1. Academic Integrity at Sinclair
AJ Owen M.Ed.
Student Conduct Officer
Lisa Mahle-Grisez, Ph.D.
Dean of Liberal Arts, Communication, and Social Sciences

2. Overview
Who
What
When
Where
Why
How
Why
Who
When
Where
What
How

3. Why… do we have this policy?
“The intent of the policy is to improve students’ understanding of academic integrity while affirming the concepts and philosophies established in the Sinclair Community College Honor Code.”
(Sinclair AIP 2011)

4. Who… is involved with this policy?
Faculty
This is your policy; investigation, enforcement and documentation.
Instructor
Chair – this is typically who will submit the report*
Dean (Assistant)
Provost (Assistant / Associate)
Students
Student Judicial Affairs
Central documentation warehouse

5. When is this policy used?
This policy addresses willful acts of cheating, dishonesty, and plagiarism and establishes common procedures to be followed when such acts occur.
(Sinclair AIP 2011)

6. Where… is this policy applicable?
“…all courses taught by Sinclair Community College faculty.”
(Sinclair AIP 2011)

7. Where… can I find this policy?
Link out an walk through the process

8. Where… can I report a violation?
Link out and walk through

9. What… is in the policy? Definitions Guiding Principles
Individual vs Group Work
Procedures (How)
Statement of Understanding
Penalties
Appeals (How)

10. What… definitions are in the policy?
Cheating
Seven IBNT’s
Dishonesty
Five IBNT’s
Plagiarism

11. What… are the guiding principles outlined in this policy?
“Cheating/dishonesty/plagiarism in any academic environment is a serious and delicate issue.”
The instructor must determine willful intent.
When in doubt, seek help.

12. What… does the policy say about group work?
You make the call, but…
Remember Broidy’s Law
be very clear.

13. Intent and Cultural Differences
Students can be confused on what constitutes common knowledge
First-year college classroom can be a new culture to students
The “rules” of authorship in your discipline need to be explicitly explained -from Washington State Univ. Libraries
“Different cultures have various customs about how to use texts, how borrowing should happen, and where names should be placed. The "I" writing this text is unnamed because the group producing this web site agreed to work and share collaboratively. In some traditional cultures in Asia and the Middle East, for example, college students are expected to quote or paraphrase the best known political or religious authorities without attribution because readers, especially professors, are expected to know what texts are being circulated. Indeed, it might be a serious insult to the teacher if the student writer formally cites the text being borrowed. The student writer in one of these traditional cultural settings must understand what she or he can reasonably expect readers ­ professors ­ to know as a source text being quoted or paraphrased without being cited. If the student misjudges what is common knowledge, either by citing what is common knowledge or by not citing what is not common knowledge, the student writer gets into real trouble. Gaining enough intellectual maturity and experience to know what is common knowledge in a traditional culture is a complex and demanding task.” Wash State Univ Libraries

14. Assignment Design
“Students are most likely to cheat when they think their assignments are pointless, and least likely to cheat when they admire and respect their teachers and are excited about what they are learning.” -Sally Cole and Elizabeth Kiss (2000) “What Can We Do About Student Cheating”

15. Strategies to Discourage Plagiarism
Closely tie assignments with class discussions and outcomes
Favor depth of discussion over breadth
Require drafts for high-stakes assignments
Require citations be submitted ahead of final due date
Require that correct citation be used

16. What… is a Statement of Understanding?
A cover page for the documentation related to the incident.

18. What… are the possible penalties?
First violation: The student will receive a grade deemed appropriate by the assigning faculty member as outlined in the course statement.
Second violation: Any student who violates the policy twice in the same term will receive an F for the course.
Repeat violators will receive additional sanctions from the college following the procedures set forth in the Code.

19. How the policy flows. Instructor investigates the matter
Alleged violation
Instructor investigates the matter
(meeting with student)
If willful intent is determined, notify Student and Supervisor
Student meets with Supervisor / Faculty
Review S.o.U.
Determination made by Supervisor
Inform student of outcome
Potential for appeal
IF final determination is a policy violation, supervisor forwards case to SJA for record keeping

20. How the appeal process works.
Policy violation
Appeal filed
(3 reasons)
Appeal reviewed by next level supervisor
Stands
Reduced
Overturned

21. The Outsider’s Two Cents
Document, document, document.
Follow the policy.
* “In all instances, departments may develop and enforce academic integrity policies that are more stringent than, but not in conflict with, this policy.” (AIP 2011)
Review the policy with all stakeholders.
Keep the student informed and involved.

22. Resources For You Policy: Reporting Form:
Reporting Form:

23. Questions

24. Sources