Custodian of Policy: Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Relevant Minnesota State System Policy: Board Policy 3.6.1
Effective Date: April 2017
Last Review: April 2017
Next Review: 2024
Academic Honesty Policy
The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. In academic work, students are expected to present original ideas and give credit for the ideas of others.
- When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a failing grade may be assigned for the course in which the student cheated. When a failing grade is assigned for this reason, the instructor shall report the offense, the evidence, and their action to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
- If the instructor (or any other person) feels the seriousness of the offense warrants additional action, the incident may be reported to the Office of Student Conduct and Resolution.
Definitions
Cheating:
Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
- The use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations in the classroom or online learning environment.
- The use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments
- The acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of MSUM faculty or staff;
- Engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion
Plagiarism
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
- The use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment
- The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials or misrepresentation of student work in an online environment (i.e. submitting work prepared by someone else).
Procedures
The Office of Student Conduct and Resolution will follow procedures set out in the Student Conduct Code. After the review of the case and a fair, unbiased hearing, the Office of Student Conduct and Resolution may take disciplinary action if the student is found to be responsible. A student who has a course grade reduced by an instructor because of cheating or plagiarism, and who disputes the instructor's finding, may appeal the grade, but only by using the Grade Appeal Policy, which states that the student must prove the grade was arbitrary, prejudicial, or in error.
Rationale
The University is committed to the core value of integrity and mutual respect in our conduct and interactions. The value of a college degree, moreover, depends on the integrity of the work completed by the student.
