Students are expected to conduct themselves in an honorable manner in all of their academic work. All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at John Tyler Community College. Cheating on quizzes, tests, and examinations, unauthorized cooperation between students, unauthorized help from others, plagiarism, and the unauthorized use of software, databases, or expert advice that is contrary to the instructions of the professor are acts of academic dishonesty. Nursing students should consult the Nursing Handbook for additional information pertaining to academic dishonesty. Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic and Emergency Medical Technician students should consult the JTCC Emergency Medical Services Student Handbook for additional information pertaining to academic dishonesty.
Addressing Allegations of Academic Dishonesty
If a faculty member has reason to believe that a student has engaged in an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member should make the student aware of his or her suspicion and do so in a manner and place that ensures the confidentiality of their conversation. Following this discussion, if the faculty member remains convinced of the student’s act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member must inform the student in confidence that the student is being found to have committed an act of academic dishonesty and specify the disciplinary action that is being administered. The faculty member must also inform the student that the Dean of Students will be notified.
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:
- A formal warning: A written statement to the student that he or she 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.
- A formal warning 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 will not be given.
- A formal warning and the assignment of the grade of F (numeric grade of zero) on the quiz, test, examination, exercise, or assignment in question.
- Assignment of the grade of F and removal from the course after the appeals process has been exhausted.
Reporting Acts of Academic Dishonesty to the Dean of Students
A faculty member must provide the Dean of Students and the Academic Dean with a written report of any 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 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
All reports of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students 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 in writing of any action within ten (10) business days. 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 coursework in which he or she 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.
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 saction(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 by the Dean. 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 nine members of the faculty. At least four members of the committee will join the chair in considering a specific appeal
Appeals Hearings
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 his or her absence. If a student elects not to appear at the hearing, the student may submit a signed statement to the committee chair at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Hearings will be closed to the public.
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 his or her behalf.
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.
The faculty member and/or Dean of Students will be given an opportunity to speak at the hearing and to present witnesses.
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.
The committee may request the appearance of and question witnesses.
The student may direct questions to such witnesses, the faculty member and the Dean through the chair of the committee.
The faculty member may direct questions to the student, witnesses and the Dean through the chair of the committee. The committee may affirm, reduce or dismiss the decision of the faculty member or the Dean. The student will receive written notification of the committee’s decision from the Dean of Students within fifteen (15) business days of the conclusion of the hearing with a copy to the involved faculty member and the appropriate Academic Dean.
Appeals to the Vice President of Learning and Student Success
A student may appeal the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee in writing to the Vice President of Learning and Student Success or designee within ten (10) business days of the receipt 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 remain confidential and will be maintained in the Dean of Students office. Such information 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.
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