Academic Senate

I. Faculty Actions

Research In cases of alleged academic integrity violations in undergraduate research, faculty members, teaching assistants, and other instructional personnel should report suspicion of fraudulent or unethical research practice by students, including but not limited to undergraduate student researcher employees, immediately to the Chair of the department, Dean of the school or Director of the organized research unit. The report must then be forwarded to the Vice Chancellor for Research who will be responsible for coordinating further actions. (Am 29 May 12)

Courses If a faculty member, teaching assistant, or other instructional personnel suspects that an act of academic misconduct has occurred in a course, she or he must promptly communicate with the student regarding the alleged act of misconduct and the information upon which the allegation is based within 30 calendar days of discovery of the alleged act. Under special circumstances, the instructor may make a request for an extension of time through the Vice Provost for Administrative Resolution. If the discovery is made by a teaching assistant, reader, grader, or tutor, he or she should immediately communicate to the Faculty member in charge of the course, so that the Faculty member in charge can proceed with the investigation. Whenever possible, the communication should take place through an in-person consultation and should be conducted in a manner that respects each student's privacy and maintains an environment that supports teaching and learning. When a meeting is not possible or practical, an instructor may communicate with the student in writing. Written communication will be sent to the student's University e-mail address. When multiple students are involved, faculty members are encouraged to communicate with each student separately. The Faculty member or the student may request the assistance of the Ombudsperson at the conference to assist in a fair and focused discussion about what may have occurred. The student must be given the opportunity to respond to the allegation of misconduct. When communication is made in writing, students will be given 14 calendar days to respond. After conferring with the student and/or considering the student's written response, the faculty member may determine there has been no misconduct, in which case she or he may dismiss the allegation and take no further action. If the faculty member determines that it is more likely than not that the student committed an act of academic misconduct, regardless of the student’s intent to engage in misconduct, the instructor may then pursue one of the following actions: A. In cases where the student does not dispute the facts upon which the charges are based, the instructor may impose an appropriate academic sanction, taking into account the clarity of course expectations, the level of the student’s experience or knowledge of principles of academic integrity, the nature of the assignment, and the degree of intentionality and pre-meditation of the misconduct. These admissions of guilt and the sanction the instructor imposes are final. Actions taken must be documented through the Academic Misconduct Referral form, or a referral memo to SCAIP, the central location where all records of incidents of academic dishonesty are kept on file. It is essential that the form or referral memo include the student's name and student identification number, the name of the class in which the act took place, the date or time period in which the act occurred, a description of the academic misconduct, a summary of actions taken, all original documentation supporting the charge, and the academic sanctions assigned. B. In cases where the student disputes the facts upon which the charges are based, the instructor will refer the case to SCAIP. The Academic Misconduct Referral form or memo must include the student's name and student identification number, the name of the class in which the act took place, the date or time period in which the act occurred, a description of the academic misconduct, a summary of actions taken by the instructor, all original documentation supporting the charge (except where prohibited by law), and the academic sanctions recommended. Faculty members are encouraged to forward a copy of the course syllabus and other written communication that addresses academic integrity standards and expectations for the course. Faculty are further encouraged to evaluate the assignment or examination on its merits and to make note of the grade to be assigned in the event that the student is not found responsible for violation of the University's policies or where insufficient evidence exists to hold the student responsible. Faculty members who will not be available to participate fully in resolving allegations (e.g., Individuals holding part-time or temporary appointments, those on sabbatical or other leave, or those leaving University employment) must provide a copy of all documentation to the immediate supervising administrator: department chair, program director, center director, or dean of school, who will serve as a proxy for the Faculty member to conclude the case. If grades are awarded while the case is in progress, the Faculty member is expected to assign a temporary grade placeholder of Grade Delay “GD” pending the outcome of the review process. The Faculty member is encouraged to evaluate the disputed assignment or examination on its merits and to note the grade to be assigned in the event that the student is not found responsible for violation of the University of California Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline or where insufficient evidence exists to hold the student responsible. C. Violations that the instructor believes to be particularly egregious shall be referred directly to the School or College Academic Integrity Committee in the instructor's School or College for review. (Am 29 May 12)

The student may not avoid the imposition of a sanction by withdrawing from a course. If the student is found not responsible for academic misconduct, the student will be permitted to request a withdrawal from the course with a grade of "W" using Undergraduate Enrollment Adjustment Procedures. (Am 29 May 12)