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The University of Baltimore comprises a community of students, faculty; administrators, and staff who share a commitment to learning. Since the practice of academic honesty is essential to learning, the University has established the following policy for academic honesty.
The University's Academic Integrity Polity is derived from the following convictions:
Students, faculty, administrators, and staff share responsibility for fostering academic honesty. The practice of honesty requires an ongoing discussion of activities that may violate the spirit of honesty. It requires active discouragement of dishonesty.
While the Academic Integrity Policy places Primary emphasis on fostering honesty, it recognizes the need for clear consequences of behavior that violates the policy, together with fair procedures for judging alleged cases of dishonesty.
It is the policy of the University of Baltimore
Academic honesty is based on the principle that one's work is one's own. The University of Baltimore Academic Integrity Policy encourages all members of the University to: accept responsibility for taking academic honesty seriously by being well-informed, by contributing to a climate in which honesty is valued, and by considering responsible ways to discourage dishonesty in the work of others.
Students, faculty, administrators, and staff shall not condone or tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or falsification, since such activity negatively affects all members of the academic community. Making known to offenders that such behavior is not appreciated may be a reasonable means to encourage a climate of honesty.
1. Responsibilities of Students
Students have the responsibility to encourage and support an atmosphere of academic honesty. To encourage honest and reasonable use of sources, students are expected to utilize appropriate methods of documentation for written word. Students are to recognize that faculty considering written materials will assume such utilization. Students are to do their own work and to make all reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of academic dishonesty. They are to set an example for other students by refraining from
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acts of cheating, plagiarism, or other violations of the Academic Integrity Policy. They are to refrain from aiding or abetting other students in any attempts to violate the Academic Integrity Policy. When acts of academic dishonesty occur, students are to consider means to limit such behavior.
2. Responsibility of Faculty
Faculty have the responsibility to encourage and support an atmosphere of intellectual academic honesty; They are responsible for considering procedures for implementing academic honesty in the design of their syllabi, as well as encouraging adherence to the principles of academic honesty. Faculty are to assist students in developing appropriate methods of source attribution, and to make clear any procedures required for special cases such as use of texts or notes during examinations, take-home work, or collaborative work. Faculty are to make clear the consequences of dishonest work on final grades. Faculty members are to set an example to encourage academic honesty. They are to refrain from acts of cheating, plagiarism, and other acts of academic dishonesty. They are to make all reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of academic dishonesty through appropriate design and administration of assignments and examinations, careful safeguarding of course material and examinations, and regular reassessment of evaluation procedures. When instances of academic dishonesty are suspected, faculty members have the responsibility to take appropriate action. Faculty are to serve as models of academic honesty.3. Responsibilities of Administration and Staff
Administrators and staff have the responsibility to encourage and support an atmosphere of academic honesty. Administrators will rake appropriate measures to raise the consciousness of individuals throughout the University community to the importance of maintaining the values underlying academic honesty. Administrators will encourage discussion of issues involving the principles of integrity and honesty at all levels of the university community. Administrators, in accordance with this policy, will also take steps to define acts of academic dishonesty, to ensure procedures for due process for persons accused or suspected of acts of academic dishonesty, and to impose appropriate sanctions on members of the University community found to have been guilty of acts of academic dishonesty. Administrators and staff are to serve as models of academic honesty.
The following are examples of behavior mat are inconsistent with the University Academic Integrity Policy.
1. Cheating
Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any authorized (sic) assistance, or unfair advantage on any form of academic work.Examples may include, but are not limited to, the use of crib sheets or any other materials not expressly authorized by the professor during exams, unauthorized possession of a test prior to the test date, and copying from other student's exams. Student (sic) are also expected not to talk to other students during an exam.
Examples for faculty, administrators, and staff include, but are not limited to, providing an individual student with exam answers prior to an exam or otherwise giving a student an unfair advantage over other students during an exam.
2. Plagiarism
Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, or thoughts of another and representing the same as one's own original work. Examples may include, but are not limited to, submission of a purchased research paper as one's own work, and paraphrasing and/or quoting material in a paper without properly documenting the source.
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Examples for faculty; administrators, and staff include, but are not limited to, failing to acknowledge the work of another in publications or publishing a student's work as one's own.
3. Falsification
Falsification includes the statement of any untruth either verbally or in writing with respect to any circumstances relating to one's academic work. Examples may include, but are not limited to, receiving assistance or working as a group on an independent take-home exam, making statements or untruths to avoid taking an examination, or engaging in any other type of activity that given an unfair advantage to an individual student over other students. Knowingly making a false report that another student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy constitutes falsification. Examples for faculty, administrators, and staff include, but are not limited to, knowingly falsifying data, misrepresenting information on a resume, or misleading students in terms of compensation or scholarship that they will receive for student assistant work.4. Attempts/Facilitation
Any attempts toward or facilitating the commission of any act such as cheating, plagiarism and/or falsification are cases of academic dishonesty. Examples may include, but are not limited to, knowingly discussing a test or an examination not yet taken with another student who has taken that test or examination, or knowingly discussing an examination already taken with another student who is scheduled to take that examination, but has not yet done so.Examples for faculty, administrators, and staff include, but are not limited to, facilitating a student's efforts to cheat on an examination, facilitating another in an act of plagiarism, or facilitating the falsification of data or other information.
(Law students should consult the law school catalog to understand the Law School Honor Code administered by the Student Bar Association.) Persons shall not condone or tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or falsification, since such activity negatively affects all members of the academic community. Making known to offenders that such behavior is not appreciated may be a reasonable means to encourage a climate of honesty. Reporting of a probable violation of the Academic Integrity Policy to the professor in whose class the probable violation occurred may be a reasonable means to encourage a climate of academic honesty. Reporting probably violations to a dean, to the associate vice-president for student a/fairs, or to the provost may in some cases be are (sic) reasonable means to encourage a climate of academic honesty.
When a faculty member knows of or has good reason to suspect a violation of the University of Baltimore Academic Integrity Policy on the part of a student or students, the faculty members shall notify the student or students of his or her view and the reasons therefore. The faculty member shall determine an appropriate course of action after meeting with the student(s) to discuss the factors involved. At this time the faculty member shall inform the student of the sections of the Student Handbook which identify the University's Academic Integrity Policy.
If the student or students agree with the allegations, the student or students and the faculty member shall sign a statement of agreement. A copy of that statement, with the name of the student or students and the faculty member on the outside of and (sic) envelope, will be forwarded to the associate vice president for student affairs. That envelope shall remain sealed unless a second envelope with the student's name is received by the
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associate vice president. In such an event the associate vice president shall convene a hearing board. Sealed envelopes shall be destroyed after the student or students graduate, or after the time allowed for the completion of a program.
If the student or students do not agree with the allegations, the faculty member shall either grade the questionable work as if the work were unquestionable, or shall submit the case to the second stage for a disciplinary hearing in accordance with the Procedures for Hearing Boards set forth in the Student Handbook.
If the students refuses (sic) or fails to meet, or fails to respond within ten (10) working days to a faculty member's request to meeting, (sic) the faculty member shall submit the case to the associate vice president for student affairs, who will convene a hearing board to adjudicate the case.
Sanctions for the violation of the University of Baltimore Academic Integrity Policy include one or combinations of the following:
1. Non-credit for Work
A judgment that specific work violated the University of Baltimore Academic Integrity Policy will result in non-credit for that work, with a consequent grade in accordance with the grading policy indicated in the course syllabus.2. Integrity Paper
Writing of a research paper may be imposed in an attempt to educate students about the principles of honesty and integrity.3. Disciplinary Probation
Disciplinary probation is assigned for a specific period of time during which a student must not represent the University in any capacity nor hold office in student government or any other student organization.4. Disciplinary Suspension
Disciplinary suspension precludes a student from registration, class attendance, and use of University facilities for at least one semester but not more than one year. Disciplinary suspension is recorded for the term of suspension in the student's academic record. Credit for any courses completed during suspension are not acceptable transfer credits at the University of Baltimore.5. Disciplinary Dismissal
Disciplinary dismissal is a cancellation of the student's registration and all permissions and privileges related thereto. Dismissal is permanently recorded in the student's academic record. Credits for any course completed during dismissal are not acceptable as transfer credits at the University of Baltimore. A student who has been dismissed is not eligible for re-admission earlier than one year following dismissal and then only with the approval of the appropriate academic dean.6. Disciplinary Expulsion
Disciplinary expulsion is permanent dismissal from the University and cancellation of all permission and privileges related thereto. Expulsion is permanently recorded in the student's academic record.
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Students are expected to maintain a high standard of conduct. Since the university's role is to provide the best possible atmosphere for learning, individuals who violate its rules or regulations are subject to discipline. To the extent described below, the president of the university delegates authority over student discipline to the provost and the associate vice-president for student affairs. The following policies apply to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students of the university and to all persons who are registered or enrolled in any credit or non-credit course or program offered by the university. No official action, such as the withdrawal from courses, will be processed while allegations of misconduct are being investigated and adjudicated. All violations of the Code of Conduct shall be adjudicated either by the associate vice president for student affairs or by a hearing board. Any violation which could result in a Student's suspension or dismissal from the university for disciplinary reasons shall be adjudicated by a hearing board.
The jurisdiction of disciplinary hearing boards shall extend to acts of misconduct by students engaged in organized activities of registered student groups, including fraternities and sororities, whether committed on- or off-campus. An 'organized activity' is any activity which is conducted under the sponsorship or supervision of a registered student group.
Students accused of serious criminal offenses on- or off-campus shall be subject to university disciplinary action... [Ed., remainder of paragragh deleted]
[Ed., the remainder of A.1 is not included here.]
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Academic misconduct requires application of the same principles and procedures as other disciplinary violations; e.g., in all cases where students are charged with misconduct they shall be given written notice of the charges and they have a right to a hearing as described in Section 4. The hearing board determines when cheating and plagiarism have occurred. Faculty may not disregard the findings of the hearing board and impose a grade sanction if that body found no basis for a charge of academic misconduct. This section shall not be applicable to the School of Law which regulates matters of academic honesty or integrity through an honor code. Students in the School of Law should refer to its honor code for standards and procedures concerning academic misconduct.
a. Cheating
Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance, or the actual giving or receiving of any unfair advantage on any form of academic work. Examples may include but are not limited to use of 'crib sheets' during tests, and unauthorized possession of a test prior to test date.b. Plagiarism
Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and representing same as one's own original work. Examples may include but are not limited to a submission of purchased research papers as one's own work, and paraphrasing and/or quoting material in a paper without properly documenting the source.c. Falsification
Falsification includes the statement of any untruth either verbally or in writing with respect to any circumstances relating to one's academic work.d. Attempts/Facilitation
Attempts toward, or facilitating the commission of any act such as cheating, plagiarism and/or falsification shall be deemed a violation of university academic conduct regulations.
Note: The recommended minimum sanction for a first offense of academic misconduct is a grade of "F" for the course and a one semester suspension from the university.
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[Ed., The remainder of Section A(3) is not included here.]
In cases involving misconduct, one or more of the following sanctions shall be imposed for ach violation. Sanctions shall be commensurate with the seriousness of me offense. Repeated violations justify increasingly severe sanctions. Any sanction imposed is recorded in the confidential disciplinary records of the associate vice president for student affairs.
a. Disciplinary Reprimand
A disciplinary reprimand is a written warning to the student that further misconduct may result in more disciplinary action.
b. Loss of Privilege
Loss of privilege is withdrawal of privilege(s) or use of service(s) or barring from the university premises for a period of time.
c. Restitution
Restitution requires a student to pay for damages to or for misappropriation of property. Any student who knowingly damages or causes damage to occur to university property or that of its community members shall be required to pay full restitution within a specified period of time.
d. Disciplinary Probation
Disciplinary probation is assigned for a specific period of time during which a student must not violate the university's Code of Conduct. While on probation, a student shall not represent the university in any capacity nor hold office in student government or any other student organization.
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e. Administrative Withdrawal
Administrative withdrawal is the wimdraw1 of a student from one or more courses at the university for the current semester. The student may be considered for readmission in subsequent semesters in compliance with the academic admission standards then in effect. Administrative Withdrawal (WA) grades shall be imposed when recommended by the Associate vice president for student affairs for non-payment of tuition and fees, and for behavior which is disruptive to the class room learning environment. The following procedures apply to the latter situation:
- the instructor shall inform the student in an individual conference that his/her behavior is disruptive to the classroom learning environment. At this time, the student shall be notified that if the behavior does not cease, the instructor will request the student to be administratively withdrawn from the class;
- if the student's behavior does not improve, the instructor shall request in writing that the student be administratively withdrawn from the class. The instructor shall provide the associate vice-president for student affairs with a written summary of the instructor's conference with the student;
- The associate vice-president for student affairs shall investigate the charges and meet with the instructor and student to discuss the request;
- if the associate vice-president for student affairs finds the charges to be substantiated, he/she shall forward the instructor's request for administrative withdrawal to the registrar for affirmative action.
(f) Disciplinary Suspension
Disciplinary suspension precludes a student from registration, class attendance, and use of university facilities for up to one year. Disciplinary suspension is recorded for the term of suspension in the student's academic record. Upon termination of the suspension, the student shall be considered for readmission in compliance with the academic admission standards then in effect, subject to review by the appropriate academic dean.(g) Disciplinary Dismissal
Dismissal is cancellation by the president of the university of the student's registration and of all permissions and privileges related thereto. Dismissal is permanently recorded in the student's academic record. A student who has been dismissed is not eligible for readmission earlier than one year following dismissal and then only with the approval of the president.(h) Disciplinary Expulsion
Expulsion is the permanent dismissal by the president of the university of the registration, class attendance, and the use of university facilities. Expulsion is permanently recorded on the student's academic record.(i} Grade Penalties
In cases of academic dishonesty, the sanction of failure in the course or courses involved may be imposed alone or in combination with other sanctions. (See Part II A 2).(j) Interim Suspension
An interim suspension requires that a student immediately leave me campus. It may be imposed upon the student for a period of not more than 30 days by the associate vice-president for student affairs with concurrence of the president when the associate vice president has reason to believe that: 1) the safety and well-being of students, faculty or university property is in jeopardy; or, 2) the student's own physical or emotional safety is in jeopardy; or, 3) the student poses an immediate threat of disruption or interference to the normal conduct of the university. In enforcing this sanction, the associate vice president for student affairs may rely upon information supplied to her by others. If any student returns
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to campus during this interim suspension without written permission from the associate vice-president for student affairs, unless he/she returns solely to attend a disciplinary hearing, he/she shall be subject to disciplinary dismissal or disciplinary expulsion.
(k) Presidential Powers
In the event of a mass disruption of the university by a group of students, the president may suspend the hearing board procedures and impose interim suspension immediately. He may then appoint a magistrate who is not part of the university community to hear all cases. The magistrate has full power to impose all university sanctions.(l) Other Sanctions
A variety of other sanctions such as delay of graduation, community service, and educational requirements of seminar attendance and research paper assignments may be imposed when deemed appropriate.
Students accused of Code of Conduct violations which normally would not jeopardize their enrollment status at the university are subject to a disciplinary conference with the associate vice-president for student affairs. Such students are accorded the following procedural protections:
All students charged with violations of the Code of Conduct have a right to a hearing before a hearing board. The hearing board consists of two students, two faculty members, and an administrator. Each board has jurisdiction over cases of alleged misconduct referred to it by the associate vice-president for student affairs. Hearings before hearing boards shall be conducted in such a manner as to assure a just and fair deliberation. All hearings shall be considered confidential and, therefore, shall be closed to members of the university community unless the student waives the right to confidentiality in writing to the associate vice president for student affairs.
Either the student charged or the person who filed the charge may appeal a decision of a hearing board. Request for review must be made in writing to the associate vice president for student affairs within 10 calendar days of the mailing of the notice of findings of fact and proposed sanctions. Request for review shall be promptly transmitted, along with appropriate hearing documents, to the provost or his/her designee in all cases of academic misconduct, and to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in all other cases.
The findings of hearing boards may be reviewed based upon any of the following:
- Decisions which are unsupported by substantial evidence in the view of the entire record.
- Substantial departure from, or denial of, rights or provisions enumerated under D2. Specification for Fairness in Student Disciplinary Hearings, or D3. Procedures for Hearing Boards.
- New evidence previously unavailable which if proven accurate, would substantially alter the decision to the guilt or innocence of the student charged or to the sanction imposed.
- A reasonable claim that the sanction imposed is disproportionate to the gravity of the conduct. The student charged and the person who filed the charge will be notified in writing of the decision concerning the granting of review as well as the results of the review.
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Students have the following rights in situations in which they are charged with conduct that may result in suspension or expulsion:
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(1) The chair will inform the counsel that he/she is present only to safeguard the defendant's rights in the criminal proceeding, not to affect the outcome of the disciplinary hearing. Counsel's principal functions would be to advise defendant whether he/she should answer questions and what he/she should not say to safeguard defendant from self-incrimination.
(2) The counsel may not address the hearing board.
(3) The counsel may speak to and advise his/her client but may not take part in any of the proceedings.
(4) An accused student who intends to bring an attorney to a hearing must notify the associate vice-president for student affairs four working days prior to the hearing date so that the associate vice-president for student affairs may request the presence of a representative of the state's attorney general.
(5) The chair may ask an accused student's attorney to leave the hearing if these rules are violated in any way.
(1) The notice of the charges and other hearing documents.
(2) A summary of the evidence presented.
(3) The findings of the board, and, if applicable,
(4) The sanction(s) recommended.
The associate vice-president for student affairs shall impose sanctions recommended by the hearing board. The student shall be notified in writing of the findings of the hearing board and the proposed sanctions, which shall become effective unless the student makes a written request for a review.
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The associate vice president for student affairs shall have responsibility for directing efforts of students and staff members in matters involving student judicial affairs. The responsibilities include: