Faculty Resources for Academic Integrity

How To Report Academic Dishonesty

Before reporting Academic Dishonesty, please ensure your department chair is aware of the situation.

Then, submit a report using this form, SUBMIT A REPORT 

Make sure all supporting files (documents, images, ect.) pertaining to the reported incident are uploaded to the form before you submit the report. When all the evidence has been received, an appointment will be scheduled between the student and the Vice Provost for Academic Support.

Resources

Below are resources for faculty on how to minimize academic dishonesty in your classroom, procedures for what to do if you find a student cheating and other information. Please review the Standard of Conduct 200.010 Academic Dishonesty Procedures (Official Policy). 

  • State your expectations for paper writing, lab assignments and other projects, including whether students can use old  lab reports or instructor's manual to complete their assignments. Do you allow resources such as Wikipedia, the Writing Center, CliffsNotes or SparkNotes to write papers
  • Remind students several times, especially in introductory courses, about upcoming tests or projects, as well as resources available to them and preparation tactics they can use to help alleviate their anxiety.
  • Use multiple versions of exams, and avoid the use of "old" exams.
  • If applicable to your class, state your use of tools for plagiarism, such as TurnItIn.
  • Direct students to the Writing Center for assistance.
  • Define what you mean by collaboration on homework, labs, and other projects.
  • Explain rules of scholarship and why that is important.
  • Include any policies about re-grading and re-submission of assignments.
  • Consider including an Integrity of Scholarship Agreement for students to sign. 
  • Have students watch this quick overview about what constitutes plagiarism.

Use your class syllabus to promote academic integrity. Be sure to include what you expect regarding classroom conduct, what the policy is for academic integrity at Missouri S&T (http://registrar.mst.edu/academicregs/index.html), and your responsibility to report all suspected academic misconduct to the Vice Provost for Academic Support.

Also, refer students to the Missouri S&T Student Council-adopted Honor Code. (Note: This document was approved by the Missouri S&T Student Council in 2012 and has not necessarily been reviewed or approved by the UM Board of Curators or by the University of Missouri General Counsel.)

If a student is suspected of cheating during an examination, an instructor can make the academic judgment about the severity of the situation and take a variety of actions, such as:

  • Give a warning to the student or in some other way let the student know he/she is being watched
  • Move the student to another seat
  • Take notes about the observation (student's name and names of students sitting nearby) but let the student continue the exam
  • Take the student's exam not allowing the student to complete it

If proctors or teaching assistants observe the cheating, they should notify the instructor immediately. 

Save the original exams, papers or assignments when plagiarism or dishonesty are suspected. (Copies of the paperwork can be returned to the students.)

The instructor is encouraged to meet with the student one-on-one about any academic dishonesty.

This meeting should include the faculty  member's judgment for the behavior, based upon the academic standards communicated to the student in the course syllabus, catalogs, handbooks and other references. This may include a failing grade for the work submitted if the student's work has failed to meet the academic standards for that work, or a failing grade for the course if the student's work in the course has failed to meet the academic standards of the course.

Allow students suspected of academic dishonesty to continue in the course. Students cannot withdraw from the course while an academic misconduct charge is pending.

What Happens After Dishonesty is Reported to the Vice Provost for Academic Support?

  • The Vice Provost for Academic Support will meet with the student and has the option to impose an appropriate sanction on the student.
  • The student can either accept the discipline and sign the Acceptance of Discipline on Informal Disposition form or has the right to appeal the charge within seven days.
  • If a student rejects the proposed sanction, the case moves to a formal hearing before the Student Conduct Committee. This committee can impose sanctions upon students as well.

Sanctions

The following is a list of possible sanction. More than one of the sanctions may be imposed for any single violation.

  • Warning
  • Probation
  • Loss of Privileges
  • Discretionary Sanctions
  • University Dismissal
  • University Suspension
  • University Expulsion

Warning

A notice in writing to the student that the student violated institutional regulations.

Probation

A written reprimand for a designated period of time and includes the probability of more severe sanctions if other instances of academic dishonesty are discovered.

Loss of Privileges

Denial of specified privileges for a designated period of time.

Discretionary Sanctions

Work assignments, service to the university, or other related discretionary assignments.

University Dismissal

An involuntary separation of the student from the University; there is no definite time period attached to this sanction.

University Suspension

Separation of the student from the University for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified. 

University Expulsion

Permanent separation of the student from the University.

In ALL cases when academic dishonesty occurs, the instructor should notify the Vice Provost for Academic Support office. 
This process is important in dealing with repeat offenders.