Academic Integrity

Preamble

Academic integrity and careful attention to the ideals of academic honesty are crucial to colleges and universities and all of the work that they do; conversely, academic dishonesty undermines the very basis upon which institutions of higher education are organized and function. All students at Claremont Graduate University are expected to meet the highest standards of integrity in all of their academic work.  Toward that end, Standards of Academic Integrity and procedures to enforce these standards fairly across all CGU students are hereby adopted.

Standards of Academic Integrity

The Standards of Academic Integrity proscribe (but are not limited to) the giving or receiving of unauthorized aid in examinations or on assignments, plagiarism and other unacknowledged or undocumented use of source material, purchasing or other procurement of academic work completed by others and submitted as one’s own, misrepresentation or falsification of academic history or credentials, and forgery.

Violations of Standards

A student shall be subject to discipline for any violation of the Standards of Academic Integrity.

Disciplinary Sanctions

Sanctions should be appropriate to the violations and will include, but not be limited to, any of the following: an official reprimand; a point or grade reduction for an assignment; a requirement to repeat an assignment, an examination, or a course; a requirement to complete training on academic integrity or related issues; a requirement to complete an alternative assignment or examination; a failing grade for an assignment, an examination, or a course; suspension; dismissal from an academic program or the University; or revocation of a certificate or degree.

Committee on Academic Integrity

1. A Committee on Academic Integrity (CAI) is established.
2. Its primary purposes shall be, in accordance with the procedures outlined below, to receive and evaluate evidence of alleged violations of the Standards of Academic Integrity and to make recommendations for the disposition of cases involving alleged violations, including recommending sanctions for cases in which a violation is deemed to have occurred. The Committee shall also make recommendations to the CGU Provost (hereafter, the Provost) and to the Faculty (through the Faculty Executive Committee) for changes in standards and procedures, as it deems appropriate, and shall report annually to the Faculty Executive Committee. 
3. All full-time CGU faculty members (tenure track and term appointments) who have achieved rank of associate or full professor are eligible to serve on the CAI.  Individuals who have full-time or part-time administrative appointments are also eligible to serve.  All currently enrolled and degree-seeking students in good academic standing and who do not have any pending Academic Integrity violations are eligible to serve. 
4. A large pool of potential CAI committee members will be identified and drawn from in empaneling separate committees that will evaluate one or more cases of alleged violations.  Specifically, the Dean/Director of each academic unit is responsible for identifying a minimum of two faculty members to serve two-year staggered terms in this pool, and in consultation with the Graduate Student Council, a minimum of two students to serve two-year staggered terms.  Deans/Directors should attempt to ensure that there is diversity among the individuals identified and in the broader pool in identifying potential CAI members.  In addition, 2-4 members of the University administration will be assigned for duty on the CAI for two-year staggered terms.  Collectively, these individuals will serve as the pool of potential members of a CAI.  They are responsible for completing designated trainings on academic integrity issues, attending and participating in meetings, and helping to inform the campus community about academic integrity issues and best practices.
5. The Associate Provost for Academic Affairs or other Provost designate will manage the academic integrity process and regularly empanel a CAI and with attention to avoiding conflicts of interest and striving for diversity in committee membership.  This person also will be available to serve on the CAI as needed.  Individuals who have an actual or perceived conflict of interest with a pending case should not serve as members of the CAI for that case. 

Procedures

In cases of an alleged violation, regardless of when the alleged violation(s) occurred, these general procedures will be followed:

1. A faculty member, staff member, administrator, or student who believes that a student(s) has violated one or more of the Standards of Academic Integrity will promptly so inform the student(s) and discuss with the student(s) the reasons for this belief.  Efforts should be made to have a meeting with the accused student(s) or to otherwise obtain feedback from the accused student(s) about the alleged violation.  It is generally expected that alleged violations noted by staff members, teaching assistants, or other students will be pursued by faculty members or administrators who have teaching or program responsibility or other relevant academic oversight.  Allegations of violations by students from outside CGU will be directed to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs or Provost designate for prompt review and action. 
2. If, after learning the student’s response/discussion, it is determined that no violation occurred, no further action is required.  However, if the faculty member or administrator continues to believe that a violation has occurred, the case shall proceed in one of the following ways:
   • The faculty member or administrator may attempt to resolve the matter in a satisfactory manner.  If the matter is so resolved, the faculty member or administrator shall report the matter and its resolution in writing to the Provost’s Office, including submitting any materials or evidence relevant to substantiating the violation (e.g., copies of student papers or exams). The Provost’s Office will refer these materials to the CAI for regular review and informational purposes but not for additional action.  In addition, a note of the violation will be made and kept in the student’s confidential file in the Provost’s Office.  The Provost’s Office will notify the student that this violation has been recorded, with copies of this notification going to the reporting faculty member or administrator, the academic unit head or Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled, the Dean of Students, and the Registrar.
   • If the student(s) is not satisfied with the proposed disposition of the violation, the student(s) may independently appeal the issue to the CAI, including submitting any exculpatory materials or evidence. 
   • If the faculty member or administrator cannot resolve the matter in a satisfactory manner, that person will refer the case to the CAI, including with information on the reasons for the belief that a violation has occurred and any materials or evidence relevant to substantiating the violation (e.g., copies of student papers or exams). In referring the case, the faculty member or administrator may comment on the perceived severity of the alleged violation(s) and also recommend sanctions.
3. Any student alleged to have committed more than one violation (either because of prior or concurrent instances of the same or different violations) will be referred to the CAI by the Provost’s Office and notified in writing that their case has been referred to the CAI.  In these cases, the CAI will evaluate the separate allegations as needed and also determine if there is a pattern of misconduct, and if so, suggest appropriate sanctions for the individual or combined violations.
4. When a case is referred to the CAI, the student and reporting faculty member or administrator will be promptly notified and given the opportunity to submit written statements and materials for CAI review.  The CAI can consult with these parties to determine the necessity for or desirability of collecting additional materials or holding a hearing either for determining whether or not a violation has been committed, and for making a recommendation about appropriate sanctions in the case of a violation(s).  For cases in which potential sanctions include suspension or dismissal from the program or University, the CAI is obliged to hold a hearing at which the accused student can ask and answer questions.  Furthermore, hearings on cases should be convened in as expeditious a manner as possible. 
5. The CAI will review and adjudicate cases, promptly deciding whether or not a violation or violations have occurred and will submit a written report of its findings to the Provost. If the CAI decides that a violation or violations have occurred, it will include in its report its recommendation(s) of sanctions that it considers appropriate. The CAI will also transmit the relevant files to the Provost.
6. Within a reasonable time, the Provost will then review the case and decide whether to accept or reject the recommendation of the CAI, to modify it, or to remand the case to the CAI for further determinations. The Provost will promptly notify the student, the reporting faculty member or administrator, the academic unit head or Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled, the Dean of Students, the Registrar, and the CAI in writing of the action taken. 
7. The student as well as the reporting faculty member or administrator may appeal the Provost’s decision to the President.  This appeal must be made within a reasonable time and should clearly state the grounds for the appeal. 
8. If an appeal is made, the Provost’s Office will promptly transmit all case material and determinations to the President. The President will act within a reasonable time, and may concur with the decision of the Provost, may choose to modify the decision, may dismiss the case, or may decide to remand the case to the CAI for further determinations. In all actions by the President but the last, the case will be considered closed.
9. All case material and written determinations for alleged student violations of Standards of Academic Integrity will be permanently retained in confidential files in the Provost’s Office.  For cases that result in suspension or dismissal from the academic program or University, a note will be added to the student’s transcript that this action was taken due to academic misconduct.   

Degrees or Certificates Awarded

If evidence arises that an academic degree or certificate was earned in violation of the Standards of Academic Integrity, a faculty member, administrator, or the CAI may recommend to the Provost that the degree or certificate be revoked. The Provost may then refer the matter to the CAI for its recommendation. If the CAI recommends to the Provost that the degree or certificate be revoked, the Provost will forward his or her own recommendation to the CGU faculty, then to the President who, in turn, will forward his or her own recommendation to the Board of Trustees. The Board will have final authority in decisions regarding revocation of degrees or certificates.