrity shall not apply to the Colleges of Law or to the MD program in the College of Medicine, which have their own honor codes and procedures.

Prohibited Conduct

Students enrolled in academic credit bearing courses are subject to this Code. Conduct prohibited by this Code consists of all forms of academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to:

  1. Cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, and plagiarism as set out and defined in the Student Code of Conduct, ABOR Policy 5-308-E.11, and F.1
  2. Submitting an item of academic work that has previously been submitted or simultaneously submitted without fair citation of the original work or authorization by the faculty member supervising the work.
  3. Violating required disciplinary and professional ethics rules contained or referenced in the student handbooks (hardcopy or online) of undergraduate or graduate programs, or professional colleges.
  4. Violating discipline specific health, safety or ethical requirements to gain any unfair advantage in lab(s) or clinical assignments.
  5. Failing to observe rules of academic integrity established by a faculty member for a particular course.
  6. Attempting to commit an act prohibited by this Code. Any attempt to commit an act prohibited by these rules shall be subject to sanctions to the same extent as completed acts.
  7. Assisting or attempting to assist another to violate this Code.

Student Responsibility

Students engaging in academic dishonesty diminish their education and bring discredit to the academic community. Students shall not violate the Code of Academic Integrity and shall avoid situations likely to compromise academic integrity. Students shall observe the generally applicable provisions of this Code whether or not faculty members establish special rules of academic integrity for particular classes. Students are not excused from complying with this Code because of faculty members’ failure to prevent cheating.

Faculty Responsibility

Faculty members shall foster an expectation of academic integrity and shall notify students of their policy for the submission of academic work that has previously been submitted for academic advancement, as well as any special rules of academic integrity or discipline specific ethics established for a particular class or program (e.g., whether a faculty member permits collaboration on coursework; ethical requirements for lab and clinical assignments; etc.), and make every reasonable effort to avoid situations conducive to infractions of this Code.

Student Rights

Students have the right to a fair consideration of the charges, to see the evidence, and to confidentiality, as allowed by law and fairness to other affected persons. Procedures under this Code shall be conducted in a confidential manner, although a student has the right to an advisor in all procedures under this Code. The Dean of Students serves as advisors to students on any questions of process related to this Code.

Academic Integrity Procedures

 I. Faculty-Student Conference

The faculty member of record for the course (i.e., responsible for signing the grade sheet) conducts these procedures and is responsible for ensuring that they are followed. If faculty allege a violation of this Code has occurred, they shall make sure that students receive written notice in advance of the conference within a reasonable timeframe, detailed reason for the conference, and fair consideration of the charges against them. The faculty member must confer with the student within 15 academic days (hereinafter referred to as “days”) of receiving evidence of a suspected violation of this Code, unless good cause is shown for an extension of no more than 30 days. Such an extension must be approved by the Dean of the College. After 15 academic days the faculty member may proceed with imposing decision and sanction for an alleged violation if the student has not responded to reasonable attempts for the conference to take place. If the faculty member has not acted on the alleged violation after 15 academic days, then the student shall not be subject to this code for the alleged violation in question. The faculty member shall confer with the student in private, explain the allegations, present any evidence, and hear the student's response. If more than one student is involved in an incident, separate conferences are recommended but not required. When dealing with students who are unavailable for the conference, students not enrolled in the class, or graduate students, refer to the General Provisions.

After the conference, the faculty member shall decide by a preponderance of the evidence whether or not the student has committed an act prohibited by this Code. “Preponderance of the evidence” means that it is more likely than not that a violation of this Code occurred. If the evidence does not support a finding of a violation, the University will make no record of the incident in any University files. The student may continue in the class without prejudice. 

If the evidence supports a finding that the student has engaged in misconduct, the faculty member shall impose sanctions after considering the seriousness of the misconduct, the student's state of mind, and the harm done to the University and to other students. In addition, the faculty member shall consider mitigating and aggravating factors in accordance with the provisions of ABOR Policy 5-308.H. A faculty member may impose any one or a combination of the following sanctions: a written warning, loss of credit for the work involved, reduction in grade, notation of the violation(s) on the student’s transcript, a failing grade in the course, or revocation of a student’s degree. The faculty member may also impose a sanction of suspension or expulsion from the program, department, college, or University. When appropriate, faculty members may also assign students to participate in educational sanctions that address the violation of this Code. If the faculty member assigns a notation on the transcript, suspension or expulsion from the University, or revocation of a degree as a sanction, the student is automatically granted an appeal to the Dean of the College. Within 10 days of the conference, the faculty member shall prepare a written decision outlining the charges, evidence, findings, conclusions, and sanctions imposed. The faculty member should complete the online Record of Faculty-Student Conference form. The Dean of Students Office will send notification to the student (as provided in the "Notice" section under General Provisions) and to the Academic Dean. The faculty will be copied on the notice. See the General Provisions section for Grade Before Appeals.

II. Additional Sanctions for Multiple Violations

Multiple violations of this Code may subject students to additional sanctions, including suspension or expulsion at the discretion of the Academic Dean or his/her designee.  

Upon receiving the Record of Faculty-Student Conference form, the Dean of Students Office will notify the student and the Academic Dean of the existence of multiple violations. The Academic Dean will decide within 20 days if any additional sanctions are to be imposed on the student as a result of multiple violations. The Academic Dean shall not revisit the decisions made in previous violations of the Code. The Academic Dean will notify the student, the Dean of Students Office, and the Dean of the College where the violation occurred, as provided in the "Notice" section under General Provisions, within 20 days of receipt of notice of multiple violations from the Dean of Students Office in writing of any additional sanctions and related information. The Academic Dean should use the form entitled “Sanctions for Multiple Violations,” and outline the findings and conclusions supporting his/her decision for any additional sanctions. Except in cases where the sanction for multiple violations results in suspension or expulsion from the University, a notation on the student’s transcript, or revocation of a student’s degree, the additional sanctions imposed by the Academic Dean for multiple violations of this Code shall be final. If the case is appealed as set forth below, the Academic Dean will present the case for the additional sanction.

III. Appeal to Dean of the College

The student may appeal the faculty member’s decision and sanctions to the Dean of the College or his/her designee. The student shall deliver the form entitled "Request for Appeal to Dean of the College" to the Dean of the College within 10 days of the date on which the “Record of Faculty-Student Conference” is postmarked electronically or via postal mail. The Dean of the College may extend this filing period if the student shows good cause for the extension. If a student does not appeal within the time provided, the decision and sanctions of the faculty member will be final.  

Within 15 days of receiving the appeal, the Dean of the College shall schedule the appeal hearing for this specific case only. The appeal hearing must be concluded within 30 days of receiving the appeal. Upon appeal, the Dean of the College shall review the faculty member’s decision, sanctions and supporting evidence, and any evidence provided by the student, and shall confer with the faculty member and the student. The Dean of the College shall have the authority to uphold, modify, or overturn the faculty member’s decision and sanctions. If the Dean of the College finds: 

  1. that the conclusion of a violation is not supported by the evidence, then he/she shall render a finding of no violation and that the sanction(s) imposed be overturned.
  2. that the conclusion of a violation is supported by the evidence and the sanction imposed is appropriate, then he/she shall uphold the faculty member's decision and sanction(s).
  3. that the conclusion of a violation is supported by the evidence, and the sanction(s) imposed are inadequate or excessive, then he/she shall modify the sanction(s) as appropriate.

The Dean of the College shall notify the student, the faculty member and the Dean of Students in writing of his/her decision as provided in the "Notice" section under General Provisions. The Dean of the College should use the form entitled "Record of Appeal to Dean of the College" for this purpose if the Dean of the College decides no violation occurred, all reference to the charge shall be removed from the student's University records, and the student may continue in the class without prejudice. If the semester has ended prior to the conclusion of the appeal process, the faculty member shall calculate the grade without the sanction. If work was not completed due to the academic integrity allegation, the faculty member and the student shall confer and a grade of "I" shall be assigned. If a grade of "I" is assigned, the student shall have the opportunity to complete any remaining work without prejudice within the timeframe set forth in the student’s academic catalog. 

If the alleged academic integrity violation and subsequent appeal process continues past a student’s graduation date, the Dean of the College should make every reasonable attempt to hear the appeal in an expedited manner. If the Dean of the College is unable to hear the appeal in an expedited manner the Vice President for Instruction will hear the appeal according to the procedures set forth above.

IV. Interim Action

  1. The Dean of the College involved may suspend the student from one or more classes, clinics or labs for an interim period prior to resolution of the academic integrity proceeding if the Dean of the College believes that the information supporting the allegations of academic misconduct is reliable and determines that the continued presence of the student in classes or class-related activities poses a significant threat to any person or property.
  2. The Dean of the College must provide written notice of the interim suspension to the student, with a copy to the Provost and the Dean of Students Office. The interim suspension will become effective immediately on the date of the written notice.
  3. A student who is suspended for an interim period may request a meeting with the Provost or his/her designee to review the Dean of the College’s decision and to respond to the allegations that he or she poses a threat, by making a written request to the Provost for a meeting. The Provost or his/her designee will schedule the meeting no later than five (5) days following receipt of the written request and decide whether the reasons for imposing the interim suspension are supported by the evidence.
  4. The interim suspension will remain in effect until a final decision has been made on the pending academic misconduct charges or until the Provost, or his/her designee, determines that the reasons for imposing the interim suspension no longer exist or are not supported by the available evidence. 

V. Appeal to University Hearing Board

The student may appeal to a University Hearing Board any decision of the Dean of the College or the Academic Dean that imposes suspension or expulsion from the University, provides for a notation on the student’s transcript, or revokes a student’s degree. The student may also appeal to a University Hearing Board if the Dean of the College failed to act on a request for an appeal of a faculty member’s decision within the 30 day period. The Dean of the College may grant the student the option to appeal to a University Hearing Board if the sanction of a failing grade is imposed and the Dean of the College believes reasonable persons would disagree on whether a violation occurred. The appeal must be filed within 10 days from receipt of the decision or the Dean of the College’s failure to act, by providing written notice of appeal to the Dean of Students Office. The student should use the form entitled “Request for Appeal to a University Hearing Board” for this purpose. If a student does not appeal within the time allowed, the most recent decision of record shall become final. The University Hearing Board shall follow the procedures set forth in ABOR Policy 5-403.D with the following modifications:

  1. The Hearing Board shall be composed of three faculty and two students and shall convene within 30 days of the time the student files the appeal.
  2. Wherever the term Vice President of Student Affairs appears, it shall be replaced with Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost. The Provost is empowered to change grades and the Registrar shall accept the Provost's decision. The Provost shall also notify the parties of the final decision. The Provost may designate a Vice Provost or other Vice President to act on his/her behalf.
  3. Wherever the Dean of Students is indicated as presenting evidence or witnesses, it shall be replaced with the faculty member who made the charges or his/her representative. Additionally, the Academic Dean or designee may also present evidence to support sanctions for multiple violations.
  4. The student may be assisted throughout the proceedings by an advisor or may be represented by an attorney. If the student is represented by an attorney, the faculty member may also be represented by an attorney selected by the University’s Office of the General Counsel.
  5. The faculty member has the same right as students to challenge the participation of any Board member, as noted in the Student Disciplinary Procedures (5-403.D.3.f.).
  6. The Board may, in its recommendations, address any egregious violations of process.
  7. Sanctions for multiple violations will be recommended and presented to the Board by the Academic Dean or his/ her designee.

General Provisions

Academic Days

"Academic Days" are the days in which school is in session during the regular fall and spring semesters, excluding weekends and holidays. If possible, Faculty-Student Conferences and appeals may be heard during the summer or winter break. The Dean of the College or Dean of Students may extend these time limits when serving the interests of a fair consideration or for good cause shown.  Alleged violations of the Code during Pre-Session, Summer Sessions, or Winter Session shall proceed according to the timeline for the faculty-student conference set forth above. Appeals from an alleged violation during Pre-Session, Summer Sessions, or Winter Session shall proceed at the availability of the Dean of the College or if unavailable, the Dean’s designee. If the appeal process cannot proceed during Pre-Session, Summer Sessions, or Winter Sessions the student shall continue in the class without prejudice and the timeline for the appeal process shall continue at the start of the next regular fall or spring semester. Appeals involving a student who has graduated shall follow the expedited process set forth above. 

Academic Dean

The Academic Dean is the Dean of the academic college where the student’s major is housed. In the case of dual degree students, the Dean of the student’s primary major college will hear the appeal Under this Code, the Academic Dean may designate another member of the college administration to act on his/her behalf.

Advisor

An individual selected by the student to advise him/her. The advisor may be a faculty or staff member, student, attorney, parent or other representative of the student. The student will be responsible for any fees charged by the advisor. The advisor may confer with the student during any proceedings provided by this Code, but may only speak during a University Hearing Board. The advisor may be dismissed from the hearing if University Hearing Board Chairperson finds that the advisor is disruptive. If the advisor is dismissed from the meeting, the student has the right to end the meeting and reschedule when a new advisor can be present.

Dean of the College

The Dean of the College is the Dean of the faculty member’s academic college where the alleged violation occurred. In the cases where the alleged violation is initiated by the Graduate College or the Honors College, the Deans of those Colleges will hear the appropriate appeal. Under this Code, the Dean of the College may designate another member of the college administration to act on his/her behalf.

Grade Before Appeal

Students must be allowed to continue in class without prejudice until all un­expired or pending appeals are completed. If the semester ends before all appeals are concluded, a grade of "I" shall be recorded until appeals are completed.

Graduate Students

In cases involving graduate students, faculty shall follow the procedures outlined for undergraduate students except that in all cases where the student is found to have violated this Code, the faculty member (and in the case of appeals, the Dean of the College or Hearing Board) shall notify the Associate Dean of the Graduate College.

Notice

Whenever notice is required in these procedures it shall be written notice delivered by hand or by other means that provides for verification of delivery including email delivery to a secure University email account.

Record

Whenever a sanction is imposed, the sanction and the rationale shall be recorded in the student's academic file as appropriate. It is recommended that the forms entitled "Record of Faculty-Student Conference" and "Record of Appeal to Dean of the College" be used. These forms are available from the Dean of Students Office website.

Rights and Responsibilities of Witness

Witnesses from within the University community are expected to cooperate in any proceedings under this Code. The privacy of a witness shall be protected to the extent allowed by law and with consideration to fairness to the students charged and other affected persons. Retaliation of any kind against witnesses is prohibited and shall be treated as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or of other applicable University rules.

Students or Faculty Not Available For Conference

In cases where the student is not available, e.g., out of the area after final exams, the faculty member shall make every reasonable effort to contact the student through personal contact, telephone, University email, or mail to inform the student of the charges. If the faculty member is able to contact the student, the Faculty-Student Conference shall be scheduled as soon as both parties are available, e.g., at the beginning of the next semester. The student shall be given the grade of Incomplete until the conference is held. If either of the parties will not be available for an extended period, the Faculty-Student Conference shall be held via telephone. If after several efforts, contact cannot be established, the faculty member may impose sanctions but must send a letter or copy of the "Record of Faculty-Student Conference" form via certified return receipt requested mail to the student's last permanent address outlining the charges, findings, conclusions and sanctions.

Students Not in Class

If students not enrolled in the class are involved in a violation of this Code, faculty shall file a Student Code of Conduct complaint with the Dean of Students Office.

Role of the Department Head

Academic Department Heads serve a consultative role for faculty members working with matters of academic integrity since Department Heads are not part of the appeal process.