Academic Integrity Policy
Trocaire College recognizes the fundamental principle of academic integrity. Honest participation in academic endeavors fosters an environment in which optimal learning can take place and is consistent with the mission of Trocaire College. Dishonest behavior compromises the validity of Trocaire College’s ethical practices, which threatens the standing of all who graduate from and/or affiliate with the college.
Trocaire College expects its student body and affiliates to understand the various forms of Academic Dishonesty, to actively avoid these behaviors, and instead choose actions that uphold Academic Integrity.
DEFINITIONS: | |
|---|---|
Academic Leadership Team | A group of academic administrators who make important governance decisions at the College. Team may consist of deans, Assistant Vice President of Academic Operations and the Vice President of Academic Affairs. |
Academic Integrity | A commitment to fundamental moral values such as honesty, trust, decency, respect and responsibility in the academic setting. |
Academic Dishonesty | Misconduct associated with any academic environment including classroom, online, laboratory or clinical learning process. |
Examples of Academic Dishonesty can include, but are not limited to the following: | |
Cheating | Completing course work by providing or receiving inappropriate assistance from a person or reference, or using unauthorized material such as, but not limited to, notes of any form, texts, test banks, wireless devices such as cell phones, tablets, or smart watches, calculators, formulas or computers, unless otherwise directed or permitted by the course instructor. This includes, but is not limited to: (a) use of unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests or examinations (b) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments (c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College faculty or staff. |
Plagiarism | Plagiarism is intellectual theft and includes, but is not limited to (a) copying and pasting information directly from a website into tests and assignments (b) unauthorized use of copyrighted material or misrepresentation of someone else’s work, including that of another student, as one’s own in any course work (c) using papers/writings from an agency engaged in selling of term papers or other academic materials, or such an agency that offers to write your papers for a fee (d) attributing citations to inaccurate or misleading sources. |
Self-Plagiarism | Unauthorized use of one’s own work or part of a work, either from the same course or from another course, in more than one assignment. |
Aiding in Academic Dishonesty | Knowingly taking action that allows another student to engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, completing an examination or assignment for another student or obtaining an examination or completed assignment for another student. You cannot complete an assignment for another student or take an examination for another student. |
Academic Deceit | Forgery, alteration or misuse of any College or official document, record, or instrument of identification such as grade changes, course withdrawals, or other academic procedures. Academic deceit also entails providing false information or documentation with the intent to obtain an exemption, extension or exception to assignments, exams, presentations, and other course work. |
Interference | Interfering with the work of another student. Examples include, but are not limited to: sabotaging (including failing to contribute to) group projects or laboratory work, disrupting in-class work including tests and quizzes, altering computer files or online posts or making educational materials such as equipment or texts unavailable to others |
Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty | The College reserves the right to act upon other actions that a reasonable person would consider academic dishonesty that may not be listed specifically above. |
PROCEDURES:
A statement is included in each instructor’s course outline and on the common LMS/Moodle landing page under Student Resources regarding academic integrity and the penalties to be involved.
First instances of Academic Integrity violations in a course are typically resolved between the instructor and student and noted to Academic Affairs record. When a faculty member encounters an incident of academic dishonesty, they will submit the Academic Integrity Violation Reporting Form online, that details the alleged incident, and provides evidentiary documentation. The Dean for the course will determine whether other incidences of academic dishonesty have been reported. All violations will be tracked by the Academic Leadership Team and in the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs.
If a staff member or student witnesses or suspects academic misconduct, they are encouraged to report the violation to the faculty teaching the course.
The instructor contacts the student within five days of the discovery of the alleged act of dishonesty. Upon verification of the Academic Integrity violation, the potential penalties are discussed with the student. When the penalty is imposed within the context of the course, faculty indicates to the student the penalties to be imposed. Every effort will be made to resolve minor infractions at the classroom level.
If it is determined that multiple incidences of academic dishonesty have been reported, the appropriate Dean meets with the student to discuss these violations and any additional penalty.
If the recommendation is suspension from the College, the Academic Leadership Team reviews the recommendation and renders a decision.
The written decision is provided to the student within three (3) business days following the meeting of the Academic Leadership team. The letter contains, minimally, a statement of action, and a brief rationale for the decision.
The student according to the College Academic Appeals Policy #663 may appeal this academic decision.
PENALTIES
If a violation of academic integrity is established the following consequences will apply: A. First violation within a course – Faculty member will impose penalties that could include, but are not limited to:
Written warning to student
Resubmission of assignment
Lower grade on assignment/exam
Zero on paper/assignment/exam
Additional assignmentSecond violation within a course – Failure of the course in which the academic dishonesty occurs. The Program Director will issue a written reprimand that becomes part of the permanent student record.
Multiple violations across several courses in program – Suspension/dismissal from the program. Dean may suspend the student from the program for a period of one semester or more. This does not prohibit the student from remaining at the College in another program.
Determination of a repeated pattern of Academic Integrity Violations by Academic Team – dismissal from the College.
Copyright Infringement and File Sharing
In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the College is required to address unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials, including unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing. All faculty, staff and students are expected to comply with federal copyright laws. Persons found to have engaged in such unauthorized behaviors may be subject to civil and criminal penalties, including, but not limited to: exclusion from access to specific technologies or facilities, loss of computer and network privileges, requirement to make full restitution and/or criminal prosecution. For more information, see the College’s Student Handbook policy entitled Technology – Acceptable Use Policy. A copy of the College’s administrative regulation (Regulation No. 191) pertaining to copyright infringement and file sharing can be obtained by requesting it from the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.