Academic Integrity

The integrity of an academic program and degree rests on the principle that the grades awarded to students must reflect only their own individual efforts and achievement.

Students are required to perform the work specified by the instructor and are responsible for the content of work submitted, such as papers, reports, examinations, and other work. Violations of academic integrity include various types of plagiarism and cheating.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• Using exact words from a source without appropriate crediting
• Cutting and pasting electronically from any source without appropriate crediting
• Using wording and/or sentence structure too close to the original in paraphrasing
• Using visual images in whole or in part created by someone else
• Buying a paper and presenting any part of it as your own
• Borrowing any part of a paper and presenting it as your own without appropriate crediting
• Falsifying or inventing any information or citation in an academic exercise

Cheating

Cheating includes, but is not limited to:

• Obtaining or giving assistance in any academic work such as on quizzes, tests, homework, etc., without instructor’s consent
• Taking a test or course or turning in work for someone else
• Allowing someone to take a test or course or turn in work in your name
• Using crib notes or electronic devices to get unauthorized assistance on tests or other in-class work

Discipline for Violations of Academic Integrity

Any violations of academic integrity are addressed first by your instructor within the classroom. Your instructor has the discretion to determine the level of severity in setting the appropriate penalty.

• First Offense: Your instructor may reduce your grade in the assignment or test. Your instructor has the right to assign you a grade of F in the course as a result of cheating or plagiarism. Your instructor has the discretion to file a report. This will be reported to your Academic Dean and to the Dean of Students office.

• Second Offense: Your instructor has the right to assign you a grade of F in the course. This will be reported to your Academic Dean and the Dean of Students. You must meet with the Dean of Students.

• Third Offense: The Dean of Students will determine the appropriate penalty. Penalties can include, but is not limited to:
  • a grade of F in the course
  • recommendation of suspension from Hawkeye

The penalty of a grade of F takes precedence over a course withdrawal received by the Student Records and Registration office on the same day or later than the incident of academic dishonesty.

If you feel the penalty you received is unjust, you may request a review by the Academic Integrity Review Board. The board is composed of:

• Dean of Students (presiding)
• at least three faculty representatives selected from the Academic Standards and Issues Committee
• two Student Senate representatives
• Director of Student Records and Registration (serving ex officio)

The board will meet with you and your instructor to review the case and make recommendations to the Vice President of Academic Affairs who will determine the appropriate penalty.

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