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1. The integrity of academic programs is imperative to Rowan University's mission. While acknowledging the social and collaborative nature of learning, the University expects that grades earned by students will reflect individual efforts and achievements.
2. All members of the Rowan community are responsible for understanding what constitutes academic dishonesty; upholding academic integrity standards and encouraging others to do likewise; and knowing the procedures, rights and obligations involved in the Academic Integrity Policy. Academic dishonesty, in any form, will not be tolerated. Students who commit an act of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary sanctions up to and including expulsion from the university.
3. Rowan University recognizes that students may have educational experiences prior to and during their time at Rowan that result in differences in knowledge and skills related to academic integrity; providing education to students regarding academic integrity is of high importance. In addition, instructors have the discretion to provide an educational intervention for a student in lieu of filing a report of a violation for a minor infraction likely due to ignorance or inexperience, provided that the educational intervention does not reduce a student’s grade. This is an educational opportunity for the student to learn more about appropriate academic integrity practices and is not considered a violation for purposes of this policy and cannot be issued a sanction which decreases a student’s grade.
   1. Examples of ways that instructors may provide students with an educational opportunity to learn the importance of and appropriate practice for academic integrity include (but are not limited to) (a) enabling the student to revise and resubmit an assignment, complete an equivalent alternate assignment, or submit original work indicating understanding of academic integrity; or (b) exclude the assignment from the course with more weight given to other assignments in determining the final grade. The educational opportunity may not reduce a student’s grade in the course; if it does, the report must be filed as a Level 1 or higher violation.
   2. Students with concerns regarding any type of academic integrity educational intervention may consult with the Office of the Provost. See go.rowan.edu/academicintegrity for more information.
4. Violations of academic integrity are classified into four Levels based on the seriousness of the behaviors and the possible sanctions imposed.
   1. A Level 1 violation may occur because of ignorance or inexperience on the part of the student(s) committing the violation and ordinarily include a very minor portion of the course work. A sanction for a Level 1 violation will not exceed a failing grade on the assignment. Example: Improper footnoting or unauthorized assistance with academic work on the part of a student without a strong educational background in academic integrity.
      1. Recommended Sanction(s): Make-up assignment at a more difficult level or assignment of no-credit for work in question, required attendance at an Academic Integrity Seminar and/or Academic Integrity Workshop (see Attachment 6 for descriptions), and/or an assignment designated by the instructor that will increase the student's awareness of academic integrity.
      2. Reporting Mechanisms: Matters involving Level 1 violations are normally adjudicated by the instructor and sanctioned accordingly. A record of this violation will be retained in the Office of the Provost in accordance with State record retention guidelines. The student can appeal the determination in accordance with policy.
   2. Level 2 violations involve incidents of a more serious nature which may involve intent or negligence and which affect a significant aspect or portion of the course. A second Level 1 violation will automatically become a Level 2 violation. A sanction for a Level 2 violation will not exceed a failing grade on the assignment. Example: Quoting directly or paraphrasing without proper acknowledgment on an assignment or failing to acknowledge all sources of information and contributors who helped with an assignment.
      1. Recommended Sanction(s): Reduction of grade or failing grade on the assignment, and/or the imposition of other lesser sanctions as deemed appropriate.
      2. Reporting Mechanisms: Matters involving Level 2 violations are normally adjudicated by the instructor and sanctioned accordingly. A record of this violation will be retained in the Office of the Provost in accordance with State record retention guidelines. The student can appeal the determination in accordance with policy. 
   3. Level 3 offenses are even more serious in nature and involve dishonesty on a more significant portion of course work, such as significant portions of a major paper, hourly or final examination. If a student had previously been found responsible either of one or more violations at Level 2 or higher, or of two Level 1 violations, an additional violation at any level will automatically become at least a Level 3 violation. A sanction for a level 3 violation will not exceed failure for the course and Academic Integrity Probation. Example: Copying from or giving assistance to others on an hourly or final examination, plagiarizing major portions of an assignment, using forbidden material on an hourly or final examination, presenting the work of another as one's own, or altering a graded examination for the purposes of re-grading.
      1. Recommended Sanction(s): A failing grade in the course and Academic Integrity Probation and/or the imposition of other lesser sanctions as deemed appropriate.
      2. Reporting Mechanisms: Matters involving Level 3 violations are adjudicated by the Academic Integrity Review Board. A record of this violation will be retained in the Office of the Provost in accordance with State record retention guidelines. 
   4. Level 4 violations are the most serious breaches of academic integrity. They also include repeat offenses below Level 4 violations and violations committed while already on or after returning from Academic Integrity Probation. Level 4 violations can result in suspension or expulsion from the University. Example: Forgery of grade change forms; theft of examinations; having a substitute take an examination; any degree of falsification or plagiarism relating to a senior or graduate thesis; using a purchased term paper; sabotaging another's work; the violation of the clinical code of a profession.
      1. Recommended sanction: Suspension from the University for one or more semesters with a notation of "Disciplinary Suspension" placed on a student's transcript and/or the imposition of other lesser sanctions as deemed appropriate. In the most severe cases, the sanction may be expulsion from the University and a permanent dismissal notation on the student's transcript.
      2. Reporting Mechanisms: Matters involving Level 4 violations are adjudicated by the Academic Integrity Review Board. A record of this violation will be retained in the Office of the Provost in accordance with State record retention guidelines.
5. Reporting And Adjudication Of Academic Integrity Violations
   1. A student or University employee who has witnessed an apparent act of academic misconduct or has information that reasonably leads to the conclusion that such an act has or will occur must inform the instructor or the Office of the Provost. The exception is when an incident is deemed by the instructor to be best addressed as an educational intervention to increase the student’s knowledge and ability for appropriate practice (see Section V. 3. above).
   2. Test center proctors, graduate teaching fellows, or other such surrogates acting on behalf of an instructor who believe that a student has attempted or committed an apparent act of academic misconduct must inform the instructor or the Office of the Provost and turn over all physical evidence.
   3. An instructor who believes that a student has attempted or committed an apparent act of academic misconduct must investigate the matter. Instructors are encouraged to consult with staff in the Office of the Provost.
      1. If the instructor then concludes that misconduct has likely occurred, he or she must obtain the Guide for Academic Integrity Violation Meetings and must complete as much of the Guide as possible prior to meeting with the student, including the appropriate type of violation/level.
      2. The instructor must make reasonable attempts to meet with the student in question as soon as possible. When necessary, such meetings may be conducted by telephone, video conferencing, or electronic mail. In this meeting every effort must be made to preserve the basic teacher/student relationship. The student must be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation and to review the Guide. No signature is requested from the student. The student must be allowed to remain in class and complete course work until a final resolution is reached. Instructors are reminded that sanctions for Level 3 and 4 violations (including failure for the course) are determined by the Office of the Provost, not by the instructor.
      3. For Level 1 and Level 2 violations, the instructor must indicate sanctions on the Guide, with a copy provided to the student. (Instructors do not recommend sanctions for Level 3 and 4 violations.) Instructors may recommend sanctions up to and including a failing grade for the assignment depending on the level of violation. Students may consult staff in the Office of the Provost with questions on the policy and process.
      4. At the conclusion of the meeting the instructor must provide the student with a copy of the Guide. The instructor must then forward the form and all supporting documentation to the Office of the Provost via the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation (RAIV) through the Maxient link.
         1. Level 1 violations: The instructor will make the determination on whether a violation has occurred and on the penalty, not to exceed a failing grade on the assignment. Appeals go directly to the Office of the Provost and will be heard by the Academic Integrity Review Board.
         2. Level 2 violations: The instructor will make the determination of whether a violation has occurred and on the penalty, not to exceed a failing grade on the assignment. Appeals go directly to the Office of the Provost and will be heard by the Academic Integrity Review Board.
         3. Level 3 and 4 violations: The Office of the Provost will refer the matter to the Academic Integrity Review Board for adjudication at a hearing. The Board will issue a finding and recommendation for the sanction to the Office of the Provost, which will make the final decisions on both rulings and appeals.
         4. Students reported for Level 3 violations who choose to take responsibility for their violations may waive their right to a hearing. (This applies only to students for which it is their first violation.) In such instances, students will acknowledge their violation in writing, and sanctions will be determined by the Office of the Provost (not to exceed the maximum sanction of failure for the course and Academic Integrity Probation for a Level 3 violation). To do so, students must sign and return the form included in their violation report to the Office of the Provost within 5 business days. (Students who do not return the form within that time frame will be scheduled for a hearing in front of the Board.)*
            *(Policy item D. currently is under University Senate review and is considered interim policy pending approval.)
      5. Additional sanctions, including suspension or expulsion from the university, may be considered by the Office of the Provost when requested by the instructor, requested by the academic unit in which the violation occurred, or when stipulated by the academic integrity policy (i.e. the level of the violation or the existence of previous academic integrity violations by the student).
      6. In the case that an instructor must assign a grade before the case is resolved, the instructor must assign a grade of "IN," which will be changed when the case is resolved.
      7. A student may not withdraw from a course in which he or she has committed or has been accused of committing an academic integrity violation. A student found to have withdrawn from a course in which an academic integrity violation is alleged or determined will be re-enrolled in the course upon receipt of a RAIV by the Office of the Provost. In addition, a student found responsible for an academic integrity violation in a course in which the student has participated but has not enrolled will be retroactively enrolled and assigned an appropriate sanction.
6. Academic Integrity Review Board
   1. The Academic Integrity Review Board is convened for adjudication of Level 3 and 4 allegations of academic dishonesty and Level 1 and 2 allegations that are appealed.
   2. The Academic Integrity Review Board is chaired by a representative from the Office of the Provost.he Chair shall be a participating but nonvoting member of the Board.
   3. The Board is composed of pool of members.
      1. A minimum of two student members from a pool of between 7 and 14 students who are appointed by the Student Government Association. Student members must be matriculated and in good standing with the University.
      2. Two full-time members of the faculty who are appointed by the University Senate President.
      3. Two members of the administration who are appointed by the Office of the Provost.
      4. Two alternates from each category will also be appointed.
      5. When convening the Academic Integrity Review Board for adjudication of an allegation of academic dishonesty, a quorum of four members, including at least one student, one faculty member and one administrator, must be present.
7. Rights in Hearings
   1. The University disciplinary system is not a criminal or civil law process and the legal procedures applicable in criminal and civil cases will not apply. This policy is not intended to supersede any existing law or regulation.
   2. The burden of proof rests upon the complainant, who must establish, on the basis of the standard of a "preponderance of evidence," that it was "more likely than not" that the accused student is responsible for the conduct violation based on the weight of the credible information presented.
   3. University disciplinary hearings will accord the following specific rights to all students:
      1. To receive written notice of the alleged violation.
      2. To have reasonable access to the case materials prior to and during any hearing.
      3. To have access to advice by an individual of his or her choosing, including an attorney. However, the advisor may not participate in the hearing. The student must sign a FERPA waiver indicating he/she has consented to have the individual present.
      4. To participate in the hearing, present information on his or her own behalf, call witnesses and question information provided at their hearing. This does not include the right to directly question witnesses.
      5. To receive written notification of the decision reached and a list of any sanctions imposed.
8. Description of Sanction
   1. A student may receive a single or multiple sanctions for violations of the Academic Integrity policy. Factors to be considered in deciding sanctions can include the student’s past academic integrity violation(s) and the nature and severity of the violation under consideration.
   2. Sanctions which may be imposed upon a student found responsible for a Level 3 or Level 4 include the following:
      1. Notation of Academic Integrity Violation on Transcript: When a student fails a course because of a Level 3 or Level 4 violation, this can be noted on the student's transcript as an additional sanction. The notation can be removed from the transcript at the student's request provided the student has had no further academic integrity violations for one calendar year (365) days. The student can have a maximum of one such notation removed in his/her career as a Rowan student.
      2. Academic Integrity Probation: Academic integrity probation is a period of one calendar year (365) days indicating that a student is no longer in good standing with the university vis-à-vis academic integrity because of a Level 3 or Level 4 violation. (This status is distinct from Academic Probation, which concerns academic performance.) Any subsequent Academic Integrity Violation while in this status will likely result in suspension or expulsion from the university.
      3. Suspension: Beginning on the date the suspension takes effect, the student is no longer a registered student, may not attend classes, nor receive grades for the period of the suspension. In addition, while in this status, the student is not permitted to be present on the campus or at a University-sponsored event for any reason whatsoever. The suspension will be noted on the student's academic transcript as disciplinary suspension. The notation will remain on the student’s transcript permanently. The student is not entitled to any refund of any fees after published refund dates.
      4. Expulsion: Beginning on the date the expulsion takes effect, the student may never again be a registered student, may never attend classes, nor receive grades. In addition, the student may never be present on the campus nor at a University-sponsored event for any reason whatsoever. The expulsion will be noted on the student's academic transcript as Academic Integrity Expulsion. The student is not entitled to any refund of any fees after published refund dates.

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1. Attachment 1, Definition Examples
2. Attachment 2, Academic Integrity Review Board Procedures
3. Attachment 3, Academic Integrity Summary Chart for Instructors
4. Attachment 4, Guide for Academic Integrity Violation Meetings
5. Attachment 5, Report of an Academic Integrity Violation (RAIV) link in Maxient
6. Attachment 6, Descriptions of the AIV Sanctions of Workshop versus Seminar

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