Procedures Addressing Alleged Violations of Academic Responsibility

• Procedures Addressing Alleged Violations of Academic Responsibility
• Faculty Procedures for Reporting Suspected Violations of Academic Responsibility
• Student Procedures for Reporting Suspected Violations of Academic Responsibility
• Possible Penalties for Violations of Academic Responsibility
• Procedures Addressing Alleged Violations of Academic Responsibility by Faculty Members

Procedures Addressing Alleged Violations of Academic Responsibility

The principle governing the handling of all matters in which academic responsibility is questioned is concern for the privacy of the individual and protection of her or his rights. The faculty member or student who suspects a violation of the honor code may consult with a faculty member or the dean of the College with questions as to what constitutes a violation of academic responsibility, or about procedures.

In these consultations and the following procedures, the name of the suspected individual shall not be revealed except to the faculty member directly involved with the violation, the dean of the College, and such members of the College community as named in the procedures. The record of reports to the dean of the College and of the disposition of cases is to be held in confidence, available only to authorized administrative personnel of the College. Information from this record may be revealed only by the principal administrative officers who have been expressly delegated the authority and have been instructed what part of the information may be appropriately revealed. When a penalty of suspension or withdrawal is imposed, such records are kept indefinitely. In all other cases, the dean of the College destroys the records when the student graduates.

Faculty Procedures for Reporting Suspected Violations of Academic Responsibility

Every case of dishonesty by a student in academic work should be reported in writing to the dean of the College.

When an instructor suspects a violation, it is recommended that she or he discuss the situation with the student. If the student accepts responsibility for the violation, the instructor should submit in writing a report to the dean of the College containing details of the circumstances and documenting evidence if available. After consulting with the dean of the College, the instructor may assign the penalty in the case of a first or minor offense.

When an instructor suspects a violation but the student does not accept responsibility for it, the instructor should submit in writing a report to the dean of the College containing details of the circumstances and documenting evidence if available. The dean of the College will inform the student of the allegation of an honor code violation and discuss it with her. The dean of the College, faculty member, or student may ask that the case be referred to the dean of the faculty or the Academic Administrative Board for adjudication.

In cases of repeated or major offenses (in the opinion of the dean of the College), a student has the choice to have her case judged by either the dean of the faculty or the Academic Administrative Board.

Student Procedures for Reporting Suspected Violations of Academic Responsibility

A student who observes another student in a clear violation of academic responsibility is obligated to maintain the integrity of the honor system by making the violation known to the instructor or the dean of the College.

When a student suspects another student of a violation of the academic honor code, she should speak to the student and encourage her to report herself to the instructor or to the dean of the College. The student alleging the violation should also inform the instructor, who will then discuss the circumstances with the student being charged and, if appropriate, report the violation to the dean of the College. Alternatively, the student alleging the violation may make her report directly to the dean of the College, who will contact the student and the instructor. If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the dean will advise the student of the adjudicating procedures.

Possible Penalties for Violations of Academic Responsibility

The penalties for first and minor offenses are:

1. loss of credit, or failure, for the piece of work; and
2. loss of credit, or failure, in the course.

The penalties for repeated or major offenses are:

1. suspension from the College with notation on the transcript until reinstated as a Mount Holyoke degree candidate, "Suspended by the dean of the College (for specified period of time)," and notation in the permanent file; or
2. required withdrawal from the College with notation on the transcript until reinstated as a Mount Holyoke degree candidate, "Required to withdraw by the dean of the College," and notation in the permanent file.

Procedures Addressing Alleged Violations of Academic Responsibility by Faculty Members

Every case questioning the academic responsibility of a faculty member must be reported in writing to the dean of the faculty. Academic responsibility is here understood to include the observance of academic regulations established by the faculty and the treatment of students in their work and in other academic matters. A student contemplating questioning the academic responsibility of a faculty member should discuss it first with the faculty member and/or the dean of the College. If the student then chooses to report the case formally, the dean of the faculty will discuss it fully with the faculty member and the student, and possibly also with the president, before taking what action seems appropriate.