Current through all regulations passed and filed through December 16, 2024
(A) Purpose. Students enrolled in the
university, at all its campuses, are to perform their academic work according
to standards set by faculty members, departments, schools and colleges of the
university; and cheating and plagiarism constitute fraudulent misrepresentation
for which no credit can be given and for which appropriate sanctions are
warranted and will be applied.
(B)
Definitions. As used in this rule:
(1)
"Cheat" means intentionally to misrepresent the source, nature, or other
conditions of academic work so as to accrue undeserved credit, or to cooperate
with someone else in such misrepresentation. Such misrepresentations may, but
need not necessarily, involve the work of others. As defined, cheating
includes, but is not limited to:
(a) Obtaining
or retaining partial or whole copies of examination, tests or quizzes before
these are distributed for student use;
(b) Using notes, textbooks or other
information, or content generated by internet-based
generative artificial intelligence programs (HAI), in examinations, tests
and quizzes, except as expressly permitted by the
instructor in the syllabus, examination, test, or quiz;
(c) Obtaining confidential information about
examinations, tests or quizzes other than that released by the
instructor;
(d) Securing, giving or
exchanging information during examinations;
(e)
Using GAI to
generate content in satisfaction of assigned coursework, except as expressly
permitted by the instructor in the syllabus, or applicable
assignment;
(f) Presenting data or
other material gathered by another person or group, or
by GAI, as one's own;
(g) Falsifying
experimental data or information;
(h) Having another
person, or GAI, take one's place for any academic
performance without the specific knowledge and permission of the
instructor;
(i) Cooperating with
another to do one or more of the listed examples of cheating;
(j) Using a substantial
portion of a piece of work previously submitted for another course or program
to meet the requirements of the present course or program without notifying the
instructor to whom the work is presented; and
(k) Presenting
falsified information in order to postpone or avoid examinations, tests,
quizzes, or other academic work.
(2) "Plagiarize" means to take and present as
one's own a material portion of the ideas or words of another
(e.g., person, persons, or GAI) or to present as
one's own an idea or work derived from an existing source without full and
proper credit to the source of the ideas, words, or works. As defined,
plagiarize includes, but is not limited to:
(a) The copying of words, sentences and
paragraphs directly from the work of another without proper credit;
(b) The copying of illustrations, figures,
photographs, drawings, models, or other visual and nonverbal materials,
including recordings, of another without proper credit; and
(c) The presentation of work prepared by
another in final or draft form as one's own without citing the source, such as
the use of purchased research papers.
(3) "Student" means any person admitted or
enrolled at the university in any of its courses, programs, campuses or
offerings, including, but not limited to, cooperative programs or offerings
with other institutions for whom a record is made at the university by the
registrar or which is submitted to the university for admission or transfer
credit.
(4) "Cooperation" means
participation or assistance for the mutual benefit of both parties or the sole
benefit of one party.
(5) "Academic
sanction" means any of the various sanctions specifically listed in this rule
under paragraph (D) of this rule.
(6) "Instructor" means any person employed or
appointed to teach in any course or program offering of the university, or a
committee appointed to assess, evaluate, or grade a thesis, dissertation or
work. Any decision by such a committee shall be by majority vote.
(7) "Chairperson" means the chief
administrative officer of a department, school, or program whose position is
that of a first organizational level academic leader with a teaching
faculty.
(8) "Dean" means the chief
administrative officer of a regional campus, college or independent school or
equivalent.
(9) "Department" means
an academic unit headed by a chairperson or director.
(10) "College" means an academic unit headed
by a dean and includes any independent school headed by a dean.
(11) "Independent College" means a college
without subordinate departments or schools.
(12) "Regional campus" means any of the Kent
state university system of community-oriented institutions.
(13) "Cheating/Plagiarism Sanction Form"
means the form instructors fill out and distribute each time they impose a
sanction on a student for cheating or plagiarism.
(14) "Plagiarism School Form" is the form
signed by an instructor and student agreeing to a remedial, private session for
a student sanctioned for plagiarism in return for a mitigation of the
sanction.
(15)
"Generative artificial intelligence program (GAI)"
means any internet-based generative artificial intelligence programs that make
use of large language model algorithms to make something new. AI used for
auto-complete, minor text-predictions, and/or grammar/spelling/punctuation
suggestions, commonly found in most word-processing applications, is not
considered GAI.
(C) Intent and scope of the policy.
(1) In providing this policy, the university
affirms that acts of cheating and plagiarism by students constitute a
subversion of the goals of the institution, have no place in the university and
are serious offenses to academic goals and objectives, as well as to the rights
of fellow students.
(2) It is the
intent of this policy to provide appropriate sanctions, to provide fair and
realistic procedures for imposing those sanctions, to provide safeguards for
any student suspected of cheating or plagiarism.
(3) This policy applies to all students of
the university, graduate and undergraduate, full or part-time, whose conduct is
of such a nature prohibited by the policy. Other offenses of a nonacademic
nature are covered by the code of student conduct, rule
3342-4-02 of the Administrative
Code and of this register.
(4)
Ordinarily, students sanctioned under this policy may not seek to remove such
sanction by invoking their rights under other university policies (such as the
administrative policies addressing student complaints found in rule
3342-4-02.3 or
3342-8-01.4 of this
Administrative Code) but may appeal a finding of responsibility and/or the
sanction according to paragraph (F) of this rule.
(D) Sanctions.
(1) Academic sanctions. The following
academic sanctions are provided by this rule for offenses of cheating or
plagiarism. Instructors are to use the cheating/plagiarism sanction form to
indicate which one of the following sanctions is to be imposed on the student.
Instructors must send that form to the office of student conduct. For Kent
campus instructors the form will be sent by the office of student conduct to
the student, the instructor's department chairperson or dean, and the dean for
the college in which the student is enrolled. For regional campus instructors
the form will be sent by the office of student conduct to the student, and to
the regional campus dean.
(a) Coursework. The
following academic sanctions are provided by this rule for offenses of cheating
or plagiarism. In those cases the instructor may:
(i) Refuse to accept the work for credit;
or
(ii) Assign a grade of "F" or
zero for the project, test, paper, examination or other work in which the
cheating or plagiarism took place; or
(iii) Assign a grade of "F" for the course in
which the cheating or plagiarism took place; and/or;
(iv) Recommend to the department chair or
regional campus dean that further action specified in paragraph (D)(1)(b) of
this rule be taken. The department chairperson or regional campus dean shall
determine whether or not to forward to the academic dean or to the vice
president for the regional campuses a recommendation for further
sanctions under paragraph (D)(1)(b) of this rule.
(v) For students who have not previously been
sanctioned for plagiarism, if the instructor and student agree, Plagiarism
School could be provided as a means to mitigate the sanction (as described in
paragraphs (B)(14) and (G) of this rule.)
(b) Degree. The following academic sanctions
are provided for acts of cheating or plagiarism which so permeate the student's
work that the effect is to compromise the validity of a degree. Such
occurrences may be related, but not limited to, professional or graduate work.
Sanctions which can be invoked by the dean of the college in which the student
is enrolled or by the vice
president for the regional campuses include those provided in paragraph
(D)(1) of this rule; and/or
(i) Revocation or
recommendation to decertify or not to certify; or
(ii) Rejection of the thesis, dissertation or
work; or
(iii) Recommendation for
revocation of a degree.
(2) Other sanctions. If the instructor feels,
or the department chair or director, or dean where appropriate, that the
offense is of such nature that the academic sanctions are an insufficient
remedy, or that they are not available, he or she may initiate additional
procedures by referring the matter in its entirety to the academic hearing
panel defined in paragraph (I) of this rule, which can consider additional
disciplinary sanctions. After the office of student conduct receives
notification of a sanction via the cheating/plagiarism sanction form (see
paragraph (D)(1) of this rule), the academic hearing panel will conduct a
hearing to determine if the academic sanction applied by the instructor as well
as additional disciplinary sanctions it deems appropriate will be assessed
against the student. The following sanctions can only be imposed by the
academic hearing panel following a hearing as set forth in paragraph (H) of
this rule.
(a) Disciplinary probation. This
sanction is one that places the student in serious jeopardy with the
university. This sanction is invoked for a specified period of time.
Notification of sanctions will be made to appropriate university offices,
including the student's academic college or school. Students on disciplinary
probation: might be subject to automatic dismissal or suspension if found
responsible of any act of misconduct, including violation of the terms of the
disciplinary probation.
(i) Might not be
permitted to participate in an official non-curricular capacity such as
intercollegiate athletics, intramurals, fine arts activities, or as an officer
of a student organization, etc.
(ii) Might be restricted from entering or
remaining in selected campus buildings or in specified university
facilities.
(b)
Disciplinary suspension. This sanction is one of involuntary separation of the
student from the university for a specified period of time. Notification of
sanctions will be made to appropriate university offices, including the
student's academic college or school. Students suspended:
(i) If a sanction grade was assigned, it
should remain on the transcript.
(ii) Might be required to leave the land
and/or premises of the university effective the date of suspension. Permission
may be granted by the vice president for enrollment management and student
affairs for entrance to university premises for a specified purpose and
time.
(c) Disciplinary
dismissal. This sanction is one of involuntary separation of the student from
the university. Notification of sanctions will be made to appropriate
university offices, including the student's academic college or school.
Students dismissed:
(i) If a sanction grade
was assigned, it should remain on the transcript.
(ii) Might be required to leave the land
and/or premises of the university effective the date of dismissal. Permission
may be granted by the vice president for enrollment management and student
affairs for entrance of the student to university premises for a specified
purpose and time.
(iii) Shall be
reinstated only by the provost, who shall establish criteria for
readmission.
(d)
Additional sanctions. Additional sanctions are the prerogative of the AHP. They
may be mandated as part of the sanctions listed above. Some options that may be
considered are as follows:
(iii)
Educative/rehabilitative program referral;
(iv) Monetary penalty (not to exceed two
hundred dollars);
(vii) Persona non grata status;
(viii) Campus access restrictions;
and/or
(ix) Other as deemed
appropriate through the disciplinary process
(E) Procedures for invoking
sanctions.
(1) Academic administrative
procedures pertaining to paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule. In the event that an
instructor determines that it is more probable than not that a student in a
course or program under the instructor's supervision has presented work for
university credit which involves an act of cheating, plagiarism or cooperation
in either, then the instructor shall:
(a)
Inform the student as soon as is practical of the belief that an act of
cheating or plagiarism has occurred. If the student cannot be reached in a
reasonable period of time, the instructor may proceed with sanctions, notifying
the student in writing as promptly as possible of the belief and the procedural
steps the instructor has taken.
(b)
Provide the student an opportunity to explain orally, in writing, or both, why
the student believes the evaluation of the facts is erroneous.
(c) If the explanation is deemed by the
instructor to be inadequate or if no explanation is offered, the instructor may
impose one of the academic sanctions listed in paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this
rule. In addition, the instructor may refer the matter to the dean of the
college, campus, or school in which the student is enrolled for imposition of
academic sanctions listed in paragraph (D)(1)(b) of this rule.
(d) The instructor shall provide a copy of
the cheating/plagiarism sanction form to the office of student conduct. That
office will provide copies of the form to the student, the instructor's
departmental chairperson, or, for independent colleges and regional campuses,
the dean of the college or campus in which the instructor is assigned, the dean
of the college or campus in which the student is enrolled, and the office of
student conduct, listing the specific sanction assessed (as defined in
paragraph (D)(1)(a) of this rule) and whether or not the instructor is
recommending the imposition of academic sanctions listed in paragraph (D)(1)(b)
of this rule to the appropriate dean (the dean of the college or campus in
which the student is enrolled). The form also serves to inform the student of
the right to appeal.
(e) The
instructor shall keep the evidence of cheating or plagiarism in a secure place
and provide it upon request to the department chair, independent college or
campus dean, or the academic hearing panel. The instructor shall provide copies
on request to the student at the student's expense.
(f) The instructor shall cooperate with
academic and student conduct personnel in any appeal of the decision, and/or in
adjudication of any disciplinary proceedings.
(2) Academic administrative procedures
pertaining to paragraph (D)(1)(b) of this rule.
(a) With concurrence from the faculty member
and the department chairperson, the academic dean or the
vice president of the
regional campuses may invoke sanctions specified in
paragraph (D)(1)(b) of this rule.
(b) The recommendation for sanction,
paragraph (D)(1)(b)(iii) of this rule, is made by the academic dean or the
vice president for the
regional campuses who forwards it to the provost, who
must approve it and forward it to the president, who must approve it and
forward it to the board of trustees for approval.
(3) Procedures pertaining to paragraph (D)(2)
of this rule (non-academic, disciplinary sanctions).
(a) After receiving notification from the
instructor that a sanction has been imposed and/or recommended in paragraph
(E)(1)(d) of this rule, the office of student conduct will check to see if a
sanction invoked by this code was previously imposed on the student. If it is
determined that the student was previously sanctioned and was not successful in
removing the sanction through the appeal process defined in paragraph (F) of
this rule, the matter in its entirety will be referred to the academic hearing
panel (AHP) (defined in paragraph (H) of this rule).
(b) The AHP will follow the process
established in paragraph (F) of this rule to determine if the academic
sanctions imposed by the instructor and/or dean are upheld and/or if
disciplinary sanctions should also be applied.
(F) Academic appeals. All appeals for
sanctions imposed as a result of this policy will be adjudicated by the
academic hearing panel.
An appeal of a sanction imposed by an instructor or a dean must
be filed with the office of student conduct by the student within fifteen
working days of receipt of the cheating/plagiarism sanction form.
(1) Hearing.
(a) The burden of establishing by a
preponderance of the evidence that cheating or plagiarism occurred is on the
person who claims the act took place.
(b) The instructor shall provide documents,
if any, in support of the decision and shall make a statement, orally, in
writing, or both, of the facts and the basis for the decision.
(c) The student may make a statement in
writing, orally, or both.
(d) Both
the instructor and student may ask questions of the other at an appropriate
time during the hearing.
(e) Both
may present witnesses.
(f) Both
have the right to hear all testimony and examine all evidence.
(g) At the hearing, the student may be
accompanied by one other person of his or her choice. That person may act as an
advisor to the student, but may not participate in the hearing procedure in any
manner whatsoever. No party may be represented by legal counsel.
(G) Plagiarism school.
As a means to address less severe cases of student plagiarism (acts that may be
considered by the instructor to be unintentional), the instructor may request
that the student attend a remedial, private session administered by university
libraries regarding acceptable ways to document research.
(1) Plagiarism school will only be offered to
students not previously sanctioned for plagiarism.
(2) Plagiarism school will only be offered if
both the instructor, and student and representative from university libraries
(the plagiarism school instructor) agree by signing the "Plagiarism School
Form." The instructor will indicate on the form how the sanction will be
modified in favor of the student if the student completes all activities
identified on the form.
(3) A
student's successful completion of plagiarism school does not in any way change
the process of reporting acts of cheating and plagiarism according to this
policy.
(4) Upon successful
completion of plagiarism school, university libraries will notify the
instructor so that he/she can mitigate the sanction as indicated in the
form.
(H) The academic
hearing panel (AHP) is a special hearing panel established to decide cases
resulting from either a referral for disciplinary sanctions from instructors,
chairs, directors, or deans (paragraph (D)(2) of this rule), when an appeal of
a sanction imposed by an instructor or a dean, or when a determination has been
made that a student has previously been sanctioned for an act of academic
dishonesty pursuant to this policy.
(1)
Composition. The panel shall be appointed by the provost: a minimum of ten KSU
faculty, five having graduate faculty status (staggered, serving terms of two
years), a minimum of five current KSU graduate students (serving a one-year
term), and a minimum of five current KSU undergraduate students (serving a
one-year term). The provost will appoint one faculty member as chair at the
beginning of each fiscal year.
(2)
Charge. For the purpose of holding a hearing, the chair will select a hearing
committee of three AHP members (two faculty and one student). The committee
selections should be based on graduate/undergraduate status (graduate faculty
and student for cases involving an accused graduate student, undergraduate
faculty and student for cases involving an accused undergraduate student) and
be consistent with eligibility standards set in paragraph (H)(4) of this rule.
The AHP will conduct hearings based on allegations of academic misconduct and
determine if the accused student is in violation of this policy. Once the AHP
has determined that a violation has been committed, the student will be
assessed an academic sanction (as defined in paragraph (D)(1) of this rule or
as defined in paragraph (D)(2) of this rule or a combination of both.) The
severity of the offense and the student's overall behavior regarding academic
honesty will determine the sanction(s) assessed against the student.
(3) Training. Annual training will be offered
in a joint effort by persons appointed by the provost and the vice president
for enrollment management and student affairs, and convened by office of
student conduct.
(4) Eligibility.
Faculty who are current instructors of the accused student, faculty of the
instructor's department, and any student appointed to the AHP who shares a
class, residence, or known affiliation with the accused student are not
eligible to sit on the AHP hearing committee for that respective accused
student.
(5) Records. All AHP
hearings are closed to the public and are recorded, minimally audio, using
current technological equipment available (i.e. DVD). All technological
recordings shall be destroyed in accordance with university recordkeeping
protocol.
(6) All matters
pertaining to the conduct of the appeal hearing shall be under the sole
authority of the academic hearing panel.
(I) Appeals.
(1) Students, faculty, and deans may appeal
the decisions of the hearing board or officers to the provost. No additional
appeal will be heard.
(2) Appeals
are limited to the following reasons:
(a) The
decision is not in accordance with the evidence presented;
(b) The decision was reached through a
procedure not in accordance with this rule;
(c) New information is available which may
suggest modification of the decision;
(d) Sanction(s) imposed were not appropriate
for the conduct violation which the student was found responsible
for;
(3) An appeal must
be in writing, must state clearly the rationale for the appeal and must be
submitted within seven calendar days of the date of the decision.
(J) This policy will be effective
beginning with the fall 2012 catalog year