In an effort to facilitate student development and responsibility, to promote procedural consistency across schools, and to maintain a single repository for integrity violation files, instructors are strongly encouraged to report all academic integrity violations and to submit an Academic Integrity Violation Accusation Form to the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC) via the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA) if determining that the student is responsible.
When an instructor has evidence of an alleged violation, he or she should:(1)
- Notify the student(s) in writing within 10 business days of determining involvement in the incident; copy the AVPAA.(2) It is recommended that the student be directed to the Academic Integrity Policy.
- If possible, meet with the student(s) as soon as possible to discuss the accusation/sanctions to be assigned.
a. Both the faculty members and the student may wish to invite witnesses who could provide first-hand, relevant information about the alleged incident.
b. If a student misses the meeting and does not provide a reason for the absence that is acceptable to the instructor, the student may forfeit the right opportunity to seek resolution with the instructor. (Reasonable flexibility should be built into this process with regard to holidays, ends of term, etc.)
c. At or soon after the meeting, the instructor should determine the likelihood that the student violated the Academic Integrity Policy.
i. Has not violated: Notify AVPAA of decision.
ii. Has violated: Assign a suitable sanction (see Academic Integrity Sanctions). Share with the student in writing the accusation, sanction and any agreement (normally, the AIVAF). Complete and submit an AIVAF to the AVPAA.
1. A record of the accusation, sanction and any agreement between the faculty member and accused student will be included on the AIVAF and placed on file with the AIC. The AVPAA will contact the accused student by Siena email with instructions that the student should make an appointment to meet with the AVPAA as soon as possible.
d. If an instructor needs more time for review, s/he should inform the student of the reasonable timeframe within which to expect a response. The instructor may assign a grade of incomplete in the interim if necessary.
- Send all relevant materials/evidence (correspondence, summaries of meetings with dates, etc.) to the AVPAA in advance if the case goes to the AIC.
(1) If the nature of an offense is deemed egregious by an instructor, he or she may refer the case directly to the AIC by submitting the AIVAF immediately to the AVPAA and may request that the AIC consider a stronger sanction.
(2) If the alleged violation concerns a graduating student in close proximity to graduation, a determination shall be made as expeditiously as possible. The student may be allowed to take part in commencement activities, but the granting of a diploma will be placed on hold until all reviews and proceedings have been concluded.