ACultureofHonesty

TheUniversityofGeorgia’sAcademicHonestyPolicy

honesty.uga.edu

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 1

TABLEOFCONTENTS

Introduction...........................................................................................................................2StudentHonorCode...............................................................................................................3DefinitionsforPurposesofthisPolicy....................................................................................3RequiredConduct...................................................................................................................5ProhibitedConduct................................................................................................................6ExamplesofAcademicDishonesty........................................................................................6Plagiarism.........................................................................................................................6UnauthorizedAssistance...................................................................................................6Lying/Tampering...............................................................................................................7Theft................................................................................................................................8Other................................................................................................................................8

ProceduresforResolvingMattersofAllegedAcademicDishonesty........................................8ActionPriortoAnyFinding...................................................................................................8FacilitatedDiscussion............................................................................................................8ContinuedDiscussion............................................................................................................9ActiononDeterminationofInnocence................................................................................10MultipleViolationsReviewBoard........................................................................................10Appeal................................................................................................................................11

ConsequencesforHonestyViolations....................................................................................12FacilitatedDiscussion..........................................................................................................12Student’sRightofRescission...............................................................................................12AcademicHonestyPanel.....................................................................................................12MultipleViolationsReviewBoard........................................................................................13EffectiveDateforSuspension,DismissalorExpulsion..........................................................13FailuretoComplywithConsequences.................................................................................14

RelationshiptoNon-AcademicMisconductPolicy.................................................................14LawSchool............................................................................................................................14MandatoryAnnualReportonAcademicHonestyCases.........................................................14AccesstoRecords..................................................................................................................14FacilitatedDiscussionModelforResolvingAcademicHonestyIssues....................................15

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 2

IntroductionTheUniversityofGeorgia(theuniversity)seekstopromoteandensureacademichonestyandpersonalintegrityamongstudentsandothermembersoftheuniversitycommunity.Academichonestyisdefinedbroadlyandsimply-theperformanceofallacademicworkwithoutcheating,lying,stealing,orreceivingassistancefromanyotherpersonorusinganysourceofinformationnotappropriatelyauthorizedorattributed.Academichonestyisvitaltotheveryfabricandintegrityoftheuniversity.Allstudentsmustcomplywithanappropriateandsoundacademichonestypolicyandcodeofhonestbehavior.Allmembersoftheuniversitycommunityareresponsibleforcreatingandmaintaininganhonestuniversity,andallmustworktogethertoensurethesuccessofthepolicyandcodeofbehavior.Allmembersoftheuniversitycommunityareresponsibleforknowingandunderstandingthepolicyonacademichonesty.ACultureofHonesty,theacademichonestypolicyandproceduresoftheUniversityofGeorgia,willbemadereadilyavailabletoallstudentsandinstructorstoensureunderstandingoftheacademichonestysystemanditsproperfunctioning.ThecompletepolicyisavailablethroughtheInternetat:honesty.uga.edu.Itistheresponsibilityofallmembersoftheuniversitycommunitytobeinformedconcerningthispolicy.Wheresuspectedviolationsoftheacademichonestypolicyoccur,appropriateproceduresaredesignedtoprotecttheacademicprocessandintegritywhileensuringdueprocess.Theacademichonestysystemisanacademicprocessfoundedoneducationalopportunities,notajudicialprocessfocusedonadjudications.Thispolicyisadoptedbytheuniversitytofurtheritsacademicmission.Intheinterestoffairness,thepolicyrequiresnoticetoastudentwhoisbelievedtohaveviolatedthispolicy,providesforaFacilitatedDiscussionbetweenthestudentandtheinstructortoseekafairresolution,andifnoresolutioncanbefound,allowsforaContinuedDiscussionwithanAcademicHonestyPanel.Theseproceduresaredesignedto1)protecttherightsandinterestsofstudentsandothermembersoftheuniversitycommunity,2)guaranteefundamentalfairnesstoall,and3)ensureorder.Theforumsusedinacademichonestymattersareintendedtoenhanceeducationalopportunitieswhileprovidingappropriateconsequenceswhenacademicdishonestyoccurs.Thegoalsofthisacademichonestypolicyareto:1. Fosteracultureofacademichonestyintheuniversitycommunity.2. Maintaintheintegrityandacademicreputationoftheuniversity.3. Processfairlyandconsistentlymattersrelatedtoacademicdishonesty.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 3

StudentHonorCodeTheacademichonestypolicyoftheuniversityissupplemented(notreplaced)byanHonorCodewhichwasadoptedbytheStudentGovernmentAssociationandapprovedbytheUniversityCouncilMay1,1997,andprovides:”Iwillbeacademicallyhonestinallofmyacademicworkandwillnottolerateacademicdishonestyofothers.”AllstudentsagreetoabidebythiscodebysigningtheUGAAdmissionsApplication.DefinitionsforPurposesofthisPolicyAcademicHonestymeansperformingallacademicworkwithoutplagiarism,cheating,lying,tampering,stealing,givingorreceivingunauthorizedassistancefromanyotherperson,orusinganysourceofinformationthatisnotcommonknowledgewithoutproperlyacknowledgingthesource.AcademicDishonestymeansperforming,attemptingtoperform,orassistinganyotherpersoninperforminganyacademicworkthatdoesnotmeetthisstandardofacademichonesty.AcademicWorkmeansanyactperformedinconnectionwithworkrequiredtobesubmitted,beingpreparedtobesubmitted,oractuallysubmittedforacademicadvancementinconnectionwithcoursesandprogramsofferedbytheuniversity.Academicworkincludes,butisnotlimitedto,dissertations,theses,examinations,exercises,quizzes,termpapers,requireddraftsofassignments,requiredattendance,reports,performances,presentations,artwork,laboratorywork,andscientificexperiments.Academicworkcantakeanyformincluding,butnotlimitedto,written,oral,magneticorelectronicform.Academicworkincludes,butisnotlimitedto,workinconnectionwithregularuniversitycoursesorprogramofstudy(whetherconductedattheAthenscampusorotherUGAlocation),independentstudycoursesatanylocation,onlinecourses,orstudyabroadcoursesofferedbytheuniversity.AcademicHonestyPanelmeansanygroupofpanelistsdesignatedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontoreviewaparticularaccusationofdishonesty.ContinuedDiscussionpanelsshallbemadeupofthreestudentsandtwofacultymembersoneachpanel.Inanycaseinvolvingagraduatestudent,atleasttwostudentpanelistsshallbegraduatestudentsandatleastonefacultypanelistshallbeamemberofthegraduatefaculty.Inanycaseinvolvingapharmacystudent,atleasttwostudentpanelistsandonefacultypanelistshallbefromtheCollegeofPharmacy.InanycaseinvolvingaCollegeofVeterinaryMedicinestudentintheDVMprogram,atleasttwostudentpanelistsandonefacultypanelistshallbefromtheCollegeofVeterinaryMedicine.AdvisormeansanindividualwhoassistsaninstructororstudentinpreparingforaContinuedDiscussionorameetingwiththeMultipleViolationsReviewBoard.

This policy covers any UGA student (undergraduate, graduate, professional, full-time or part-time student) who was enrolled at the university at the time the student performed the academic work in question.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 4

ChairmeansastudentmemberofeachAcademicHonestyPanelorMultipleViolationsReviewBoardselectedbythepanelorboardasthepresidingofficer.Daymeansanycalendardayinwhichtheuniversityoperates,excludingSaturday,Sunday,anduniversityholidays.TheofficialacademiccalendaroftheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionshallbecontrollingforpurposesofdeterminingwhichdaysareuniversityholidays.Whenacertainactmustbecompletedwithinacertainnumberofdaysfollowingaspecifiedbeginningdate,thebeginningdateshallbeexcludedincomputingtheduedate.DismissalmeansaminimumofthreeconsecutivesemestersaftertheterminwhichthecurrentviolationoccurredduringwhichthedismissedstudentisnotallowedtobeenrolledattheUniversityofGeorgia.ClassestakenbythestudentatanotherschoolduringthedismissalperiodwillnotbecreditedtowardaUGAdegreeorcalculatedinthestudent’soverallGPA.ReadmissionfromdismissalisnotautomaticbutdeterminedbythePetitionsSubcommitteeoftheEducationalAffairsCommittee.Appealsforreadmissionmustbewrittenandsignedbythestudentandincludeinformationabouttheacademichonestyviolation(s).Expulsionmeanspermanentseparationofthestudentfromtheuniversity.Facilitatormeansaninstructor,staffmember,administrator,orgraduatestudentcertifiedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontoassistaninstructorandstudentinafairandfocusedDiscussionortomoderateaContinuedDiscussion.InthecaseofContinuedDiscussions,theFacilitatorisnotamemberoftheAcademicHonestyPanel,doesnotvotetodeterminewhetheraviolationoccurredanddoesnotparticipateintheprivatedeliberationsofthePanel.TheFacilitatorisauthorizedtodecideallproceduralmatterspriortoandduringDiscussion.Instructorforpurposesofreportingpossibleacademicdishonesty,meansanymemberoftheuniversitycommunityapprovedtoinstructormonitorinstructionofstudents.MultipleViolationsReviewBoardmeansagroupoftwofacultymembersandonestudentselectedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontodetermineconsequencesforstudentswithmultipleviolationsoftheuniversity’sacademichonestypolicy.Eachacademicyear,theOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionwillselectfourfacultymembersandthreestudentsfromthepoolofcertifiedAcademicHonestyPaneliststoserveinthisrole.PanelistmeansanystudentorfacultymemberappointedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontoserveonanAcademicHonestyPanel.AllpanelistsmustbecertifiedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionasqualifiedandwillingtoserve.Allpanelistsmusthavecompletedanorientationsessionaboutthispolicy.Facultypanelistsmustbetenuredortenure-track.Studentpanelistsmustbecurrentlyenrolledattheuniversityandprovideawrittenaffirmationthattheyhavenotviolatedthepolicyofacademichonestyatthisuniversityoranyotherinstitution.Thepanelist’sapplicationconstitutesauthorizationtotheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontoverifytheaccuracyofthatcertification.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 5

SubsequentViolationmeansanadditionalviolationwhichoccurredafterapreviousviolationhasbeenresolvedeitherbyagreementafteraFacilitatedDiscussionorbyaPanelafteraContinuedDiscussion.Suspensionmeansadefinedtermofatleastonesemesterinwhichastudentisnotallowedtobeenrolledattheuniversity.ClassestakenbythesuspendedstudentatanotherschoolduringtheperiodofsuspensionwillnotbecreditedtowardaUGAdegreeorcalculatedinthestudent’soverallGPA.Whentheperiodofsuspensionhasbeencompleted,thestudentmayreturntotheuniversityifhe/shemeetsUGAenrollmentrequirements.RequiredConductMembersoftheUniversityCommunity.AnymemberoftheuniversitycommunitywhohaspersonalknowledgeoffactsrelatingtoanallegedviolationofthispolicyhasaresponsibilitytoreportthatallegedviolationtotheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionasprovidedinthispolicy.Requiredconductincludes,butisnotlimitedto,participatinginadiscussionwiththestudentbelievedtohaveviolatedthepolicyandtruthfullyansweringquestionsandprovidingdocumentationofthemattertoanAcademicHonestyPanel.Instructors.ThispolicyprovidestheexclusiveprocedureforhandlingmattersrelatedtostudentacademicdishonestyattheUniversityofGeorgia.InstructorshavearesponsibilitytoreportallegedviolationstotheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionasprovidedinthispolicy,andshoulddosowithinfifteen(15)daysofdiscoveringthepossibleviolation.Instructorsshallhavetheresponsibilitytotakereasonablestepstoinformstudentsoftheacademichonestyrulesthatapplytoparticularacademicworkandthespecifictypesofacademicassistancethatarepermissibleinconnectionwiththatacademicwork.Additionally,eachinstructorshalltakereasonablestepstofosteraclimateofacademichonesty.Thefailureofaninstructortomeettheseresponsibilities,however,shallnotbeadefensetoanaccusationofacademicdishonestyagainstastudent.Students.Theenrollmentofastudentattheuniversityconstitutesthestudent’sagreementtobeboundbythispolicy.Everystudenthasanobligationtobeinformedconcerningthetermsofthispolicy.Lackofknowledgeoftheprovisionsofthispolicyisnotanacceptableresponsetoanallegationofacademicdishonesty.RelatedFacultyandStaffConductPolicies.Anydisciplineofamemberoftheuniversitycommunityotherthanastudentforviolationofthispolicyshallproceedunderpoliciesoftheuniversityapplicabletofacultyandstaffconduct.

The procedures described in A Culture of Honesty are designed to protect the rights and interests of the student and the instructor`.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 6

ProhibitedConductNostudentshallperform,attempttoperform,orassistanotherinperforminganyactofdishonestyonacademicworktobesubmittedforacademiccreditoradvancement.Astudentdoesnothavetointendtoviolatethehonestypolicytobefoundinviolation.Forexample,plagiarism,intendedorunintended,isaviolationofthispolicy.ExamplesofAcademicDishonesty.Thefollowingactsbyastudentareexamplesofacademicallydishonestbehavior:a.Plagiarism-Submissionforacademicadvancementthewords,ideas,opinionsortheoriesofanotherthatarenotcommonknowledge,withoutappropriateattributiontothatotherperson.Plagiarismincludes,butisnotlimitedto,thefollowingactswhenperformedwithoutappropriateattribution:i.Directlyquotingallorpartofanotherperson'swrittenorspokenwordswithoutquotationmarks,asappropriatetothediscipline;ii.Paraphrasingallorpartofanotherperson'swrittenorspokenwordswithoutnotesordocumentationwithinthebodyofthework;iii.Presentinganidea,theoryorformulaoriginatedbyanotherpersonastheoriginalworkofthepersonsubmittingthatwork;iv.Repeatinginformation,suchasstatisticsordemographics,whichisnotcommonknowledgeandwhichwasoriginallycompiledbyanotherperson;v.Purchasing(orreceivinginanyothermanner)atermpaperorotherassignmentthatistheworkofanotherpersonandsubmittingthattermpaperorotherassignmentasthestudent'sownwork.b.Unauthorizedassistance-Givingorreceivingassistanceinconnectionwithanyexaminationorotheracademicworkthathasnotbeenauthorizedbyaninstructor.Duringexaminations,quizzes,labwork,andsimilaractivity,studentsaretoassumethatanyassistance(suchasbooks,notes,calculators,andconversationswithothers)isunauthorizedunlessithasbeenspecificallyauthorizedbyaninstructor.Examplesofprohibitedbehaviorinclude,butarenotlimitedto,thefollowingwhennotauthorized:i.Copying,orallowinganothertocopy,answerstoanexamination;ii.Transmittingorreceiving,duringanexamination,informationthatiswithinthescopeofthematerialtobecoveredbythatexamination(includingtransmissionorally,inwriting,bysign,electronicsignal,orothermanner);

In foreign language courses the use of an online translation program is generally considered academic dishonesty.

The submission of another person’s computer code, tables, photographs or charts without appropriate attribution to the author is plagiarism.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 7

iii.Givingorreceivinganswerstoanexaminationscheduledforalatertime;iv.Completingforanother,orallowinganothertocompleteforyou,allorpartofanassignment(suchasapaper,exercise,homeworkassignment,presentation,report,computerapplication,laboratoryexperiment,orcomputation);v.Submittingagroupassignment,orallowingthatassignmenttobesubmitted,representingthattheprojectistheworkofallofthemembersofthegroupwhenlessthanallofthegroupmembersassistedsubstantiallyinitspreparation;vi.Unauthorizeduseofaprogrammablecalculatororotherelectronicdevice.c.Lying/Tampering-Givinganyfalseinformationinconnectionwiththeperformanceofanyacademicworkorinconnectionwithanyproceedingunderthispolicy.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto:i.Givingfalsereasons(inadvanceorafterthefact)forfailuretocompleteacademicwork.Thisincludes,forexample,givingfalseexcusestoaninstructorortoanyuniversityofficialforfailuretoattendanexamortocompleteacademicwork;ii.Falsifyingtheresultsofanylaboratoryorexperimentalworkorfabricatinganydataorinformation;iii.Alteringanyacademicworkafterithasbeensubmittedforacademiccreditandrequestingacademiccreditforthealteredwork,unlesssuchalterationsarepartofanassignment(suchasarequestofaninstructortorevisetheacademicwork);iv.Alteringgrade,lab,orattendancerecords.Thisincludes,forexample,theforgeryofuniversityformsforregistrationinorwithdrawalfromacourse;v.Damagingcomputerequipment(includingremovablemediasuchasdisks,CD’s,flashdrives,etc.)orlaboratoryequipmentinordertoalterorpreventtheevaluationofacademicwork,unauthorizeduseofanother'scomputerpassword,disruptingthecontentoraccessibilityofanInternetsite,orimpersonatinganothertoobtaincomputerresources;vi.Givingorencouragingfalseinformationortestimonyinconnectionwithacademicworkoranyproceedingunderthispolicy;

Cell phones should be turned off and put away during class. If a cell phone is visible to the instructor during tests or quizzes, the student may be reported for academic dishonesty.

Signing an attendance sheet for another student who isn’t in class is a violation of the academic honesty policy.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 8

vii.Submittingforacademicadvancementanitemofacademicworkthathasbeensubmitted(evenwhensubmittedpreviouslybythatstudent)forcreditinanothercourse,unlessdonepursuanttoauthorizationfromtheinstructorsupervisingtheworkorcontainingfairattributiontotheoriginalwork.d.Theft-Stealing,takingorprocuringinanyotherunauthorizedmanner(suchasbyphysicalremovalfromaprofessor'sofficeorunauthorizedinspectionofcomputerizedmaterial)informationrelatedtoanyacademicwork(suchasexams,graderecords,formsusedingrading,books,papers,computerequipmentanddata,andlaboratorymaterialsanddata).e.Other-Failurebyastudenttocomplywithadutyimposedunderthispolicy.However,nopenaltyisimposedunderthispolicyforfailuretoreportanactofacademicdishonestybyanotherorfailuretotestifyinanacademichonestyproceedingconcerninganother.Anybehaviorthatconstitutesacademicdishonestyisprohibitedevenifitisnotspecificallylistedintheabovelistofexamples.ProceduresforResolvingMattersofAllegedAcademicDishonestyActionPriortoAnyFinding.Theinstructorshallpermitthestudenttocompleteallrequiredacademicworkandshallevaluateandgradeallworkexcepttheassignment(s)involvedintheaccusationofdishonesty.Thatinstructormay,however,takeanyactionreasonablynecessarytocollectandpreserveevidenceoftheallegedviolationandtomaintainorrestoretheintegrityofexamorlaboratoryconditions.Requestsforacoursewithdrawalordeletewillnotbeapprovedunlessitisdeterminedthatnoviolationoccurred.FacilitatedDiscussion.Whenaninstructorbelievesthatanincidentofacademicdishonestyoccurred,s/heshouldcontacttheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.TheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionwillnotifythestudentofthereport.AmeetingwillbescheduledandaFacilitatorwillbeprovidedforafairandfocuseddiscussionaboutwhatmayhaveoccurred.Theinstructor(s)whoreportedthematter,thestudent(s)believedtohaveviolatedthepolicy,andtheFacilitatoraretheonlyparticipantsinaFacilitatedDiscussion.TheseDiscussionsmaynotberecorded.Theinstructorandstudentmayreachanagreementaboutthematterand,ifdishonestyisinvolved,maydeterminetheappropriateconsequence(s).Ifnoresolutionisagreedupon,thematterwillbeforwardedtoaContinuedDiscussionwithanAcademicHonestyPanelwhichwill

A student is presumed innocent until or unless the student agrees to a violation in a Facilitated Discussion or an Academic Honesty Panel finds the student in violation.

Every student whose name is on a group assignment is responsible for the academic honesty of the entire assignment.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 9

determinetheoutcomeoftheallegation.Apleaofno-contest(i.e.,apleawhichdoesnotadmitguiltbutwhichacceptsaparticularconsequence)isnotpermittedunderthispolicy.ContinuedDiscussion.ThemeetingwiththeAcademicHonestyPanelisacontinuationoftheFacilitatedDiscussionconductedbyaFacilitator.Theresolution,includingconsequenceswhenappropriate,isdeterminedbythePanel.WhenaContinuedDiscussionisscheduled,awrittennoticeincludingabriefdescriptionoftheallegeddishonesty,shallbedeliveredtothestudent,theinstructor,andtheFacilitatorassignedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.Thenoticeshallstatethedate,timeandplaceofthemeeting.ThenoticeshallbesignedbyapersondesignatedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.ThestatementshallbedeliveredbycertifiedU.S.mailtothestudentandbycampusorregularU.S.mailtotheinstructorandtheFacilitator.Thenoticeshallbedeemeddeliveredwhenmailed,evenifthestudentfailsorrefusestosignthereturnreceiptforthatnotice.Thestudent(s)andtheinstructor(s)whoreportedthematterhavetherightandresponsibilitytobepresentandtospeaktruthfullyattheContinuedDiscussion.Ifeitherthestudentortheinstructorhasbeennotifiedofthemeetingasrequiredbythispolicyandfailstoattend,thePanelmayproceedtodetermineifaviolationoccurredandifso,establishaconsequence.Theinstructor(s)whoreportedthematter,thestudent(s)believedtohaveviolatedthepolicy,theFacilitator,andtheAcademicHonestyPanelaretheonlyparticipantsallowedtomakestatementsandaskquestionsinaContinuedDiscussionunlesstheFacilitatordeterminesthatthestudentand/orinstructorneedassistanceduetoadisabilityorlanguagebarrier.Thestudentandinstructormayeachhaveoneadvisorpresentatthemeeting.Theadvisorsmaynotaddressthepanelorotherpartiesinattendance.Inaddition,aContinuedDiscussionwillnotbescheduledorpostponedbasedonanadvisor’sschedule.AFacilitatorassignedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionshallmoderatetheContinuedDiscussion.TheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionischargedtocreate“GeneralGuidelinesforAcademicHonestyContinuedDiscussions”outliningproceduresthatensurefundamentalfairnessintheprocessofthemeetingandsupplementACultureofHonesty.Theseprocedureswillbeavailablebyrequest.DuringaContinuedDiscussion,theinstructorwhomadetheaccusationhastheresponsibilitytodemonstratetotheAcademicHonestyPanelthatitismorelikelythannotthatthestudentviolatedthispolicy.TheContinuedDiscussionshallbetaperecordedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.ThetaperecordingandotherdocumentspresentedduringtheAcademicHonestyPanelmeetingshallremainthepropertyoftheuniversity.

An instructor must demonstrate that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred for an Academic Honesty Panel to find a student in violation.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 10

Followingthemeetingwiththeinstructorandthestudent,thepanelistsshallmeetinprivateandrenderawrittendecision,includingtheconsequenceswhenthestudenthasbeenfoundinviolationofthepolicy.Exceptforthatwrittendecision,norecordofthesedeliberationsshallbemaintained.Ifamajorityofpanelistsbelievethattheinstructorhasnotdemonstratedthatitismorelikelythannotthataviolationoccurred,thestudentmustbefoundnottohaveviolatedthispolicy.AconsequencemaybeimposedbythePanelonlywhenthemajorityofthepanelistsfindtheinstructorhasmetthisresponsibility.Withinfive(5)daysfollowingthecompletionoftheContinuedDiscussion,acopyofthedecisionshallbedeliveredbyseparateletterstothestudent,theinstructorwhoreportedtheaccusation,theinstructorunderwhosesupervisiontheacademicworkinquestionwasperformed,andtheFacilitator.ThedecisionoftheAcademicHonestypanelshallbemailedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontothestudentbycertifiedU.S.mailandtotheinstructor(s)andFacilitatorbycampusorregularmail.Thatnoticeshallbedeemeddeliveredwhenmailedevenifthestudentfailsorrefusestosignthereturnreceiptforthatnotice.ActiononDeterminationofInnocence.Ifitisdeterminedthatnoviolationoccurred,theinstructorshallenterafinalgradeforthatstudentdeterminedwithoutconsiderationoftheallegedviolation.Thatgradeshallbeenteredonorbeforethelaterof:(a)thedateonwhichgradesforthatclassarerequiredbyuniversitypolicytobesubmittedtotheRegistrar;or(b)10daysfollowingdeliverytothatinstructorofanoticeofthatstudent'sfinaldeterminationofinnocence.Forthispurpose,“finaldetermination”meansthatagreementisreachedbetweentheinstructorandstudentduringaFacilitatedDiscussionthatdishonestydidnotoccur;orthatanAcademicHonestyPanelconcludesthatthestudentdidnotviolatethispolicy.Onfinaldetermination,theOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionshallnotifytheinstructorinorderthattheappropriategrademadebeentered.Ifonappeal,thestudentisfoundnotinviolationofthispolicy,notificationtotheinstructorwillbesentfromtheOfficeofthePresident.MultipleViolationsReviewBoard.IfanAcademicHonestyPaneldeterminesthatasubsequentviolationoccurredorastudentacknowledgesthesubsequentviolationduringaFacilitatedDiscussion,theMultipleViolationsReviewBoardwillbeconvenedtomeetwiththestudentandtheDirectorforAcademicHonestyorhis/herdesigneetodetermineadditionalconsequencesforthemultipleviolations.WhenameetingoftheMultipleViolationsReviewBoardisscheduled,awrittennoticeincludingabriefdescriptionoftheallegeddishonestyshallbedeliveredtothestudent.Thenoticeshallstatethedate,timeandplaceofthemeeting.

In accordance with federal law (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) and university policy, UGA employees are unable to discuss a student’s academic honesty record with parents, employers, attorneys, etc. without the written consent of the student.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 11

ThenoticeshallbesignedbyapersondesignatedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.ThestatementshallbedeliveredbycertifiedU.S.mailtothestudentandshallbedeemeddeliveredwhenmailedevenifthestudentfailsorrefusestosignthereturnreceiptforthatnotice.ThestudenthastherightandresponsibilitytobepresentandtospeaktruthfullyatthemeetingwiththeMultipleViolationsReviewBoard.Ifthestudenthasbeennotifiedofthemeetingasrequiredbythispolicyandfailstoattend,theBoardmayproceedtodeterminetheconsequence.TheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionischargedtocreate“GeneralGuidelinesforMultipleViolationsReviewBoards”outliningproceduresthatensurefundamentalfairnessintheprocessofthemeetingandsupplementACultureofHonesty.Theseprocedureswillbeavailablebyrequest.Thestudentwhoviolatedthepolicymorethanonce,theDirectorforAcademicHonesty,andtheMultipleViolationsReviewBoardmembersaretheonlyparticipantsallowedtomakestatementsandaskquestionsduringthemeetingunlessitisdeterminedthatthestudentneedsassistanceduetoadisabilityorlanguagebarrier.Thestudentmayhaveoneadvisorpresentatthemeeting.TheadvisormaynotaddresstheBoard.Inaddition,aMultipleViolationsReviewBoardMeetingwillnotbescheduledorpostponedbasedonanadvisor’sschedule.ThemeetingshallbetaperecordedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction.Thetaperecordingandotherdocumentspresentedduringthemeetingshallremainthepropertyoftheuniversity.Followingthemeetingwiththestudent,theBoardshallmeetinprivateanddeterminetheconsequencesforthemultipleviolations.Exceptforthatwrittendecision,norecordofthesedeliberationsshallbemaintained.Withinfive(5)daysfollowingthemeetingwiththeMultipleViolationsReviewBoard,acopyofthedecisionshallbedeliveredbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructiontothestudentbycertifiedU.S.mail.Thatnoticeshallbedeemeddeliveredwhenmailedevenifthestudentfailsorrefusestosignthereturnreceiptforthatnotice.Appeal.TheinstructormaynotappealanydecisionofanAcademicHonestyPanelortheMultipleViolationsReviewBoard.AstudentwhohasbeensuspendedorexpelledfromtheuniversityorwhosedegreehasbeenrevokedmayappealthedecisionandconsequencetothePresidentoftheuniversity(orhis/herdesignee).TheseappealsareamatterofrightasprovidedinBoardofRegentsPolicy.AstudentwhoreceivesalesserconsequencemaypetitiontheOfficeofthePresidentforareviewofthematter.AreviewbythePresidentinsuchcasesisnotamatterofright,butis

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 12

withinthediscretionofthePresident.BoardofRegentspolicyrequiresafinaldecisionofthePresidentondiscretionaryappealspriortoanypetitiontotheBoard.Astudentwhoisfoundtohaveviolatedthispolicymayonlyappealthefindingbasedononeormoreofthefollowinggrounds:1)areasonableAcademicHonestyPanelcouldnothavefoundthattheinstructormettheresponsibilitytodemonstrateaviolationoccurredbasedonwhatappearsintherecord;2)theconsequencesimposedwereunreasonablyharsh;3)thestudentwasdeniedarightunderthispolicyandthedenialmateriallyaffectedthedecision;or4)neworadditionalevidencehasbeenfoundsincetheContinuedDiscussionortheMultipleViolationsReviewBoardmeeting.TheappealorpetitionforreviewtothePresidentmustbewrittenbyandsignedbythestudentandmuststatethegroundsandargumentoftheappeal.ItmustbedeliveredtotheOfficeofthePresidentoftheuniversitywithinfive(5)daysfollowingthedateofdeliverytothestudentofthefinaldecisionbytheAcademicHonestyPanelortheMultipleViolationsReviewBoard.ThedecisionofthePresidentoftheuniversityshallberenderedinaccordancewithBoardofRegentspoliciesandmailedtoboththestudentandtheinstructorwhoreportedtheviolation.Thatdecisionmustbewrittenandincludethereasonforthedecision.AnyfinaldecisionoftheuniversityPresidentmaybeappealedonlyinthemannerprovidedbythepoliciesoftheBoardofRegentsoftheUniversitySystemofGeorgia.Consequence(s)forHonestyViolationsFacilitatedDiscussion.Theinstructorandstudentmayreachanagreementabouttheappropriateconsequence(s)foradishonestyviolationkeepinginmindthattheprocessshouldbeeducationalforthestudentwhoviolatedthepolicyyetfairtootherstudentswhohavehonestlycompletedtheacademicwork.Student’sRightofRescission.ThestudenthastherighttorescindaFacilitatedDiscussionagreementbynotifyingtheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionwithin5workingdaysfromthedatetheagreementformissigned.Iftheagreementisrescinded,anAcademicHonestyPanelwillbeconvenedtodetermineifacademicdishonestyoccurredandifso,toassigntheappropriatesanction(s)fortheviolation.AcademicHonestyPanel.AstudentfoundinviolationbytheAcademicHonestyPanelmustreceiveeithera0orthelowestpossiblegradeontheacademicworkunderthegradingsystemforthatcourse.Inaddition,oneormoreofthefollowingconsequencesmustbeassigned:

1.FinalcoursegradeofF.2.Placementofadishonestytranscriptnotationwhichstates:“AcademicHonestyViolationasDeterminedbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstruction,”whichmustremainuntilthestudentisnotenrolledasastudentattheuniversityandtwoyearsafterthedateuponwhichtheAcademicHonestyPanelentereditsfinaldecision.3.Suspension.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 13

4.Dismissal.5.Expulsion.

TheAcademicHonestyPanelmayimposeadditionalconsequencesinadditiontotheminimumsabove.IftheAcademicHonestyPanelfindsthatextraordinarycircumstanceswarranttheimpositionofaconsequencelessthantheminimumsdescribedabove,theAcademicHonestyPanelshallstateinwritingthereasonsfortheextraordinarycircumstancesandwhytheassignedconsequenceisconsideredappropriate.Ifthedishonestytranscriptnotationisimposedasaconsequence,thestudentmaypetitiontheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructioninwritingtoremovethenotationattheappropriatetime.Thisrequestwillbegrantedonlyifnoadditionalviolationsofacademichonestyagainstthatstudenthavebeenfoundatanytimeandnoadditionalallegationsofdishonestyarependingatthisuniversityoranyotherinstitutionofhighereducation.Thestudent’spetitionmustgranttheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionpermissiontoverifythatinformation.MultipleViolationsReviewBoard.IfanAcademicHonestyPaneldeterminesthatasubsequentviolationoccurredorastudentacknowledgesthesubsequentviolationduringaFacilitatedDiscussion,theMultipleViolationsReviewBoardwillbeconvenedtomeetwiththestudentandtheDirectorforAcademicHonestyorhis/herdesigneetodetermineadditionalconsequencesforthemultipleviolations.Thestudentmustreceiveapermanentdishonestytranscriptnotationandoneofthefollowingconsequences:

1.Expulsion2.Dismissal3.Suspension

IftheBoarddeterminesthatextraordinarycircumstanceswarranttheimpositionofasanctionlessthanoneoftheminimums,adetailedwrittenrationalemustbeprovidedtotheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionandthestudent.EffectiveDateforSuspension,DismissalorExpulsion.Astudentwhoacknowledgesaviolationorisfoundinviolationpriortothemid-pointwithdrawaldeadlineofthetermandissuspended,dismissedorexpelledfortheviolationwillbeadministrativelywithdrawnfromthecurrentterm’scourses.Ifthestudentacknowledgestheviolationorisfoundinviolationafterthemid-pointoftheterm,thestudentwillbeallowedtocompletethecurrentterm,afterwhichthesuspension,dismissal,orexpulsionwillgointoeffect.

A second violation of the academic honesty policy results in a permanent dishonesty transcript notation and suspension, dismissal or expulsion.

A record of a student’s academic honesty violation is maintained by the university for a minimum of 5 years after the student’s graduation.

ACultureofHonestyEarnsADegreeofRespect 14

FailuretoComplywithConsequences.Ifastudentfailsorrefusestocomplywiththerequirementsorconsequencesforadishonestyviolation,theOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionmayconveneanAcademicHonestyPanelwhosesolepurposeshallbetodetermineifthestudentfailedorrefusedtocomplywiththerequirementsorconsequencesassigned.Ifitisdeterminedthatthestudentdidfailorrefusetocomply,thepanelmayimposeadditionalconsequencesdeemedappropriatefortheviolation.RelationshiptoNon-AcademicMisconductPolicyItispossiblethatastudentwillcommitoneactallegedlyviolatingboththispolicyandoneormoreotheruniversitypolicies.Ifastudenthasallegedlyviolatedtheacademichonestypolicyinadditiontooneormoreotheruniversitypoliciesbythesameact,theOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionshallproceedtohandletheacademicmatterundertheproceduresofthispolicy.

Theuniversityrecognizesthepossibilitythatcriminalprosecutionorcivilcaseinacourtoflaw(orboth)mayariseoutofthesamefactswhicharesubjectofanacademicdishonestyproceedingunderthispolicy.Thecommencementofanysuchproceedingshallnotpreventordelayanyproceedingunderthispolicy.Theimpositionofaconsequenceortheawardofdamagesorotherreliefinanysuchproceedingshallnotpreventordelaytheimpositionofaconsequenceunderthispolicy.LawSchoolTheUniversityofGeorgiaSchoolofLawhasaseparatepolicyconcerningacademicdishonesty.AnyallegedactofacademicdishonestybyaUniversityofGeorgialawstudentinconnectionwithacademicworksupervisedbyfacultyoftheUniversityofGeorgiaSchoolofLawshallbesubjecttothepolicyofthatschoolandshallnotbesubjecttothispolicy.MandatoryAnnualReportonAcademicHonestyCasesTheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionhasexclusiveresponsibilityforoverseeingallpoliciesandproceduresrelatedtoacademicdishonestyattheuniversity.ThatOfficeshallsubmitawrittenreporttotheUniversityCouncilduringfalltermofeachyear.Thatreportshallcovertheperiodfromfallsemesteroftheprecedingcalendaryearthroughsummersemesterofthecurrentyear.AccesstorecordsTherecordsconcerninganyaccusationmadeundertheuniversity'sacademichonestypolicyarenotopentothepublic.Thoserecords,oranypartthereof,willbemadeavailabletopeopleotherthanthestudentonlyuponreceiptofawrittenrequestbythestudentinaformasrequiredbytheOfficeoftheVicePresidentforInstructionorinaccordancewiththeuniversity’sFERPApolicy.EffectiveDate.ThispolicyshallapplytoallactsoccurringonorafterMay15,2007.

Faci

lita

ted

Dis

cuss

ion

Mod

el f

or

Res

olvi

ng

Aca

dem

ic H

ones

ty I

ssue

s

ww

w.h

ones

ty.u

ga.e

du |

70

6-5

42-

433

6 |

hon

esty

@ug

a.ed

u

Possible  Disho

nesty  Repo

rted  to

 the  Office  

of  th

e  VP

 for  Instructio

n

LEVE

L  1:Instructor/Student

Facilitated  Discussio

n

Allegatio

n  Dismissed

(No  violation)

Disho

nesty  &  

Sanctio

n(s)  

Agreem

ent  *

Disho

nesty  –No  

Sanctio

n  Agreem

ent  

No  Agreem

ent  or  

Stud

ent  R

escind

s

LEVE

L  2:Instructor/Stud

ent

Continued  Discussio

nwith

 Academ

ic  Hon

esty  Panel

Allegatio

n  Dismissed

(No  violation)

Disho

nesty  

Confirm

ed  &

Sanctio

n  Assigned

LEVE

L  3:  Subsequent  Violation  

Acknow

ledged  or  C

onfirmed  at  

Levels  1  and

/or  2

.  Student  Required  

to  M

eet  with

 Multiple  V

iolations  

Review

 Board

Appeal  to  

Vice  Provost

Allegatio

n  Dismissed  or  

Sanctio

n  Mod

ified

Decision  

Uph

eld

Appeal  to  

USG

 Board  of  

Regents

Sanctions:

Level  1  –Determined

 by  instructor  

&  stude

nt(*  Sub

ject  to  stude

nt’s  5-­day  righ

t  of  

rescission

)

Level  2

–“0”  o

n  assign

men

t(s)  &

 at  

least  one

 of  the

 following:

•“F”  in

 cou

rse

•Transcript  N

otation

•Suspe

nsion  fro

m  UGA

•Dismissal  from  UGA

•Expulsion

Level  3

–Tran

script  notation  &  one

 of  the  following:

•Expulsion

 •D

ismissal  from  UGA

•Suspe

nsion  fro

m  UGA