VELI-SSMS Roselle Schools

Academic Honor Code Constitution:

Article I - - - Introduction:

Purpose:

The school is dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge through teaching and research. The school expects that its graduates will assume positions of leadership within their professions and communities.  Within this context, the school strives to develop and maintain a high level of ethics and honesty among all members of its community.  Imperative to this goal is the commitment to truth and academic integrity.  The Academic Honor Code confirms this commitment.

Adherence to the Academic Honor Code promotes the level of integrity required within the school and professional communities and assures students that their work is being judged fairly with the work of others.

An environment which promotes academic integrity is created by students, faculty members and administrators working together to support the principles of the Academic Honor Code.  

The essential quality of this Code is that each student shall demonstrate honesty and integrity in the completion of all assignments and in the participation of the learning process. This Code defines those behaviors that violate the principle of academic integrity, describes a range of appropriate sanctions for offenses, and identifies the method for promoting the principle of academic integrity on campus.

Academic integrity shall be emphasized throughout the student's career. Letters informing students of their admission to the school, or of their permission to enroll in one or more classes, shall refer to the Academic Honor Code and include the Honor Code Agreement.

Students shall be required to sign the following Honor Code Agreement, which will be distributed for signature and returned to the Dean of Students .

1.  As a student I, ____________________________ will conduct myself in a professional manner and will comply with the provisions of the Academic Honor Code.  I also understand that I must subscribe to the following pledge on major work (when required by the instructor) submitted for credit as described in the Academic Honor Code: “On my honor, I pledge that I have not violated the provisions of the Academic Honor Code.”

2. I understand that if I do not include this pledge, as required by the teacher, with my signature, the instructor will not grade my work.  In those instances where there is an unintentional omission, I shall be given an opportunity to correct it by signing the Pledge.  I recognize that the Academic Honor Code applies to all work attempted, whether or not the Honor Pledge is required, and that I am expected to submit only my own work at all times.

3. I have read and understand my responsibilities as outlined in Article 2, 1. Of the Academic Honor Code, and will, to the best of my ability, comply with those responsibilities.

SIGNED __________________________________

DATE: ____________________________________

Print your name: ____________________________

Social Security or ID # _______________________

Definitions:

Terms defined in the Professional Conduct Code also apply to the Academic Honor Code.  

The term cheating means deceiving or attempting to deceive by misrepresenting that one has learned information pertinent to an academic exercise. The term fabrication means using or attempting to use invented or false information in an academic exercise. The term plagiarism means using or attempting to use written, oral or graphic work that was authored or prepared by another and submitting it as one's own.

Article II - - - Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the Student:

Every student must comply with all the principles and regulations of the Academic Honor Code and must sign the Academic Honor Code Agreement prior to attending class.  The admission process shall not be considered complete until the student has signed the Academic Honor Code Agreement.  Signed agreements are sent to the Dean of Students .  

Every student is obligated to report any alleged violation(s) of the Academic Honor Code, which s/he believes, has occurred by bringing it to the attention of any of the following:

a) Appropriate faculty member or teacher.

b) Respective academic department chairperson or student advisor.

c) Dean of Students .

d) Representative of the Student Group.

e) Member of the Honor Commission.

f) The appropriate judicial body when requested.

Every student is required to write, sign and date the following pledge on all major work submitted (as required by the instructor):

On my honor, I pledge that I have not violated the provisions of the Academic Honor Code.  

Failure to write and sign the pledge as required will result in the student's work not receiving a grade.  In those instances where there is an unintentional omission, the student shall be given an opportunity to correct it by signing the Pledge.

Responsibilities of the Faculty:

The responsibilities of faculty apply equally to all faculties, instructing staff and all persons who have instructor status in the classroom, such as teaching assistants.

The faculty shall assist in the orientation of new faculty members, teaching assistants and part-time instructors by explaining the purpose and operation of the Academic Honor Code.  A copy of the Code shall be made available to each instructor.   

All faculty will make available on major work submitted for credit the Academic Honor Code Pledge to be signed by the student.   In those instances where the student inadvertently fails to sign the pledge, the instructor shall give the student another opportunity to sign the pledge.  

Faculty members are required to provide to the best of their ability an environment which contributes to ethical and professional behavior by students and which encourages adherence to the Academic Honor Code.  

Faculty should remind students of the serious intent of the Academic Honor Code.  Instructors shall specify how the Academic Honor Code applies in special circumstances, such as working in groups, with lab partners, doing homework, and any other work submitted.  

If, at any time, a student makes a charge of a violation of the Academic Honor Code concerning another student to an instructor, that instructor is obligated to report the matter to the Dean of Students.   

When a faculty member charges that a student has behaved in an unprofessional or unethical manner, or has violated the provisions of the Academic Honor Code, the faculty member shall implement the action prescribed in this document.            

Responsibilities of Department Chairpersons

or Academic Advisors:

When a charge of a violation of the Academic Honor Code is brought to a department chairperson or academic advisor, s/he shall notify the Dean of Students.

Responsibilities of the Student Senate:

Provide proper guidance to the student(s) on the procedures available to respond to charges of a violation of the Academic Honor Code and reasonably assist the student(s) in taking the next step in resolving the incident brought forth.  

Periodically review the Academic Honor Code Constitution and its implementation, and make recommendations to the Faculty and administration of the school.  

Maintain responsibility for seeing that all activities of their organizations fall within the guidelines of this Code.

Responsibilities of the Administration:

Coordinate all efforts to gather information on every case brought to the Administration.  

Advise each person involved in a potential case of violation the procedures that are to be followed and of the rights of the respondent as set forth in the Professional Conduct Code and this document.  

In those cases where the alleged violation of the Academic Honor Code can be resolved according to school procedures in an Informal Hearing with the student(s) and faculty involved, the Administration shall conduct a hearing which reflects the intent and purpose of the Academic Honor Code and is fair to all.   

Take the necessary action to bring violations of the Academic Honor Code to the Committee on Professional Conduct as appropriate.   

In the case of a hearing by the Committee on Professional Conduct, take appropriate action to assure that all relevant evidence is presented to the Committee at its hearing, and that all persons with direct knowledge of the matter appear before the Committee.  

Maintain the student personnel files containing the details of each case in which a violation was determined to have occurred, as well as maintain additional records of the Honor Commission.

Responsibilities of the Committee on Professional Conduct:

In accordance with the Professional Conduct Code and this document, the Committee shall conduct a fair hearing for all persons who appear before it and consider only the evidence presented during the hearing to make its judgment.

Inform all persons who appear before the judicial body of their rights under the provisions of the Professional Conduct Code and this document, and of their right to appeal to the Committee on Student Appeals.  The same information shall be included in written notifications following the hearing.

Article III- - Violations against the Academic Honor Code:   

Violations of Academic Integrity & Range of Sanctions

Violations of academic integrity are grouped into four general categories, based upon the degree of seriousness of the offenses. Descriptions of the violations and the range of sanctions within these categories are provided below.  In addition to these sanctions, those stated in the Professional Conduct Code may be applied concurrently.  

Repeated offenses of academic integrity (for the same level of incident) shall be treated at the level above (in seriousness) the original (or previous) offense.

The disciplinary action(s) imposed by the Committee on Professional Conduct will not appear on the student's transcript, except in cases of suspension or expulsion.  In the case of suspension, the transcript notation will be removed when the student is eligible to return to the school.

The school reserves the right to adjudicate alleged violations either during the academic term when the incident occurs, or after that term, and may revoke a degree that was awarded before the violation was adjudicated.

Categories Based on Seriousness of the Offense:

These are the most serious violations for which sanctions range from suspension to expulsion from the school.  Student organizations engaged in a violation(s) may face revocation of official recognition from the school.  These violations of academic integrity generally, but don't necessarily have to, entail advanced planning, may include conspiring with others or involve a substantial part of credit awarded in the course (normally one third or more).  

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

Taking an examination for another student.  

Unauthorized transmitting of examination material before an examination.

Minimum : Suspension

These are serious violations for which sanctions range from failure in the course and disciplinary probation to suspension from the school. Student organizations may face temporary suspension from the school.  These violations of academic integrity generally, but don't necessarily have to, entail advanced planning or involve a significant part of credit awarded in the course (normally one quarter to less than one-third).  Examples may include, but are not limited to:  

Premeditated cheating on an examination.   

Failing to acknowledge that the work submitted for credit is the work of collaboration.  

Permitting one's work to be submitted by another student for his/her credit.  

Giving or receiving unfair aid in the completion of an assignment.

Minimum: Failure course & disciplinary probation

These are significant violations for which sanctions range from failure in the specific work submitted and disciplinary probation to failure in the course and disciplinary probation (disciplinary probation is assigned by the Administration. Examples may include:

Cheating on an examination (not premeditated).   

Copying laboratory projects; falsely reporting, or tampering with laboratory data.  

Failing to acknowledge that the work submitted for credit is the work of collaboration.   

Giving or receiving unfair aid in the completion of an assignment.   

Permitting another student to copy work during an examination.  

Submission of the same work for more than one course without the permission of the instructor(s).   

Using material prohibited from the examination, e.g. calculator when prohibited by instructor.  

Minimum : Failure in the specific work submitted & disciplinary  probation

These are significant violations for which sanctions range from disciplinary probation to failure in the specific work submitted and disciplinary probation (disciplinary probation is assigned by the Administration.) These violations of academic integrity may occur because of ignorance or inexperience on the part of the individual(s) committing the violation and involve a minor part of the credit awarded in the course.  Examples include:  

Copying homework assignment(s) and submitting it for credit.  

Impeding student access to reference material, i.e. keeping reference material.  

Failing to report students violating the Honor Code.  

Giving or receiving unfair aid in the completion of an assignment.  

Minimum : Disciplinary Probation

Article IV - - - Procedures:

Filing a Charge:

Procedures for filing a charge by a student, faculty member or administrator are specified in the Professional Conduct Code. The instructor of the course in which a violation has been reported shall be informed of the allegation (if not originally reported to him/her) and the details as known.

Initial Review, Decision and Action(s):

The instructor will first discuss the allegation with the accused student(s) and the individual(s) who filed the charge, determine whether a violation has occurred or may consult with the department chairperson or associate chairperson, faculty colleagues, the office of the Administration, or a member of the Honor Commission before determining a course of action to resolve the alleged offense. If the conclusion is that a violation did occur and the sanction may include up to failure in the specific work submitted, as specified within the guidelines of this document (Article 3,  2. Level 4), the faculty member may assign the appropriate penalty.

He/she will inform the student immediately, in writing, of the decision, the basis for it, and the right of the student to request that the matter be resolved in a hearing. A copy of the letter shall be sent to the department chairperson and the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students shall determine the length of disciplinary probation.

Second Review, Decision and Action(s):

Normally, a Second Review occurs when:

The student(s) requests that the matter be resolved in a hearing;

The Dean of Students  determines that the student(s) involved has a record of violation(s) of school regulations; or

The recommendation for a sanction beyond failure in the specific work submitted is made by the instructor or these guidelines. Student(s) requesting a hearing must do so within five business days of receipt of the letter, and in writing to the Dean of Students . The Dean of Students  shall inform the student and instructor of the date, time, location and nature (whether Informal or Formal) of the Hearing.

Article V - - - The Honor Commission:

Membership:

There shall be an Honor Commission comprised of five students, four faculty members and three administrators. Student members must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Faculty and administrative members must be full-time employees of the School. Normally persons shall be appointed to three year terms, arranged such that new members would constitute approximately one-third of the Commission's membership.

Elections and Appointments:

The Student Senate shall appoint student members. The Dean of Students shall appoint faculty members.

The Commission may recommend to the appointing source impeachment of a member for neglect of duty. Such action requires a two-thirds vote of the Commission.

Members will remain active on the Commission until replaced according to the procedures described above, or upon leaving the school. The Commission may continue to function temporarily while new members are appointed.

Officers and Duties:

Officers of the Honor Commission shall include:

a) The Chair.

b) The Vice-Chair.

c) The Publicity Coordinator.

d) The Corresponding/Recording Secretary.

The Executive Committee, comprised of these officers, shall be elected at the first meeting of the Commission in the Fall semester and shall be made up of one person from each constituency listed above.

Duties of the Chair include:

a) Calling and presiding over all meetings of the Honor Commission.

b) Coordinating activities, such as educational programs and reports of the Honor Commission.

c) Informing the appropriate constituencies of the need to replace Commission members.

d) Acting as liaison to appropriate school groups.

Duties of the Vice-Chair include:

a) Presiding over all meetings and Commission events in the absence of the Chair.

c) Preparing a draft of the Commission's annual report.

Duties of the Publicity Coordinator shall include:

a) Overseeing publicity regarding issues of academic integrity and the Academic Honor Code.

Duties of the Corresponding/Recording Secretary shall include:

a) Recording and maintaining a record of the minutes of the meetings.

Responsibilities of Commission Members

Creating and implementing educational programs and publicity which promote throughout the campus the principles of academic integrity and the operation of the Academic Honor Code.

Informing students and faculty and staff members of the purpose and operation of the Academic Honor Code.

Assisting in the design and instruction of a non-credit seminar on Academic Integrity.

Consulting with students, faculty members and administrators on issues of academic integrity at the school.

Informing the Dean of Students  if a faculty member fails to respond to student report(s) of violations of the Academic Honor Code.

Providing an annual report to the Student Senate and the Faculty on standards, policies and procedures regarding academic  integrity, recommendations for changes in the Academic Honor Code and a summary of the Commission's activities.

Participating in training programs as appropriate.

Article VI - - - Amendments:

Any amendment to this Constitution, other than a procedural change, must be adopted by a minimum of a two-thirds vote of the Student Senate and a majority vote of the Faculty.