Academic Integrity
All violations of academic integrity will be reported through the Academic Integrity Violation Form (in Form Central> Employee Forms > Advising and Academic Support > Academic Integrity Violation). A student has the right to appeal each reported violation following the procedure listed below.
A first offense will be handled according to the consequences regarding individual acts of academic dishonesty or plagiarism detailed in each individual course syllabus. A student is required to meet with a representative from the Academic and Career Development Center, advisor, and faculty member who reported the offense. A student will be prohibited from course registration until the remediation is completed. A first offense is reported through the Form Central form by the faculty member.
A second offense of academic dishonesty as recorded by the Academic and Career Development Center will result in a final grade of failure (F) for the course which will supersede any withdrawal action by the student. In addition, the case will be brought forward by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee to a committee that consists of the following:
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Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, who will chair the committee
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College Dean
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Department Chair or Program Director (specific to the student’s program)
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Instructor of the course in which the academic dishonesty or plagiarism occurred
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Two faculty members, at least one of whom is outside of the student’s program, appointed by the Faculty Senate Chair
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Two graduate students appointed by the president of the Student Government Association or Dean of Students.
The committee will determine whether the student will receive either a one-year suspension or a permanent dismissal from the university. The student will receive a certified letter stating the committee’s decision. The decision of this committee is final and cannot be appealed.
STEPS TO APPEAL THE REPORTED VIOLATION OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND RELATED RAMIFICATIONS
A student may appeal a report of academic dishonesty solely and exclusively in accordance with the following procedures.
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Appeal to the Faculty Member.The student shall, in good faith, attempt to settle the disputed incident of dishonesty or plagiarism by meeting with the faculty member who reported the academic integrity violation. The student is responsible for bringing all relevant materials that support his or her appeal to this meeting.
During this meeting the faculty member and student will discuss the issue. This meeting shall be accomplished within three business days from the date of the notification of the offense unless additional time is requested and approved by the Dean. The faculty member will provide a written response to the student, Academic Division Director/Program Director, Dean of the College, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs within two business days. If the faculty member is unavailable, then the student will meet with the faculty member’s supervisor for that program/division.
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Appeal to the Academic Division Director/Program Director and Dean of the College. If the student is not satisfied with the result of his or her meeting with the faculty member or the program’s designee, he or she can appeal the decision to the Academic Division Director/Program Director and Dean. To do so the student shall submit a letter not to exceed two typed pages to the Academic Dean within three business days from the date of receiving the faculty member decision on the appeal unless additional time is requested and approved by the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. The letter must include an explanation of the disputed elements in the student’s reported dishonesty, and a clear statement of what outcome the student seeks. The student may attach materials previously submitted to the faculty member, but no additional materials are to be submitted. The Academic Division Director and/or Program Director or Dean will meet with the student within five business days after receipt of the letter. The Academic Dean will respond, in writing, to the student, faculty member and Vice President of Academic Affairs within two business days after the meeting. For first offenses the Academic Dean’s decision is final.
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Appeal to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (second offenses only). For students who have incurred a second offense and facing separation from the university, the student has the option of appealing to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. To activate this option, the student shall submit a written request to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs to convene an Academic Integrity Appeals Committee. The student shall submit the written request within two business days of receiving the decision of the Dean. The student may attach materials previously submitted to the Academic Division Director/Program Director and Dean, but no additional materials are to be submitted.
The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs shall convene the Academic Integrity Appeals Committee to consider the issues involved in the academic integrity dispute. The Academic Integrity Appeals Committee shall meet within five business days after the written request has been received by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The membership of the Academic Integrity Appeals Committee shall consist of the following:
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The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Chair.
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Two faculty members appointed by the chair of the Faculty Senate.
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Two graduate students appointed by the president of the Student Government Association or Dean of Students.
The student has the right to be accompanied by a support person to the Academic Integrity Appeals Committee meeting. Either party shall have the right to bring in witnesses necessary for the processing of the appeal. The student may not submit additional materials to the Appeals Committee. Since this is an internal grievance procedure, legal counsel shall not be involved in the process.
The Academic Integrity Appeals Committee shall notify the student, faculty member, Division Director and/or Program Director, and Dean of its decision in writing within five working days after considering the issue. The decision of the Academic Integrity Committee is final.
GENERAL PROVISIONS OF THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY APPEAL PROCESS
- It is desirable that a solution to an academic integrity appeal be reached at the level closest to the course in which the student reportedly exhibited a breach of integrity. The appeal shall be considered resolved when the solution offered is accepted by the student and further appeal is not requested or until a decision is made by the President.
- If the student does not act on the appeal process within the specified time limits, the appeal shall be considered settled based on the last decision rendered. If the student is not notified of a decision within the specified time limit, the appeal is automatically moved to the next step in the appeal process. Time limits may be extended by the mutual, written consent of both parties.
- When necessary, teleconferencing and videoconferencing may be used.
- Students, faculty members and administrators involved in the academic integrity appeal process shall act in an ethical manner and shall not be subject to discipline or reprisal because of such involvement.
- To protect all parties concerned, the strictest privacy shall be maintained by all parties involved.
Class Attendance
Classes for the academic year commence on the date announced on the university calendar and in the course schedule. Students are expected to attend class regularly and punctually. All students must attend class whenever an announced test, quiz, or oral or written examination is scheduled and whenever a report or paper is due, unless an extension is granted by the instructor prior to the scheduled session. If an instructor does not appear within 15 minutes of the scheduled class time, students may presume the class session was cancelled.
Instructors may establish specific attendance requirements in their own classes, with the option of lowering grades because of excessive absence. Specific attendance requirements and penalties will be stated in writing in the course syllabus and distributed to students during the first week of the course.
A student who judges that absence from a class session is necessary must assume responsibility for the decision. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange to make up work due to absence and to keep fully informed of class assignments, special activities and examinations in order to meet the requirements of the course. Student veterans are reminded that the government expects the university to use due diligence in checking the attendance of students receiving veteran’s benefits.
Emergency Notifications
The University uses Connect Ed, a campus-wide emergency notification system. This system can store several phone numbers and e-mail addresses for all members of the campus community and reaches all those numbers simultaneously. Students should be sure the Registrar’s Office has their most up-to-date cell phone numbers, land line numbers and e-mail address(es). Should an emergency arise on campus or should classes be cancelled for any reason, students will be notified through this system. If classes are cancelled, announcements will also be made on local radio and television stations as well as www.cancellations.com.
The university policy is to hold classes if at all possible. Students are to use personal discretion to determine whether or not they should come to class if the university does not cancel and they must travel a great distance in bad weather. If students miss a class due to weather-related issues, they are responsible for initiating the appropriate communication with the instructor prior to the class time and for making up any coursework that is missed.
Directed & Independent Study
Directed study and independent study options are available in cases of demonstrated and exceptional need. Students must request permission from the division/program director. These options are available to students seeking a degree certification from the University of Saint Francis. The student registers for and completes the course during a regular semester.
Directed Study (590)
The student investigates an academic topic for which there is no comparable course listed in the catalog.
Independent Study
The student takes a course listed in the catalog on a one-to-one basis with the instructor.
Cancellation of Courses
The university reserves the right to cancel courses.
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