Academic Misconduct Procedures for Faculty

Last revised February 26, 2020.

Definition of Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes traditional textual plagiarism and its manifestations, including self-plagiarism (submitting work to meet a requirement in one class that was submitted to meet a requirement in another class without the explicit authorization of the class’s instructor), falsifying work or academic records, cheating, substitution of work or the work of another, actively participating in or condoning these activities with others, appropriating creative works of art in whole or part(images, sounds, lighting designs, audio tracks, scripts, etc). Please refer to the Student Handbook, and the Emerson College Policy on Plagiarism.

Procedure for Faculty

The following procedure is intended to provide guidance to faculty members in reporting suspected plagiarism and other acts of academic misconduct, and to ensure a fair and due process. Faculty members should speak with a student suspected of committing an act of academic misconduct immediately and report it to their department Chair without delay. Resolution of cases of academic misconduct will be reviewed in accordance with the Student Conduct Process.

1. If a faculty member suspects a student of academic dishonesty, the faculty member is encouraged to speak with the student to gather further information.
2. If the faculty member believes that there is sufficient information that an act of academic dishonesty has taken place, intentionally or inadvertently, the faculty member will notify their department Chair immediately regarding their findings.
3. If the Chair concurs that the incident may be an act of academic dishonesty, the Chair will immediately contact the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct for review, documentation, and adjudication.
4. The faculty member will notify the student of the allegation, informing the student that the matter is being forwarded to the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct for review and adjudication.
5. The faculty member is to complete an Academic Misconduct Complainant Form prior to contacting the Office of Community Standards and Student Conduct about an allegation of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct. The form can be found on the Forms section of the Academic Affairs website.
6. The faculty member and department Chair will have an opportunity to provide their account of the incident and recommend a sanction.

Hearing Options for Student

Please refer to Section 8D of the Code of Community Standards for hearing and resolution options.

The Director of Community Standards and Student Conduct and the appropriate school Dean reserve the right to review sanctions to ensure their appropriateness prior to implementation.

Appeal

The student may appeal the hearing or resolution panel outcome. See section 8I of the Code of Community Standards for appeal information.  

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Sanction Options

When determining sanctions, the Hearing Officer, Conduct Board, or Resolution Panel should allow for consideration of the severity, type, and circumstances of plagiarism and other acts of academic misconduct in order to impose a sanction that is appropriately matched with the specific act of misconduct.

In determining an appropriate sanction the following factors will be assessed and considered:

• Was the academic misconduct deliberate or unintentional?
• Was the act of academic misconduct isolated or pervasive?
• Was the act of academic misconduct minor or gross in nature?

Below are the typical minimum sanctions for plagiarism and other acts of academic misconduct.

1st violation (minimum sanction shall include an academic misconduct notice, an educational assignment, and one or more of the following):

1. Repeat the assignment/project/exam for a lower grade*
2. Receive a failing grade for the assignment/project/exam*
3. Receive a failing grade for the course
4. Suspended from the College
5. Dismissed from the College

*Reserved for acts of misconduct that are determined to be unintentional, isolated and minor in nature.

2nd violation (minimum sanction shall include an academic misconduct note, an educational assignment, and one or more of the following):

1. Receive a failing grade for the course*
2. Suspended from the College
3. Dismissed from the College

*Reserved for a 2nd act of misconduct that is determined to be unintentional, isolated and minor in nature.

3rd violation (minimum sanction shall include a failing grade for the course and one of the following):

1. Suspended from the College
2. Dismissed from the College