Academic Integrity @

Washington State University

Adam Jussel

Director

Office of Student Standards & Accountability

Scope of the Issue•2011 – May 2014: 456 cases

•168 Cheating

•261 Plagiarism

•2 Plagiarism & Cheating

Definitions of Academic Integrity

Violations

Most Common Violations

Unauthorized Assistance

Use of unauthorized materials in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, OR giving or receiving unauthorized assistance by any means, including:

• talking during quizzes, tests or exams• copying information from another student• using electronic devices or • taking an examination for another student

Fabrication

The intentional invention or counterfeiting of information in the course of an academic activity.

• The most common form is counterfeiting a record of internship or practicum experiences.

Most Common Violations

(by far): Plagiarism

Presenting the information, ideas, or phrasing of another person as the student’s own work without proper acknowledgement of the source. •WSU’s policy makes no distinction between intentional and unintentional plagiarism, which means that:•One improper citation IS plagiarism.•This also includes submitting work created by someone else as your own, including purchasing papers online.

What happens if there is an alleged

violation?Instructor believes academic integrity violation has occurred:

•Compiles evidence supporting claim

•Meets with student about issue

•Makes determination if violation occurred

•Turns in decision to Office of Student Standards & Accountability

• Student can accept instructor’s decision and consequence, OR student has 21 days to appeal decision

• If student appeals, board makes independent decision based on the information provided by the student and the faculty member.

First Steps• Assemble the

Evidence:• Offending work• Statements by

witnesses• Original sources if

plagiarism• “Preponderance of

the evidence”

• Notification• Private• As quickly as

possible• Provide date, time

and place for face-to-face meeting

• Communicate concerns through e-mail or phone i

…and then• Meeting• Show evidence to

student• Allow his or her to

respond• Notify student

required to report to OSSA

• Notify student you will provide them with outcome and summary of meeting, academic sanction, and appeal

Two parts of the AI process• Academic sanction• University Sanction

•Sanction must be in line with sample syllabus statement

OutcomeOutcome of meeting• Provide student with

written statement (e-mail is ok)

• Outlining evidence

• Summarize meeting

• Sanction

• 21 day appeal period

Notify OSSA

• Complete online form

• Email copy of offending work, any original sources of plagiarism, and copy of syllabus

Appeal ProcessAcademic Integrity Hearing Board• Teaching faculty and a chairperson• Recommended by Faculty senate

Function of Board• Separate and independent determination of

responsibility• Determine whether sanction is appropriate and in

accordance with syllabus statement

Timing• 21 days from date of your letter

Hearing• Letter will go to student indicating time of hearing,

instruction of witnesses, evidence, etc.

Common Issues & FAQ

•Equal and consistent enforcement

•Reporting to SSA

•Syllabus statements

•Following the process

Syllabus Statements

•Articulate the standards that you are willing to enforce

•Allow students to understand the consequences of dishonesty

•Clarify academic and behavioral standards in advance

Questions?

academicintegrity.wsu.edu