Academic Dishonesty

Scope

This policy covers student academic dishonesty and establishes procedures to address allegations of academic dishonesty and appeal.

When college officials award credit, degrees, and certificates, they must assume the absolute integrity of the work students have done; therefore, it is important that students maintain the highest standard of honor in their scholastic work.

The college does not tolerate academic dishonesty. The following conduct, including Cheating, Data Misrepresentation, facilitating Academic Dishonesty, or Plagiarism, in addition to others at the college’s discretion, will be adjudicated in accordance with proceses set forth in this policy, consistent with the terms and definitions herein.

Responsibilities

This policy applies to students, faculty, and the Office of the Dean of Students. The Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs and Office of the Dean of Students are responsible for updating and maintaining this policy.

Definitions

1. Academic Dishonesty: This is when a student intentionally engages in deceptive conduct to gain an unfair advantage in his/her academic work
2. Cheating: This is a form of academic dishonesty. Using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. This includes using another person’s work and then submitting as one’s own work; allowing another to take an examination in one’s name; submitting identical or similar papers in more than one course without obtaining permission from the instructors of all the courses involved. Also, cheating on quizzes, tests, and examinations, unauthorized cooperation between students, unauthorized help from others, and the unauthorized use of software, databases, or expert advice that is contrary to the instructions of the professor/instructor.
3. Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: This is a form of academic dishonesty. Helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty or seeking unauthorized answers for assignments, quizzes, or tests.
4. Plagiarism: This is a form of academic dishonesty. Presenting as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source without proper citation. This may include unauthorized use of AI tools. Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, with each instance being treated equally, regardless of intent.
5. Data Misrepresentation: This is a form of academic dishonesty. Fabricating data; deliberately presenting assignment data that were not gathered in accordance with assigned guidelines or are deliberately fabricated; or providing an inaccurate account of the method by which data were gathered and generated.
6. Copyright Infringement: Conduct or activities that violate federal copyright laws including, but not limited to, written or electronic media. Also, uploading course materials to commercial websites (such as Course Hero, Chegg, etc.) are acts of academic dishonesty.

All Health Care Program Students should consult their individual Health Care Program Handbook for additional information pertaining to academic dishonesty.

Addressing Allegations of Academic Dishonesty

When a faculty member believes a student engaged in an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member will decide whether to impose an informal or formal disciplinary action. If the disciplinary action is informal, the faculty member will notify the student of the allegation via the student’s Virginia Community College System (VCCS) email account, Canvas inbox, or verbally with a written follow up after the discussion. The faculty member may require the student to repeat, resubmit, or complete an alternate form of the item(s) or assignment in question but will not deduct points. It will be considered a teachable moment. The faculty member will not report the allegation to the Dean of Students Office. The faculty member will maintain the documentation related to the allegation. A student with a complaint about an informal warning may utilize the Student Grievance Policy and Procedure to seek redress.  

If the faculty member chooses to take a formal disciplinary action, the faculty member will notify the student of the allegation and the formal disciplinary action being taken via the student’s VCCS email account, Canvas Inbox, or verbally with a written follow up after the discussion. The faculty member will forward documentation related to the allegation to the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students or designee will send a letter to the student’s VCCS email account, with a copy to the faculty member, indicating that a report was received from the faculty member and additional disciplinary action taken by the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students or designee may impose a written admonition, suspension or dismissal as the additional disciplinary action. A student with a complaint about a formal warning, the disciplinary action taken by the faculty member and/or the Dean of Students or designee may submit an appeal to the Dean of Students or designee. The Dean of Students or designee will forward the appeal to the Academic Integrity Committee (AIC). The AIC will hear the student’s appeal and determine whether to affirm, reduce or dismiss the disciplinary sanctions taken by the faculty member and/or the Dean of Students or designee.  

Disciplinary Actions

Faculty members must administer one of the following disciplinary actions if a student is found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty:

1. An informal warning: A verbal or written statement to the student that the student has committed an act of academic dishonesty that is prohibited at the institution and may result in more severe disciplinary action should the student be found to have engaged in any subsequent act of academic dishonesty. The faculty member will not penalize the student’s grade on the assignment. A report will not be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee. The faculty member will be responsible for maintaining their own documentation related to an informal warning. 
2. A formal disciplinary action and the requirement that the student repeat or re-submit an equivalent quiz, test, examination, exercise or assignment in question. The identical quiz, test, examination, exercise or assignment may not be given. A report will be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee. 
3. A formal disciplinary action and the assignment of the grade of “F” (numeric grade of zero) on the quiz, test, examination, exercise, or assignment in question. A report will be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee. 
4. A formal disciplinary action and administrative withdrawal from the course, after the appeals process has been exhausted, when a student’s act of academic dishonesty results in the inability to successfully meet the learning outcomes. A report will be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee.  
5. A formal disciplinary action and an assignment of the grade of “F” for the course and removal from the course after the appeals process has been exhausted. A report will be submitted to the Dean of Students or designee.  

Reporting Acts of Academic Dishonesty to the Dean of Students or Designee

A faculty member must provide the Dean of Students or designee and the Academic Dean or designee with a written report of any formal disciplinary action taken in response to an act of academic dishonesty within seven (7) business days (a business day is defined as a Monday-Friday when the college is open) of the administration of disciplinary action. The faculty report to the Dean of Students or designee must be completed utilizing the Academic Dishonesty Electronic Reporting Form. The report must include the name of the accused student, the course number and class section number, the student’s EMPLID, the nature of the offense, and the specific disciplinary action taken. The report must also include all supportive documentation. 

Disciplinary Actions that May be Taken by the Dean of Students or Designee

All reports of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Dean of Students or designee. The Dean of Students or designee may assign a disciplinary action including but not limited to: placing a letter of admonition in the student file, suspending the student from the institution for a period of time not to exceed one year, and/or dismissing the student from the college. The student will be notified by the Dean of Students or designee in writing of any action within ten (10) business days of the faculty member’s report. Any student suspended or dismissed will have a statement of the action included on the academic record. In addition, a student who is suspended or dismissed will be withdrawn from all future coursework in which the student is enrolled, after the appeals process has been exhausted, exclusive of the course in which an “F” may have been assigned as part of disciplinary action. The student may be allowed to complete the semester in which they are currently enrolled.  

Appeals to the Academic Integrity Committee

A student who has been found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty by a faculty member may appeal the sanction(s) to the Academic Integrity Committee.  All appeals must be received within ten (10) business days of the imposition of the sanction by the faculty member or within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the formal notification (letter) from the Dean of Students or designee. Students who appeal will be afforded the opportunity of a hearing. 

The Academic Integrity Committee

The Academic Integrity Committee is appointed annually and consists of eleven members of the faculty (teaching, professional or administrative). At least four members of the committee will join the chair in considering a specific appeal.   

Appeals Hearings

1.  A student who has made an appeal will receive a written or electronic notification from the chair of the Academic Integrity Committee of the time, place, and date of the hearing at least five (5) business days before the hearing. The student may elect not to appear at a hearing, but the hearing will be held in the student’s absence. If a student elects not to appear at the hearing, the student may submit a statement to the committee chair at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Hearings will be closed to the public. 

2.  No tape recorder or other recording devices may be present or utilized during the hearing. The student will be given an opportunity to speak at the hearing and to present witnesses on the student’s behalf.

3.  The student may be accompanied by another individual at the hearing, but this person may not participate in the hearing. If the student wishes to be accompanied by another individual at the hearing, a request must be submitted to the chair of the committee no less than 48 hours prior to the hearing. 

4.  The faculty member and/or Dean of Students or designee will be given an opportunity to speak at the hearing and to present witnesses. 

5.  The involved faculty member should cooperate with the committee in furtherance of the hearing, including, but not limited to, attendance at the hearing, responsive answers to questions at the hearing, and production of all supporting documentation, if so requested by the committee. 

6.  The committee may request the appearance of and question witnesses. The student may direct questions to such witnesses, the faculty member and the Dean of Students or designee through the chair of the committee. 

7.  The faculty member may direct questions to the student, witnesses and/or the Dean of Students or designee through the chair of the committee. The committee will affirm, reduce or dismiss the decision of the faculty member or the Dean of Students or designee. The student will receive written notification of the committee’s decision from the Dean of Students or designee within fifteen (15) business days of the conclusion of the hearing with a copy to the involved faculty member and the appropriate Academic Dean or designee 

8.  Committee decisions are made by majority vote. In case of a tie, the Dean of Students or designee will serve as the tie breaker.  

Appeals to the Vice President of Student Affairs

A student may appeal the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee within ten (10) business days of the notification of the committee’s decision. The Vice President or designee will review the entire academic dishonesty proceeding and provide the student with a written notification of the findings and decision within ten (10) business days of the receipt of the appeal. The decision of the Vice President or designee is final. 

Records of Academic Dishonesty Actions and Appeals

All records of academic dishonesty actions and appeals will not be available to unauthorized persons without the express written permission of the student, court subpoena or other exceptions made under the conditions specified in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.