8.3.1 Academic Honesty (SD4396S)
amended by
SD4406S
As a community of scholars dedicated to learning and the
pursuit of knowledge UNC Asheville relies on the honesty and academic integrity
of all the members of its community. Any
act of plagiarism or cheating is academic dishonesty. A person who knowingly
assists another in cheating is likewise guilty of cheating. According to the
instructor’s view of the gravity of the offense, a student may be punished by a
failing grade or a grade of zero for the assignment or test, or a failing grade
in the course. If it seems warranted, the instructor may also recommend to the
Provost dismissal or other serious university sanction.
A student accused of academic dishonesty should talk with his or her
instructor. In all situations where a student has been disciplined for
plagiarism or cheating, the instructor is to submit to the VCAA a brief
statement of the case; the student is to receive a copy of this document.
Depending upon the severity and/or repetition of the offense, the VCAA may
choose to impose a penalty of cancellation of graduation with honors;
cancellation of scholarships; dismissal from the university; or any other
penalty which he or she deems logical and deserved. A student has 10 class
days to respond to this document, in writing; this response is to be sent to
the VCAA for attachment to the document submitted by the instructor.
The student may choose to contact the Faculty Conciliator, who will
advise the student of his or her rights, and attempt to mediate between the
student and the instructor before proceeding to bring the case before the
Academic Appeals Board. If the student is satisfied with the results of this
mediation, then the formal hearing before the Board will not take place. The
request for this formal hearing must be made by the student within ten class
days of receiving the copy of the instructor's statement to the VCAA.
8.3.2 Policy on Academic Misconduct (SD2282)
(SD2520S)
Charges of Academic Misconduct
In the event that an instructor accuses a student of
academic misconduct, the student has the right to a hearing to determine the question of
fact. Pursuant to that determination, disciplinary action such as the lowering of a grade
due to the alleged action will be held in abeyance. In determining the facts the burden of
proof will be upon the instructor who makes the allegation.
Definition
Academic Misconduct is any act that constitutes cheating or plagiarism.
Procedures
Step 1. The student shall request a hearing by conferring with the Faculty Conciliator (see
Section 10.3.3)
within ten class days of the accusation. Failure to meet this time limit is taken as
acknowledgment that the instructor's charge is true and any right to a later hearing is
forfeited.
Step 2. The Faculty Conciliator will in writing request from the instructor a written
statement of the charge, and the nature of the evidence upon which the charge rests. Upon
receipt of this, the Conciliator may attempt to resolve the matter directly.
Step 3. If this appears to be inappropriate or is unsuccessful, the Conciliator forwards a
copy of the instructor's charge to the student and to the Chair of the Academic
Appeals Boards (AAB, see Section 10.2.7).
Step 4. The Chair of the AAB will invite the student to provide a written response to the instructor’s charge. The instructor’s charge and the student’s response will be provided to the AAB members attending the hearing prior to the meeting.
*Step 5. The Chair of the AAB will convene the hearing no sooner than five class days or
later than 10 class days after receipt of the statement of charges. At the closed hearing,
the instructor as well as the student will be present. Witnesses for either party may be
called in to present evidence. After the instructor has presented the charge and
supporting evidence, the student has the opportunity to be heard and to present evidence
and his or her explanation of what took place in the matter of academic misconduct.
Step 6. The AAB by a simple majority of those present shall determine the question of fact
based upon the preponderance of evidence. The AAB Chair shall then notify in writing both
parties to the Hearing. If it is found that the instructor has not proven the case against
the student, the AAB should indicate in writing that any action taken by the instructor to
lower the student's grade or otherwise punish the student on the basis of the original
accusation would not be justified by the evidence.
A statement of the AAB's findings shall be forwarded to the Registrar's Office for
inclusion in the student's file.
Step 7. If the AAB determines that this is a second offense or more by the student, it may
recommend dismissal to the VCAA.
*A class day is any day in which the University is in session according to the academic
fall-spring calendar. If the student is unable to file a grievance due to the end of
classes for the summer, the student must notify the Conciliator in writing within 20 days
of his or her intention to file when classes resume in the fall.
8.3.3 Class Attendance (see
Section
3.1.4.3.4)
8.3.4 Student Grievance Procedure (SD2620S SD2981;
See also the UNC Asheville
Student Handbook)
A student grievance procedure exists to serve all enrolled students at
UNC Asheville in the event
that they judge they have been improperly or unfairly treated in academic matters. The
detailed procedure may be found in the Student Handbook. It should be noted that written
notice of the grievance must be filed with the Faculty Conciliator within 20 class days
of the incident or of the time a student could reasonably be expected to know of the
incident.
Purpose
The purpose of the student grievance procedure is to provide each student enrolled at
UNC Asheville
with a standardized, formal process for seeking a resolution when, in their judgment, they have
been treated unfairly or improperly in an academic matter by a faculty member of this
University.
Definitions
Unfair or improper treatment of a student by a faculty member is defined to be:
- The instructor's failure to abide by stated university policies, or failure to abide by
written or stated course policies in such a way as to adversely affect the student's
academic standing;
- abusive or improper conduct on the part of the instructor that clearly has an adverse
affect on the student's academic standing,
- the instructor's prejudiced or capricious grading practices.
Grievance Procedure
Step 1. If a student believes that they havebeen treated unfairly or improperly by a
faculty member, a conference must be scheduled with the instructor to discuss the matter.
The student must explain their position to the instructor and attempt to understand
the justification for the instructor's actions. The purpose of this meeting is to attempt
to reach a mutual understanding of the student's situation and the instructor's actions
and to resolve all differences in an informal, cooperative manner.
Step 2. If, because of the circumstances of the grievance, it is impractical to consult
promptly with the instructor, or if the student is unsatisfied with the results of Step 1,
the student must seek the assistance of the Faculty Conciliator within 20 class days
after the incident, or after the time the student could reasonably be expected to know of
the incident. The Conciliator's role is to guide the student through the remaining steps.
Step 3. Within five class days after the initial meeting with the student, the
Conciliator must then meet with the instructor and the instructor's chairperson in order
to seek an amicable solution. If, when the Conciliator reports to the student the
substance of the meeting, the student is still dissatisfied, he or she may then wish to proceed
to Step 4 and file a formal grievance.
Step 4. To file a grievance, the student must obtain a grievance petition from the
Conciliator. The petition must specify the date of the incident and detail the student's
grievance against the instructor. The student must then file the petition with the
Conciliator. This filing must occur within 20 class days of the incident or of the time a
student could reasonably be expected to know of the incident. In cases of doubt concerning
the application of the time limit, the Conciliator will decide. Failure to meet this
deadline forfeits the right of appeal. The Conciliator must then immediately forward a
copy of the petition to the instructor, to the instructor's department Chair, and the
Chair of the AAB.
Step 5. Upon receipt of the student complaint, the Chair of the AAB will invite the instructor to provide a written response. If the grievance is related to any form of accommodation, the Office of Accessibility will also be invited to provide clarification of the relevant accommodation policy.
Step 6. The Chair of the AAB shall convene a meeting of the Board no sooner than five
class days nor longer than ten class days after receipt of the Grievance Petition. In a
closed hearing, the student shall present their grievance, along with relevant supporting
evidence and pertinent arguments. They may only address issues that are described in the
Grievance Petition. The instructor shall be given an opportunity to respond to the
charges. The votes of two faculty members and two student members that are in concurrence
with the student's position shall be required in order for the grievance to be found
valid.
Step 7. If a grievance is unfounded the AAB shall provide written notification of that
fact to the student, the faculty member, and the departmental Chair. If a grievance is
deemed valid, the Board shall forward a written account of its deliberations, including
its recommendations for redress, to the student, the faculty member, the department Chair,
and the VCAA. The Chair of the AAB, after consultation with the VCAA, shall convene a
meeting of themselves, the VCAA, the Conciliator, and the faculty member to discuss the
matter and suggest strategies for resolving the grievance.
Faculty Conciliator (see Section 10.3.3)
Academic Appeals Board (AAB) (see Section
10.2.7)
8.3.5 Student Referrals
(SD5606S)
In the case of disruptive behavior by students in the learning
environment see Section 5.2.10 Disruptive
Behavior in the Classroom. Other disruptive
behavior may be referred as outlined in the
Student Code of Community
Standards.
If there are concerns about the well-being of a student, whether academically or personally, faculty and staff are encouraged to facilitate a conversation with the student or to refer students to the CARE and Crisis Team.