Millikin University is a community of learners brought together to seek, share, and expand knowledge. The work of the community requires an environment of openness, trust, and civility. The Standards of Conduct described in this section are designed to help ensure such an environment. The policies described set forth the University's expectations for student behavior by stating conduct that is unacceptable and subject to sanction.

The University Judicial System does not attempt to replicate or mimic the criminal judicial system. Our system is based on the expectations we hold for student behavior. Our standard of proof for determining the occurrence of student misconduct is less than that required in criminal court proceedings. Our goal is to educate students about the impact on the community and its members of their misconduct and to help them develop and practice acceptable behaviors.

The Board of Trustees delegated the responsibility for discipline within the community to the President of the University. The Dean of Student Development is the University's senior student affairs officer and is the administrative officer in whom disciplinary responsibility is delegated by the President. The Dean of Student Development has overall responsibility and authority to supervise the disciplinary and judicial processes at Millikin University, including overseeing the continued evaluation of both the process and procedures and the training of appropriate boards and personnel.

Questions about the University Judicial System and proceedings should be directed to the Dean of Student Development (Shilling 205) who serves as the University's chief judicial officer.

The offenses defined, under Section II of Standards of Conduct, are punishable misconduct for which students may be subject to penalties, including suspension or expulsion from the University..

In order to clarify, standards of conduct are applicable to students anywhere on the University-owned or affiliated property. University property is defined as all real property, both that which is owned or leased to and operated exclusively by the University and all property leased to or operated by student organizations which are under the control and regulation of the Board of Trustees. The University does not desire to be a policing authority for the activities of students outside the University community; however, there may be occasions when students' off-campus misconduct is reviewed and sanctioned by the University. These occasions occur when students' off-campus misconduct impacts the well-being of the community or adversely affects the environment of openness, trust, and civility. University involvement in students' off-campus behavior is to be determined by the Dean of Student Development.

The use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs will not relieve students of the responsibility for their actions. Students will be given every reasonable opportunity and all reasonable help to overcome any dependency; however, students will still be responsible for their actions.

Standards of Conduct

1. Preliminary Provisions
   
   These Standards of Conduct have been developed to promote student growth, to provide accused students with a fair disciplinary process and educate the University community about the meaning of fair process, to protect the rights of individuals, and to uphold the educational mission of the University.
   
   Knowledge of these standards. All students are expected to make themselves familiar with these standards. Neither the use of alcoholic beverages or other drugs, nor unfamiliarity with these standards, shall excuse or relieve students from responsibility for their actions.
   
   
2. Initiating proceedings. Any group within the University, any individual member of the University community, or the Dean of Student Development acting for Millikin University may initiate disciplinary proceedings for an alleged violation of the standards of conduct. The complaint must be submitted in writing to the judicial officer appointed by the Dean of Student Development. After a preliminary investigation, the judicial officer determines if there is sufficient information to bring charges against a student or a student organization. Disciplinary proceedings are initiated by the judicial officer sending a formal charge letter to the student or group. Proceedings related to non-academic violations may be initiated at any point during a student's career, which includes undergraduate and graduate careers. There is no time limitation on proceedings related to academic dishonesty
   
   Relationship with civil authorities. Because the University has an interest in inappropriate behavior separate from that of the civil authorities, it has the right and responsibility to exercise its jurisdiction and take such action as is appropriate to protect this interest. The University reserves the right to enforce these standards whether or not civil authorities have acted. In those instances where civil authorities have acted, the University may also exercise its jurisdiction. When the University has jurisdiction in a matter subject to these standards, it also has the right to report the matter, whenever appropriate, to civil authorities. While off-campus misconduct will not normally be the basis for disciplinary action, where the University has an identifiable interest separate from that of the off-campus community, such conduct may be subject to disciplinary review and action by the University.
   
   
3. Categories of Offenses Covered by these Standards
   
   Listed below are the categories of offenses covered by these Standards of Conduct and subject to review and enforcement through the Millikin University Disciplinary System.
   
   Offenses against another person:
   1. Assault is defined as any action intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm to any person on campus or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with Millikin, or causing reasonable apprehension of such harm. Such offenses include but are not limited to the separate offenses defined below of sexual assault, harassment and/or hazing.
   2. Sexual Assault is defined as rape, attempted rape, unwanted touching of intimate parts of another person, or subjecting a person to physical sexual contact against her/his will or without her/his consent. A person who is unable to make a reasonable judgment concerning the nature or harmfulness of the activity because of his or her intoxication, unconsciousness, mental deficiency or incapacity, is considered incapable of giving consent.
   3. Sexual Harassment is defined as "unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature," (Equal Employment Opportunity Guidelines, 1980) which:
      • either explicitly or implicitly suggest that submission to such conduct is a condition of an individual's employment and/or academic performance;
      • indicate that submission to such conduct is used as the basis for employment or evaluation decision; and/or
      • have the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
   4. Hate crimes are expressions or actions which victimize a person or group as identified above and have one or more of the following impacts:
      • involves an expressed or implied threat to personal safety;
      • creates an intimidating, hostile, or demeaning environment; and/or
      • has the purpose or reasonably foreseeable effect of interfering with the full and free participation in the curricular or experiential life of the University (taken in part from the Social Policies and Regulations; Discriminatory Harassment, Kalamazoo College).
      • All forms of misconduct are equally prohibited. However, one category of offenses against persons deserves special mention here. Due to their heinous nature and potential for harm to individuals and to the community, offenses against persons which are motivated by bias towards race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or ability may be sanctioned more severely than misconduct which is not so motivated. Any such motivation must be proved by clear and convincing evidence. In addition to being unacceptable within the University community, hate crimes violate state and federal laws and perpetrators may face arrest by local authorities.
   5. Hazing is any action taken or situation created, whether on or off campus, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing includes but is not limited to:
      • any brutality of a physical nature, such as paddling, whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements;
      • forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance;
      • any other forced physical activity that would subject the individual to physical harm or mental stress, such as sleep deprivation or forced exclusion from social contact; and/or
      • forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity that would adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual.
      • Prohibited activities are identified as those that are forced or coerced activities which include but are not limited to the following:
        • create excessive fatigue;
        • cause physical and psychological shocks;
        • involve kidnapping;
        • involve morally questionable quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, or any other such activities;
        • involve publicly wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste;
        • cause students to engage in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, or late night activities which interfere with scholastic activities;
        • are in violation of federal, state, or local laws, this code of conduct, or accepted standards of good taste or propriety.
        
        
        For purposes of this definition, any activity described in this statement upon which the admission into or affiliation with an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a forced or coerced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.
   6. Harassment is defined as behaviors or actions that annoy, intimidate, impede the progress or have the effect of provoking anger, or otherwise interfere with the rights of another person.
   
   Offenses against the peace. Offenses against the peace include (1) intentionally or recklessly interfering with activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University, including but not limited to studying, teaching, research, administration, fire prevention, police activities, emergency services, student organizations or activities, or another's exercise of freedom expression, and (2) intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning, or threat of fire, explosion, or other emergency on Millikin premises or activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University.
   
   Offenses involving property. Offenses involving property include (1) intentionally or recklessly interfering with the property of another, including taking without permission, destroying, disfiguring, defacing, or damaging the property of another, or attempting to do such, on campus or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University; (2) theft of services, such as telephone or computer services, including copyrighted computer programs; (3) possessing stolen property; (4) occupying or using without authorization Millikin premises, facilities, or property; (5) using or attempting to use University property in a manner inconsistent with its designated purpose or without permission; and (6) theft, mutilation or gross disregard of Millikin property such as library or laboratory facilities or equipment.
   
   Offenses against Millikin. Offenses against Millikin include (1) intentionally furnishing false information to a University official; forgery; unauthorized alteration or unauthorized use of any University document, record (including computer records), or instrument of identification; (2) rioting, aiding, abetting, encouraging or participating in a mob action or inciting to mob action, when the conduct occurs on University or affiliated property or in the course of a University activity; (3) failing to cooperate with the reasonable requests of University officials, including campus security officers, when acting in performance of their duties; (4) failing to fulfill the requirements of any sanction imposed by Millikin University; (5) violating any published or posted rules or regulations including, but not limited to, those set forth in this handbook; (6) failing to appear at a disciplinary hearing or inquiry when called to do so by the Dean of Student Development (or his/her designee); (7) intentionally or recklessly destroying, disfiguring, defacing, or damaging University property; (8) unlawful taking or use of University property; (9) intentionally passing a bad or worthless check or money order in payment of any financial obligation to the University or in any way failing to meet the financial obligation to the University; (10) gambling or other illegal games or contests of chance, on University property or affiliated property; and (11) failure to take responsibility for the behavior of guests on University property or affiliated property, including but not limited to residence halls. A guest is defined as any person who is not a University staff, student, or faculty member.
   
   Offenses of possession. Offenses of possession include: (1) the unauthorized use, distribution, or possession of any controlled substance, illegal drug or drug paraphernalia on Millikin premises or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University; (2) violation of the University's Alcohol Policy; (3) unauthorized use, possession, or storage of any firearms on Millikin premises or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University; and (4) unauthorized use or possession of fireworks or explosives on Millikin premises or at activities sponsored by or affiliated with the University.
   
   Offenses of criminal conduct. Offenses of criminal conduct include actions that violate the laws of the federal government, the State of Illinois, or the City of Decatur.
   
   Other offenses. No code of conduct can anticipate every possible situation that will pose a threat to the University community. Therefore, any action that violates reasonable standards of expected human behavior or that reasonably threatens the safety or academic environment of the campus will also be considered a violation of these Standards of Conduct.
   
   Note: Academic Integrity is covered on Page 33.
   
   
4. Emergency Situations
   
   Emergency authority. Because situations may arise that are not fully covered by these Standards, the Dean of Student Development is granted the authority to exercise good judgment in emergency situations.
   
   Temporary rules and regulations. The Dean of Student Development shall have authority in emergency situations to issue temporary rules and regulations to prohibit inappropriate student conduct. The Dean of Student Development shall report his or her actions and the reasons for them to the full faculty at its next meeting. Such emergency rules and regulations shall remain in effect until they are withdrawn by the Dean or by action of the faculty.
   
   Summary suspension. The Dean of Student Development shall have the authority in emergency situations to summarily suspend a student's right to attend classes or to be present on campus, or on other property owned, operated, controlled by, or affiliated with the University prior to the conduct of a formal hearing. The Dean of Student Development shall determine whether a serious offense has in fact been committed, and whether the continued presence of the student on campus appears dangerous to property, to the student involved, or to others. These determinations must be made as matters of fact on the basis of evidence presented. A hearing of the matter shall be conducted to determine whether the student should be reinstated and the summary suspension removed.
   
   
5. Disciplinary Sanctions for Individuals
   
   Individuals found guilty of a violation of this code of conduct may receive a sanction of disciplinary warning, probation, suspension, or expulsion. They may also receive an additional sanction as outlined below. The sanction of expulsion shall be permanently recorded on the transcript. For students who have been suspended, the Registrar will, during the period of the suspension, send with the transcript a letter stating that the student has been suspended. The Registrar will send out information about no other disciplinary action than expulsion or suspension.
   
   Disciplinary warning. A disciplinary warning is a written statement of a student's guilt for a violation of this code of conduct with the caution that any future violation may result in more serious sanctions. Other sanctions may be imposed along with the warning.
   
   Disciplinary probation. Disciplinary probation is the conditional continuation of a student for a specified period of time. The period of disciplinary probation shall not exceed two semesters (a semester being defined in this context as a regular spring or fall academic term). This status implies that further violations of this code may result in disciplinary suspension or expulsion. Other sanctions may be imposed, and additional requirements may be imposed as conditions for reinstatement in good standing.
   
   Disciplinary suspension. Disciplinary suspension is the removal of a student from the University for a continuous period not to exceed seven semesters (a semester being defined in this context as a regular spring or fall academic term). Students on disciplinary suspension are not permitted to participate in any University activities, academic or nonacademic. They may not take part in any official exercise, including graduation. They are not allowed on Millikin premises during their suspension unless prior approval has been granted by the Dean of Student Development. Any request for the privilege of visiting Millikin University during the suspension must be received by the Dean of Student Development in writing seven days prior to the date the privilege is desired. It should be understood that submission of a request in no way guarantees approval. Students requesting reinstatement upon passing of the suspension period must schedule a meeting with the Dean of Student Development prior to being granted approval for reinstatement. Additional requirements may be imposed at the time of suspension as conditions for reinstatement in good standing.
   
   Disciplinary expulsion. Disciplinary expulsion is the permanent removal of a student from the University.
   
   Other sanctions. Additional sanctions may be applied to cover specific conditions or situations. The following are specific examples, but hearing bodies are not limited to these: restitution or replacement of lost, damaged, or stolen property; payment for damage or personal injury; suspension of privileges to participate in any activity sponsored by the University; suspension of privileges to use certain facilities; suspension of rights to represent the University; suspension of rights to occupy a position or office in a group or organization officially recognized by Millikin University; community service work to be assigned by the Dean of Student Development (or designee); referral for alcohol or drug abuse assessment and/or counseling; and mandatory periodic meetings with a dean or counselor. Sanctions that suspend students' privileges shall have a set time of duration indicating when and under what conditions students may regain the privilege.
   
   
6. Administrative Structure for Discipline:
   • The Dean of Student Development, Senior Student Affairs Officer, is the administrative officer who has the overall responsibility and authority to supervise the judicial processes at Millikin University. The training of appropriate boards and professional personnel and evaluation of policies and procedures, as well as their continued updating, is part of that responsibility.
   • The Dean of Student Development, the Director of Student Programs, the Director of Special Events/RTUC, the Assistant Director of Student Programs, the Assistant Dean of Student Development and the Area Coordinators have been delegated disciplinary authority to counsel, guide and assist in the discipline of those students who have violated the student code of conduct of Millikin University in their respective areas of responsibility. In handling disciplinary cases, Area Coordinators, Assistant Dean of Student Development, and Director of Student Programs are responsible to the Dean of Student Development.
   • The Millikin University Safety and Security Department complements the Student Development staff. Its responsibility on the campus relates to the safety and security of persons and property. The Director of Physical Plant Operations reports to the Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs.
   • Student Development staff members may be required in specific judicial proceedings to serve as the persons to present alleged violations and call witnesses and the accused in an effort to provide the hearing body with all the relevant information.
   • The Dean of Student Development has the right to decide how a case will be heard or which hearing body will preside over a specific case. This decision will be made in the best interest of the individuals involved. Under extraordinary circumstances, which would be defined to the case participants, hearing procedures may be revised to protect the psychological or physical needs of students.

Disciplinary System

Level one involves violations of the Standards of Conduct that occur on campus in the residence hall system or in the Greek system. Violations of University policies that occur in University residence halls, auxiliary houses/apartments and Greek houses are under the jurisdiction of the Dean of Student Development, assisted by the Assistant Dean of Student Development, any Director level staff member within the Division of Student Development, Area Coordinators in Residence Life, and the Assistant Director of Student Programs. Violations occurring in these facilities will be handled by the individuals within positions listed above, regardless of the residential status of the student. Students may appeal the decision to the Dean of Student Development.

All other level one violations will be administered by the Dean of Student Development and/or designee. Students wishing to appeal the decision at this level may do so in writing to the Vice President for Enrollment. The Vice President serves as the last appeal and his/her decision is final.

Level two involves repeated violations of the Standards of Conduct and/or of University policies. The hearing panel will make recommendations for sanctions to the Dean of Student Development. Appeals of decisions are made in writing to the Dean of Student Development. In more serious cases, where suspension or expulsion may be considered, the administrator conducting the hearing may involve a hearing panel of three to five people. The make up of the administrative hearing panel will be determined by the Dean of Student Development in consultation with the accused and the accuser. Only members of the full-time faculty or administrative staff may serve on an administrative hearing panel.

Appeals must be in writing and must have their basis in a lack of fair process in the prior hearing(s) or on new and substantive information not available or known during the prior hearing(s). Students may appeal the decision of the Dean of Student Development to the Vice President for Enrollment. The Vice President for Enrollment serves as the last appeal and his/her decision is final.

Right to be Informed

Students charged with violations of a University regulation will be informed of their University procedural rights by a University representative.

Procedures for Disciplinary Hearings

Administrative Hearing

Level One: A hearing conducted by a member of the Student Development staff, usually an Area Coordinator, Assistant Dean of Student Development, Director of Student Programs, Director of Special Events/RTUC, Assistant Director of Student Programs, or the Dean of Student Development. Level one hearings usually involve one or two of the above mentioned administrators, and in some cases in conjunction with other University officials, working directly with the student(s) charged with the violation(s).

Level Two: Usually conducted by the Dean of Student Development and may involve a hearing panel of three to five persons. For a level two administrative hearing, the student will receive a written statement of charges which will contain a summary of the facts or conduct on which the charge is based, date of the alleged violation, the University regulation(s) allegedly violated, and the names of witnesses (if any) to the alleged violation. The student will also be given a statement that explains his or her rights of fair process that contains the following:

"In all level two cases of students being accused of violations of University regulations, it is the University's desire to ensure the full right of fair process. Therefore, being a student who has been accused of a violation, you are hereby informed of your rights of fair process as outlined below. Please affix your signature in the space provided below to ensure that you have been properly informed, and return it to the Dean of Student Development."

• An appropriate University official shall notify you that you are accused of violating a University regulation(s) and of the basis for the charge(s).
• You may elect one of three courses of action:
  • You may admit the alleged violation(s) and request, in writing, that the University official take whatever action seems appropriate. Should you elect this course of action, you shall be notified that you may appeal the decision.
  • You may admit the alleged violation and request a hearing.
  • You may deny the alleged violation and request a hearing.
• At various times of the year it is difficult to call a Judicial Board together. During the times indicated, your case will be administratively determined. These times are:
  • The first two weeks of each semester
  • The last two weeks of each semester
  • Summer session between semesters
• At least 48 hours prior to a Judicial Board or administrative hearing, you are entitled to the following:
  • Written notification of the time and place of the hearing
  • A written statement of the charge(s)
  • Written notification of the names of the witnesses
• You may appear in person before the judicial body or administrative hearing panel, and may call witnesses on your behalf. You may also elect not to appear. Should you elect not to appear, the hearing may be held in your absence. Your failure to appear shall not be taken as indicative of guilt and must be noted without prejudice.
  • You may have a member of the University faculty or full-time University administrative staff member present with you during the hearing for the purpose of support and/or advice.
  • Under certain circumstances (as determined by the Dean of Student Development), you may have the right to be accompanied by legal counsel. In appropriate cases, counsel may advise you at the judicial or administrative hearing in a reasonable and non- disruptive manner. However, your legal counsel will not be permitted to participate in the hearing by making statements, questioning witnesses, or making procedural objections, unless otherwise allowed by the Dean of Student Development. If you would like to be accompanied by legal counsel, it is your responsibility to submit such a request (with an explanation why legal counsel is desired) to the Dean of Student Development at least 3 business days prior to the hearing; within 2 business days of receiving the request, the Dean will make a final decision whether to allow your request.
• You may have a private hearing, if requested. In hearings involving more than one student, separate hearings shall be allowed upon request.
• You may ask questions of the judicial body or of any witnesses to your alleged violation.
• You may refuse to answer questions (without implication of guilt).
• You are entitled to an expeditious hearing of your case.
• You are entitled to an explanation of the reasons for any decision rendered against you.
• You shall be notified of your right to appeal a disciplinary decision.

Standard of Proof

During deliberations, the hearing officer or judicial panel will determine whether it was more likely than not that a violation occurred.

Summary Sanctions

Suspension of a student and exclusion from University property may be imposed without the hearing procedure outlined in this section. The Dean of Student Development or designee may take this action if he/she is satisfied that serious misconduct has occurred and/or that the student's continued presence on the campus presents unreasonable risk of danger to himself/herself and/or to the community.

A student so sanctioned must leave the campus immediately. Students may have other sanctions imposed on a summary basis, as noted above, including, but not limited to, suspension from a campus position, prohibition against participation in a University activity, prohibition against presence in a residence hall, or a restriction from contacting, communicating, or otherwise interfering with the activities or privacy of another member or members of the Millikin community. Following the imposition of a summary sanction, a hearing will be conducted to determine whether the student should be reinstated and the summary sanctions removed.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STANDARDS

Academic Freedom

Millikin University requires that academic freedom be exercised in harmony with the specific character and objectives of the University, which are those of an institution of higher learning. In consequence, it expects the members of the faculty to be supportive of the Mission and Vision Statement of the University.

Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and scholarly/artistic activities. Academic freedom in scholarly/artistic activities is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental to protecting the rights of the faculty member in teaching and the student in learning. The common good to the individual faculty member and the University depends upon the search for truth and its free exposition. (Policies and Procedures: Faculty, 2006, section 1.2.1).

The intellectual and moral integrity of an academic community depends upon an uncompromising commitment to honesty to guide the actions of all its members. Any violation of this threatens the unrestricted and honest exchange of knowledge. It is the responsibility of every person in the academic community (students, faculty, and administrators) to see that dishonesty is not tolerated. This responsibility may also include reporting known or suspected violations to the appropriate authority (Policies and Procedures: Faculty, 2006, section 6.9).

Academic Evaluation

Students are responsible for maintaining all standards of academic performance established by their professors, but they will have the right to be heard through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. Students who believe that they have received an unfair grade or final evaluation should first confer with the instructor to resolve the disagreement. If a justifiable question remains in the student's mind, he/she may next confer with the chair/director of the faculty member's department who may investigate the matter, mediate between the student and instructor, or take any other reasonable action the chair/director believes may solve the disagreement. If there is still no resolution after meeting with the chair/director, the student may present the case to the dean of the school in which the course was offered. The Dean may consult with the departmental chair/director and the faculty member. The Dean will decide whether or not to begin a University investigation of the faculty member's grading practices. The faculty member reserves final judgment on all matters pertaining to student grades unless the administration is proceeding against the faculty member pursuant to Dismissal for Cause as written in the Faculty Policy and Procedures handbook. There shall be no further appeals beyond the Dean. If a faculty member has left the University and is unavailable or unwilling to respond to requests for grade changes, the chair/director or Dean, if necessary, shall have the power to change a grade.

Academic Integrity - Student Rights and Responsibilities

Academic institutions exist for the pursuit of truth and for development of students. As members of the academic community, students will be encouraged to develop a capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. Free inquiry, free expression and responsible use thereof are essential to any community of scholars.

Each member of the academic community has both rights and responsibilities that derive from the agreed standards of the community. By virtue of the student's basic purpose in joining the academic community, the primary right and responsibility of the student is to cherish and exercise the freedom to learn. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus and in the larger community. The responsibility to secure and respect general conditions conducive to freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community.

The Faculty has the right and the responsibility to hold students to high ethical standards in conduct and in works performed, as befits a scholar at the university. Violations of academic integrity are defined as follows:

Offenses involving academic integrity.

• Cheating on quizzes or examinations occurs when any student is found using or attempting to use any book, paper, or other article, or assistance from fellow students, or any other unfair or unlawful means, such use being intended to deceive the person in charge of the quiz or examination with reference to his or her work. No student may substitute for another student in any quiz or examination. No books, notes, papers or related articles shall be brought into or used at any quiz or examination unless specifically authorized by the person in charge. All such books, papers, or other authorized articles are subject to inspection, and no other use shall be made of books or papers than that authorized. The possession at any quiz or examination of any articles the use of which is prohibited will be regarded as evidence of guilt. Conversation or other communication between students in examinations and quizzes is forbidden.
• Collusion occurs when students willfully give or receive unauthorized or unacknowledged assistance. Both parties to the collusion are considered responsible.
• Electronic dishonesty is the unacknowledged or unauthorized appropriation of another's program, or the results of that program, in whole or in part, for a computer or electronic-related exercise or assignment.
• Grade falsification is any attempt to falsify an assigned grade in an examination, quiz, report, program, grade book, or any other record or document.
• Plagiarism is the unacknowledged appropriation of another's work or programs. Specifically, (1) students who use the exact words of another must enclose those words in quotation marks or show, through indentation or typestyle, that the material is quoted and indicate the source, either within the text of their work or in a footnote; (2) students who take ideas from another person or written work, but who either paraphrase those ideas in their own words or else make a few mechanical alterations (rearrange sentences, find synonyms, alter prepositions, punctuation, conjunctions, and the like) must also indicate the source, either within the text of their work or in a series of footnotes clearly indicating the extent of the material paraphrased; and (3) students may not turn in as their own work any materials written for them by another person or any commercially prepared materials, such as computer programs and term papers, purchased on or off campus.
• Other forms of academic dishonesty including (1) data falsification, fabrication of data or deceitful alteration of collected data as part of any academic assignment submitted as one's work for academic consideration; and (2) unauthorized copying of or collaborating on homework assignments and turning in as one's own work any part of another person's written exercise or computer program. Students who receive help from others on a project should acknowledge that help and specify the extent of it in the written report of that project.

Faculty members have the responsibility to investigate all suspected breaches of academic integrity that arise in their courses. They will make the determination as to whether the student violated the Academic Integrity Policy. Should the faculty member determine that the violation was intentional and egregious, he or she will decide the consequences, taking into account the severity and circumstances surrounding the violation, and will inform the student in writing, forwarding a copy of the letter to the Registrar and to the Dean of Student Development.

This letter will be destroyed when the student graduates from the University unless a second breach of integrity occurs, or unless the first instance is of sufficient magnitude to result in failure of the course, with an attendant XF grade recorded in the transcript. If an XF is assigned for the course, the faculty letter of explanation becomes a permanent part of the student's record. If a second violation occurs subsequent to the first breach of integrity, the Dean of Student Development will begin disciplinary and judicial processes of the University, as outlined in the Student Handbook.

If a student receives an XF for a course due to academic dishonesty, this remains as a permanent grade and cannot be removed from the transcript. However, students may repeat the course for credit toward graduation. Some programs and majors have more explicit ethical standards, which supercede this Policy, and violation of which may result in dismissal from some programs or majors within the University.