Academic integrity at UB: Status & Initiatives December 14, 2016 Faculty Senate Executive Committee Elaine R. Cusker, Associate Dean James Jensen, Professor Environmental Engineering

Overview Academic Integrity Prior to 2006 Academic Integrity 2014 Explorations Charge Findings Academic Integrity Today 2015-2016 Campaign Process Lessons learned Draft recommendations

Academic Integrity - Prior to 2006 Previous academic integrity initiatives - 1996 and 2006 Campus wide efforts for greater education, awareness and enforcement. Some revisions to undergraduate policies - 2006 removed retention sunset clause. Maintained relative decentralized enforcement and education. Gradual degradation of efforts and increased inconsistencies in application and sanctions.

Academic Integrity - 2014 Explorations - Charge No comprehensive effort in Academic Integrity programming since 2006 Academic & Student Affairs and University Libraries charged a working group to: Investigate previous UB academic integrity initiatives and their effectiveness. Assess effectiveness of current UB programs that promote academic integrity. Identify best practices in promoting a culture of Academic Integrity at peer institutions. Provide recommendations if an academic integrity initiative is warranted, a process, and potential timeline for implementation.

Academic Integrity - 2014 Explorations: Findings Investigate previous UB initiatives and their effectiveness: Prior campaign in 2006 initiative not sustained. Assess effectiveness of current UB programs: Inconsistent orientation of students and faculty, and enforcement of UB policies and sanctions. Identify best practices to consider in promoting a culture of Academic Integrity at peer institutions: Greater student involvement, more efficient processes, remediation for sanctioned students, transparent reporting, effective awareness campaigns. Recommend a process, and potential timeline for implementation: Internt’l Center for Academic Integrity Assessment Guide.

Academic Integrity at UB Today Current Governing Requirements: Undergraduate and Graduate policies Professional school requirements Education: Students – orientation & classroom Faculty – varied by unit; largely by experience Culture: Espouse values Uneven understanding and enforcement Limited commitment

Academic Integrity – 2015-2016 Campaign: Charge Academic & Student Affairs, and University Libraries Leadership: Appoint 28 member university faculty, staff, student committee to develop a plan to enhance Academic Integrity. To devise and complete a study of the University at Buffalo to identify critical areas of concern regarding the state of academic integrity. Consider the current methods and programs for promoting academic integrity at UB; are these approaches creating a culture of integrity.

Academic Integrity – 2015-2016 Campaign: Charge continued Recommend specific programs for promoting and enforcing academic integrity. Review and assess current faculty senate academic integrity policies to determine effectiveness. Prepare a final report that recommends a potential plan of action to promote a culture of integrity and as needed reforms to the current policies.  

Academic Integrity – 2015-2016 Campaign: Process Fall 2015 to Spring 2016: Subcommittees: Survey, Best Practices, Faculty, Student, and Professional Schools Survey: >4,000 student and 400 faculty responses Focus groups: Students, faculty, and professional schools Spring 2016 to Fall 2016: Data analysis of survey and focus groups Fall 2016 to January 2017: Reconvened with Policies & Framework and Culture & Education subcommittees

Academic Integrity – 2015-2016 Campaign: Lessons Learned to Date, Survey & Focus Groups Education & Policy: Standards and policy education for students and faculty Simplification of policy Lack of equity Pathway for remediation Faculty Role: Educate students for standards of academic integrity in classroom and the discipline Initiate actions for enforcement of university standards and policies

Academic Integrity – 2015-2016 Campaign: Lessons Learned to Date, Survey & Focus Groups Administrative Role: Coordinate campus wide orientations for faculty and students Support faculty educational efforts and enforcement Maintain resources for systematic and transparent reporting

2015-2016 Campaign - Policies & Framework: Draft Recommendations Revise policy to address faculty and student concerns regarding: Complexity of the process Inconsistent application and sanctions Revise policy to simplify the appeal level Permanent record regardless of level of infraction Easier and more transparent reporting Little role for students in adjudication or promotion Establish a campus wide resource for promoting education  

2015-2016 Campaign - Policies & Framework: Draft Recommendations Delineate minimum standards that allow for unique requirements of certain professional schools Establish a university Academic Integrity authority with campus wide faculty/student representatives  

2015-2016 Campaign - Culture & Education: Working Recommendations Overall emphasis on academic integrity as: A learning and ethics-centered value A core UB value - who we are Foundational to life after UB Communication: Part of UB’s current and future branding Messaging to faculty and students from campus leadership  

2015-2016 Campaign - Culture & Education: Working Recommendations Education elements: New faculty orientation; Workshops delivered by with centralized support; On-line materials Undergraduate Orientation and UB Seminars; Infused in all courses Graduate/Professional Students orientations; Infused in all courses  

2015-2016 Campaign – Next Steps Finalize report and recommendations to Academic & Student Affairs and University Libraries Share and review with Faculty Senate, GSA, SA Final recommendations to Faculty Senate Communicate educational opportunities to campus units