Penalties for Academic Integrity Violations and Guidelines for Their Imposition

All violations of academic integrity are viewed with gravity by the College community.  The guidelines below are intended to assist Panels or Boards in imposing penalties that reflect the seriousness of integrity violations, while permitting flexibility in cases that involve unusual or mitigating circumstances.  The penalties below may be assigned when a student pleads that he or she is in violation of academic integrity or is found by a Panel or Board to be in violation of academic integrity; more than one penalty may be assigned for the same violation.  If the violation involves a course in which the student is enrolled, a grade penalty must be assigned. In determining the imposition of a penalty, the Panel or Board may consider both student's prior academic integrity record and a student’s conduct record.

Grade Penalties

A. F in the course 

Barring unusual circumstances, an F in the course is the minimum penalty for a student found to be in violation of αcademic integrity.  Its assignment results in the involuntary withdrawal from a course with a failing grade (F) for that course on the permanent transcript of the student. 

B. XF in the course

An XF is the involuntary withdrawal from a course with a failing grade and the designation of XF (Academic Integrity Failure) for that course on the permanent transcript of the student.  An XF can be assigned for a first violation in a case where the Panel or Board finds that the violation involved warrants a more severe penalty than F in the course.  An XF is the minimum penalty for a second violation of academic integrity and is usually accompanied by Academic Integrity Suspension.   

C. Loss of credit on assignment and lowering of course grade

In rare instances, a Panel or Board may find that while a student is in violation of academic integrity, unusual circumstances make a lighter penalty more appropriate.  In this case, the penalty imposed is full loss of credit on the assignment in question as well as a reduction by the instructor of one full letter grade in the student’s final course grade; in addition, Academic Integrity Probation for a specified period of time is usually imposed.

Academic Standing Penalties

A. Academic Integrity Probation 

Academic Integrity Probation is a specific period of time, set by the Panel or Board, and extending at least one regular term fall or spring) beyond the one in which the violation occurred. Further academic integrity violations while on Academic Integrity Probation will usually result in suspension or expulsion from the College.  A notation of this action is kept on the student’s transcript for the period of the probation. In the event that the student receives an Education or Reflection penalty (see below), Academic Integrity Probation will stay on the student's record and transcript until the completion of the required programs and/or assignments for those penalties, or until the expiration of the specific period of time specified by the Panel or Board (if applicable), whichever occurs later.

B. Academic Integrity Suspension 

Academic Integrity Suspension is the involuntary withdrawal of a student from the College for a time set by the Panel or Board, and extending at least one regular term (fall or spring) beyond the one in which the violation occurred.  A permanent notation of this action is recorded on the student’s transcript. 

C. Academic Integrity Expulsion 

Academic Integrity Expulsion is the permanent dismissal of a student from the College for violation(s) of academic integrity. A permanent notation of this action is recorded on the student’s transcript.  AI Expulsion will usually be assigned if a student is found to be in violation of academic integrity after having received an XF for a previous violation, but may be assigned in other circumstances if the Panel or Board finds it appropriate.

Education and Community Restoration

A. Education 

A student found in violation of academic integrity may be required to complete an educational program. The cost of enrollment in this course will be paid by the student. This penalty is appropriate for students who would benefit from guided reflection or training on how to avoid further academic integrity violations. This penalty must be accompanied by Academic Integrity Probation.

B. Reflection 

A student found in violation of academic integrity may be required to submit a letter to the member of the academic community who brought the charge and to the chair of the Academic Integrity Council that addresses the harm, intended or unintended, caused by his or her actions. This penalty is appropriate for students who either failed to understand the implications of their actions or failed to take responsibility for them. The letter must be received within 45 days of the hearing. This penalty must be accompanied by Academic Integrity Probation.

C. Restitution 

Restitution may be αssigned in addition to other penalties when an Academic Integrity violation involves damage to property or persons or theft of property.  If the circumstances warrant, the case will be referred to the Office of Student
Affairs for Student Conduct Code handling.    

Subsequent Academic Integrity Violations

For a second violation, the usual minimum penalty will be XF and Academic Integrity Suspension. The penalty for a third violation of academic integrity will usually be Academic Integrity Expulsion.

Violations Not Involving a Course in which the Student Is Enrolled

If a student is found to be in violation of academic integrity but that violation does not involve a course in which the student is enrolled, the minimum penalty will be Academic Integrity Probation, although Academic Integrity Suspension or Academic Integrity Expulsion may be imposed.

Priority of Academic Integrity Penalties

A grade of F or XF assigned by the Hearing Panel or Board will take precedence over a student’s dropping the course or over any other grade assigned (e.g., a W following a withdrawal or a grade in a completed course).  In a case in which a student is not penalized with a failing grade (e.g., receives full loss of credit on assignment and full letter grade reduction in final course grade), normal policies concerning course withdrawal remain in force.

Read more:  Academic Integrity Council