Kean University

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INTRODUCTION
Committed to nurturing the growth of intellectual reasoning, academic and professional values, individual ethics and social responsibility in its students, Kean University provides academically rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs which adhere to the twin principles of honesty and academic integrity. These principles are essential to the fiber which ensures and maintains excellence in the quality of its academic instructional programs and facilitates the intellectual development of its students.

Academic dishonesty in any form, written or non-written, media or technology, seriously compromises the mission of Kean University to provide quality programs and opportunities for the optimum development of all students.

Academic integrity is the obligation of all members of the Kean Community - students, faculty and administration. It ensures the application of the highest academic standards and principles of conduct, honesty and truth. An individual’s work must reflect that person’s own efforts and achievements. Any collaboration of effort by an individual or groups of individuals must be acknowledged. Failure to acknowledge such contributions constitutes an act of dishonesty and a misrepresentation of the individual’s work.

Administration and faculty at Kean have an obligation to ensure that all members of the University community:

Understand what constitutes acts of academic dishonesty;
Understand the penalties imposed for acts of academic dishonesty and the consequences of these penalties;
Understand the process by which penalties are imposed.

The University maintains that all students are expected to employ the highest standards of academic integrity in their course work. Any violation of such may be subject to a penalty based on the infraction which may include a reprimand, reduction in grade, failing grade, suspension or dismissal from the University.

Violations of Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty involves the intentional misrepresentation of words or ideas of another as your own in any academic exercise; the intentional assistance or attempt to assist another in committing an act of academic dishonesty including technological theft, or the receipt of assistance in academic work which involves academic dishonesty. Such dishonesty specifically includes any attempt by a student to submit as one’s own, work which has not been done by him/her, or to give improper aid to another student in the completion of an assignment, i.e., plagiarism. Such infractions include but are not limited to:

Submitting as one’s own project, paper, report, test, program design or speech copied from, partially copied or partially paraphrased from the work of another (whether the source is printed, under copyright, in manuscript form or electronic media).
Falsification or invention of information used in any academic exercise.
Unauthorized use of computer software programs (disregard for copyright laws) and unauthorized possession, copying, loading or mounting of computer software.
An unauthorized attempt to gain access to any academic computer files not designated for University-wide use and designated as confidential material.
Theft or other abuse of computer time; unacceptable use of the University’s computing facilities.
Possessing or obtaining an examination without the professor’s authority or prior knowledge.
Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Intentional evasion of academic policies and procedures.

Violations of academic integrity as indicated above must be reported by faculty, students, and administrators as they represent serious infractions to the University’s mission as an institution of higher education.

Definitions of Academic Integrity Violations
Cheating: Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents his or her mastery of material on a test or other academic exercise.

Examples of cheating are:

Copying from another student’s work.
Allowing another student to copy your work.
Using unauthorized materials such as a textbook or notebook during an examination.
Using specifically prepared materials such as notes written on clothing or other unauthorized notes, formula lists, etc., during an examination.
Collaborating with another person during an examination by giving or receiving information without authority.

Unauthorized access to or use of someone else’s computer account or computer files, for any purpose, without the permission of the individual.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism occurs when a person represents someone else’s words, ideas, phrases, sentences, or data as one’s own work. When a student submits work that includes such material, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate and specific footnote references. All verbatim statements must be acknowledged through quotation marks. To avoid a charge of plagiarism, a student should be sure to include an acknowledgment of indebtedness.

Examples of plagiarism are:

Whenever one quotes another person’s words directly without acknowledging the source.
Whenever one uses another’s ideas, opinions or theories even if they have been completely paraphrased in one’s own words without acknowledging the source.
Whenever one uses facts, statistics or other illustrative material taken from a source, without acknowledging the source, unless the information is common knowledge.
Whenever a computer program submitted as original work duplicates, in whole or in part, without citation, the work of another.

Fabrication: Fabrication refers to the deliberate use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.

Examples of fabrication are:

Citation of information not taken from the source indicated.
Listing of sources in a bibliography or other report not used in that project.
Fabricating data or source information in experiments, research project or other academic exercises.
Submission as one’s own of any academic work prepared in whole or in part by others.
Taking a test for another person or asking or allowing another to take a test for you.
Misrepresenting oneself or providing misleading and false information in an attempt to access another user’s computer account.

Academic Misconduct: Academic Misconduct includes the alteration of grades; involvement in the acquisition or distribution of unadministered tests, and the unauthorized submission of student work in more than one class.

Examples of academic misconduct are:

Changing, altering, falsifying or being accessory to the changing, altering or falsifying of a grade report or form, or entering any university office, building or accessing a computer for that purpose.
Stealing, buying, selling, giving away or otherwise obtaining all or part of any unadministered test/examination or entering any university office or building for the purpose of obtaining an unadministered test/examination.
Submitting written work to fulfill the requirements of more than one course without the explicit permission of both instructors.
Coercing any other person to obtain an unadministered test.
Substituting for another student or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself to take a test or examination.
Altering test answers and then claiming instructor inappropriately graded the examination.
Misusing or destroying computer accounts without authorization.
Creating of illegal accounts, changing of files or securing of passwords illegally.
Using the University computing and telecommunication facilities for activities unrelated to the purpose for which it is intended and unrelated to the mission of the University.
Solicitation for charity or other benefits.
Activities related to the running of a personal for-profit venture unrelated to education.
Modifying computer systems, programs, data without authorization.
Copying or duplication of copyrighted computer programs with out regard for University purchased licensing agreement and federal copyright laws; improper distribution of computer software.

Collusion, Fraud and Purchased Term Papers
Collusion refers to the unauthorized collaboration with any other person in preparing work offered for credit. New Jersey Public Law 1977-C-215, “The Term Paper Law” prohibits the preparation for sale and/or subsequent sale of any term paper, thesis, dissertation, essay or other assignment with the knowledge that the assignment will be submitted in whole or in part for academic credit. The law provides a $1,000 fine for any persons or firm violating its provision. In addition, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey and the U.S. Postal Service under the terms of consent orders obtained regarding the operation of the two largest Academic Research companies in New Jersey require that these companies:

Keep comprehensive lists of the clients they serve including the client’s name, the school he or she attends, the date on which the material was purchased from the company and the type of material secured.
Provide copies of these lists and copies of the material sold to the individual purchaser, to any collegiate institution or faculty member upon request made on official institutional letterhead.

Classification of Academic Integrity Violations by Offense
Violations of academic integrity are classified into four categories based on the level of seriousness of the behaviors. Brief descriptions are provided below. These are general descriptions and should not be considered as all inclusive.

Level 1 Violations
Level one violations may occur because of ignorance or inexperience on the part of the person(s) committing the violation and ordinarily include a very minor portion of the course work. These violations are considered as academic issues and not as disciplinary offenses.
Example: Improper footnoting or unauthorized assistance with academic work on the part of a first-year student.
Recommended Penalty: make-up assignment at a more difficult level or assignment of no-credit for work in question, required attendance at a workshop on preparation of term papers, or a library assignment on preparation of term papers.

Level 2 Violations
Level two violations involve incidents of a more serious nature and affect a significant aspect or portion of the course.
Example: Quoting directly or paraphrasing without proper acknowledgment on a small portion of the assignment or failing to acknowledge all sources of information and contributors who helped with an assignment.
Recommended penalty: A failing grade on the assignment and/or in the course.

Level 3 Violations
Level three offenses are even more serious in nature and involve dishonesty on a more significant portion of course work, such as a major paper, hourly or final examination. Any violation that is premeditated or involves repeat offenses at level two is considered a level three violation.
Example: Copying from or giving assistance to others on an hourly or final examination, plagiarizing major portions of an assignment; using forbidden material on an hourly or final examination; using a purchased term paper; presenting the work of another as one’s own; or altering a graded examination for the purposes of regrading.
Recommended penalty: Probation or suspension from the University for one or more semesters with a notation of “disciplinary suspension” placed in a student’s record and/or a failing grade in the course.

Level 4 Violations
Level four violations are the most serious breaches of academic integrity. They also include repeat offenses of level three violations.
Example: Forgery of grade change forms; theft of examinations; having a substitute take an examination; any degree of falsification or plagiarism relating to a senior or graduate thesis; sabotaging another’s work; the violation of the clinical code of a profession; or infractions involving academic integrity committed after return from suspension for a previous violation.
Recommended penalty: Expulsion from the university and a permanent dismissal notation on the student’s internal transcript.

Charge and Adjudication of Academic Integrity Violations
To ensure due process, violations of Level 2, 3, or 4 the University’s academic integrity policy must be reported on an Academic Integrity Violations Report form found in all department offices. Completion and filing of the Academic Integrity Violations Report form by an instructor, as outlined below, will serve as the official written notification of an Academic Integrity Policy offense.

The Academic Integrity Violation Report form is a confidential five-part form which identifies the student and instructor involved, the course, course assignment and specific details of the offense. The burden of proof shall be upon the faculty member bringing the charges to prove the case. It shall also designate the category and classification of the violation. In the case of Level 2 violations, the instructor will meet with the student to address the charge, including the level of violation and recommended penalty, and impose the sanction/penalty for Level 2 violations. The sanction, penalty imposed by an instructor must be recorded on the AIVR form and forwarded to the Office of the Provost. All Level 2 appeals will proceed through the departmental grade grievance procedure or departmental Personnel Committee. All student-instructor conferences about Level 3 and 4 violations will be informational only; the instructor is not responsible for determining the penalty or action that will be taken in response to these violations. However, the professor may make a non-binding recommendation to the College Dean for consideration of Level 3 and Level 4 violations. All Level 3 and Level 4 violations reports must be sent to the Dean’s Office for action prior to filing the report with the Provost and department chairperson. The student has the right to meet personally with the Dean before a decision is made. The College Dean will then review the incident and apply a sanction/penalty in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy level of violation and recommended action. No further action will be taken if the Dean finds no violation has occurred. The Dean’s action will be reported in the appropriate section on the form and a letter confirming the disciplinary action taken, i.e. probation, suspension or dismissal. A copy of the completed form and recommended action will then be forwarded to the student, instructor, department chair and Provost. All penalties and sanctions imposed by an instructor or College Dean must be in accordance with the published Academic Integrity Policy.

Appeal of Academic Integrity
Violation Charge or Penalty Imposed
Once a penalty has been imposed at level 3 or 4, the student may file a written appeal to the Provost within ten (10) course meeting days. Should an Academic Integrity Violations charge be made at the end of a semester a NR grade will be assigned until the charge is adjudicated. The Provost’s office will refer all appeals of Levels 3 and 4 violations to the University Appeals Board (UAB) for public hearing or mediation. The UAB may uphold, modify, or dismiss a charge or a penalty made by the College Dean.

Any written appeal by the student must be filed within the specified period of time and include:

a clear explanation of the nature of the appeal;
a clear explanation of the reason(s) for the appeal;
a clear concise statement of the facts as known, with appropriate supporting documentation;
a clear statement of what is being appealed; i.e, the dishonesty charge and/or the penalty imposed.

The University Appeals Board must be convened by the Provost’s office upon receipt of an appeal or submitted to the Board for resolution at its regularly scheduled meeting. The Provost’s office will be responsible for checking to see if the student has committed prior acts of academic dishonesty.

The University Appeals Board is a body elected by the Faculty Senate membership whose role is to review all student appeals of violations of academic integrity.

The UAB consists of nine voting members; four (4) faculty members - one elected from each academic College; one (1) professional staff member elected by the Faculty Senate professional staff membership; three (3) students, one each, appointed by each of the three student governing bodies; and one (1) administrator or staff member appointed by the Provost. The Vice President for Student Affairs will appoint a non-voting member who will serve as an observer. It is the responsibility of this member to observe and monitor procedure, and act as the liaison between the UAB and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

The UAB must be elected during the Faculty Senate’s regularly scheduled elections. Faculty Senate members of the UAB serve for two years. To ensure continuity in service on the Board, half of the elected and appointed members will serve for one year in the initial year. A quorum of 7 voting members is required to mediate or settle appeals.

The decisions of the UAB are considered final and may be appealed only on the grounds of alleged procedural or substantive error. Appeals will be directed in writing to the Provost and must be filed within ten (10) days of the decision issued by the University Appeals Board. The written appeal must identify the nature of the alleged procedural or substantive error on which the appeal is based. Prior to reaching a decision on the appeal, the Provost will meet with the Chairperson of the University Appeals Board to review the basis on which the UAB reached its decision. The determination of the Provost is final.

Other Procedural matters for UAB Board Reviews include:

Student Presence at Meeting: Students will be notified by certified mail that their appeal will be heard on a specific date and time, and that they are invited to attend. The student must notify the UAB Board Secretary in advance whether or not he/she plans to attend the hearing or inform the Board Secretary if the hearing is scheduled at a time when the student cannot attend so that a mutually agreeable date can be scheduled. Should a student not attend by choice, the matter will be heard based on the written record. Should the meeting be rescheduled for student’s convenience and the student fail to attend the meeting, the appeal will be heard based on the written record.

Faculty Presence at Meeting: The involved faculty member will be notified of the date and time of the hearing. The rescheduling arrangements described above pertaining to voluntary non-attendance are also applicable to involved faculty members.

Voting Procedures: The University Appeals Board votes may be cast by secret ballot, with the recommendation made on the basis of a majority of voting members present. Minority opinions may be written to the Provost. In the case of a tie vote, voting will continue until the Board deems that it must notify the Provost of a deadlock. Thus, voting may span more than one meeting.
Case Records: Pending a scheduled appeal meeting, two (2) confidential copies of scheduled cases will be kept in the Office of the Provost for review by Board members and the directly involved parties; i.e. the faculty member and the accused student.

Attorneys Present at Meeting: Attorneys may attend hearings at the request of directly involved parties to observe and advise. These hearings are collegiate reviews and not legal proceedings. Thus, attorneys may advise their clients but may not address the board.

Hearing Procedure: The Appeals Board will convene its meetings first and then invite students/faculty to testify when the Board is ready to hear their testimony. The Board Moderator will be the person through whom materials/questions will be addressed to the Board. All materials/questions to be introduced/raised must normally be sent to the Moderator at least three (3) class days prior to the scheduled hearing.

Disqualification: Board members will use their discretion concerning cases where familiarity may affect their impartial judgement.

Time/Witness Limitation: The Board Moderator may limit the number of witnesses to be heard or may exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence.
Testimony Rights: no person shall be compelled to testify against his/her will.

Rules of Evidence: Rules of evidence applied in civil and criminal courts will not apply to campus hearings. The Board will receive and consider oral and documentary evidence of the kind that persons are accustomed to relying on in these matters.

Alternative Actions: If there is a need for the Appeals Board to meet outside the academic year, e.g. summer months, and a quorum cannot be reached, hearings may be delayed until the beginning of the next academic year or a College may be asked to elect an alternate member if a member is on sick or other leave.
Any procedural questions should be addressed to the Office of the Provost.

If a student does not appeal, the Academic Integrity Violations charge is substantiated and the Academic Integrity Violation form remains on file in the Office of the Provost.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Kean University gratefully acknowledges the assistance of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and of Rutgers University - Newark College of Arts and Sciences in the development of this document. We thank both institutions for their willingness to allow us to selectively adapt some of their policies and procedures related to academic dishonesty for our own use.