Student Academic Dishonesty

1. Policy Statement

   Georgia College acknowledges the need to preserve an orderly process with regard to teaching, research, and public service, as well as the need to preserve and monitor students’ academic rights and responsibilities. Since the primary goal of education is to increase one’s own knowledge, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated at Georgia College. Possible consequences of academic dishonesty, depending on the seriousness of the offense, may range from a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or a zero for grade work, removal from the course with a grade of F, to suspension or exclusion from the University.

   Academic dishonesty includes the following examples, as well as similar conduct aimed at making false representation with respect to academic performance:

   1. Cheating on an examination;
   2. Collaborating with others in work to be presented, contrary to the stated rules of the course;
   3. Plagiarism. For the purposes of this document, plagiarism is considered the act of representing ideas, writings, artistic designs, or any other creative endeavors that were created by someone or something else as one’s own. This includes, but is not limited to, materials created by artificial intelligence. When direct quotations are used, they must be indicated; and when the ideas of another are incorporated in any submission, they must be acknowledged, according to a style of documentation appropriate to the discipline.
   4. Stealing examination or course materials;
   5. Falsifying records, laboratory results, or other data;
   6. Submitting, if contrary to the rules of a course, work previously presented in another course;
   7. Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above, including assistance in an arrangement whereby any work, classroom performance, examination, or other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose name the work is submitted or performed.
   8. Students accused of academic dishonesty may appeal through the student academic dishonesty procedures in effect at Georgia College.
2. Procedures for Academic Misconduct Appeal
   1. Informal conference

      A student accused of academic dishonesty shall first participate in an informal conference with the instructor. If an informal conference, designed to explore academic dishonesty with the instructor and the student, does not end in satisfactory resolution, the following procedures for an academic misconduct appeal will apply. Options at the conclusion of an informal conference may include the following: a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course, and/or referral to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students in accordance with paragraph II (F).

   2. Formal conference

      If the student is dissatisfied with the results of the informal conference, the student must state in writing to the instructor his/her dissatisfaction within ten class days following the informal conference. The instructor shall schedule a formal conference within ten class days of the informal conference or receipt of the student’s written complaint. The Vice President/Dean of Faculties may extend the ten class-day period in unusual circumstances. The purpose of the formal conference shall be to review the evidence against the student, to review the evidence and argument presented by the student in his/her defense, and to review the appropriateness of the penalty which may be imposed by the instructor. The instructor and the student may both be accompanied at the formal conference by a student, faculty member or staff member of their choice.

   3. Notice

      At least five class days in advance of the formal conference, the instructor shall inform the student in writing of the alleged offense and of the facts or conduct on which the allegation is based. The student shall be informed of the date, time, and place of the formal conference. This notice shall be served on the student in person or by certified return-receipt requested mail and shall be accompanied by a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Policy and Procedures.

   4. Academic penalties imposed by the instructor

      The instructor may give the student a revision of assignment, an oral reprimand, a written reprimand, an F or 0 for the graded work or an F for the course. An academic penalty may or may not be imposed where the student’s own academic performance was not affected, such as in the following instances: (1) the student assisted another student to engage in academic dishonesty, (2) the student stole a copy of an examination, and the theft was discovered before the exam so that the student did not take the exam. In such cases, if the student is enrolled in the course, the instructor may impose the penalties permitted by this section, or if the student is not enrolled in the course, the instructor may refer the matter to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.

   5. Instructor's decision

      If after the formal conference, the instructor believes that the student has not violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy, he/she shall so inform the student in writing within five class days. If the instructor believes that the student has violated the Academic Dishonesty Policy he/she shall inform the student of his/her decision in writing with a copy to his/her supervisor. Such decisions shall be served in person or by mail and shall include: (1) a full explanation of the facts on which the instructor’s conclusions were based; (2) specifications of the penalty or penalties imposed; (3) further action in the case, if any, which the instructor has recommended; and (4) notice that the decision may be appealed to the instructor’s supervisor.

   6. Referral to Vice President/Dean of Students

      If the instructor believes that the student should be considered for non-academic disciplinary sanctions, including but not limited to suspension or expulsion of the student from the College or University, the instructor may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures. In such event, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students shall receive and maintain copies of all correspondence and final decisions on academic misconduct. If the instructor concludes that the conduct in question may constitute a violation of the Honor Code or the Student Code of Conduct, but (1) does not constitute academic dishonesty as defined in this policy, or (2) does constitute academic dishonesty but cannot be sufficiently addressed by an academic sanction under this policy, then the instructor shall request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures; in this event, the instructor shall forward in the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students all documentation and correspondence regarding the accusation.

   7. Appeal from the instructor's decision

      The instructor’s decision to impose an academic sanction may be appealed to the instructor’s appropriate supervisor, either as to the issue of whether the student did engage in conduct as alleged or as to the penalty or penalties. Appeals shall be in writing and must be filed with the office or person designated within 10 class days of the instructor’s decision. While such appeal is pending, the penalty or penalties shall be stayed and no grade assigned for the course. If the student does not file an appeal within ten class days of the instructor’s decision, the instructor’s decision shall become final. If the instructor’s decision is affirmed in whole or in part, the supervisor (if the instructor has not done so) may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures.

   8. Appeal from the supervisor's decision

      The supervisor’s decision may be appealed within 10 class days by either party to the appropriate Dean of the College who may refer it to an appropriate academic misconduct hearing committee for review and recommendation. The committee shall act within the bylaws of the school or college in which the alleged violation occurred. The committee must include student representation.

      1. Jurisdiction. The committee shall hear appeals of the supervisor’s decision.

      2. Penalty. The penalty recommended to the Dean of the College by the appropriate committee may exceed the penalty imposed by the instructor. Further, the committee may modify the academic penalty imposed by the instructor. If the instructor’s decision is affirmed in whole or in part, the Dean (if neither the instructor nor the supervisor has done so) may request that the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students proceed in accordance with the University’s non-academic disciplinary procedures. If the committee finds that no violation of the Academic Dishonesty Policy occurred, and if the Dean concurs, the instructor shall eliminate any academic penalty which was based on the alleged academic misconduct.

   9. Appeal from the Dean of the College the Dean’s decision may be appealed by either party to the Vice President/Dean of Faculties within 10 class days of the decision of the Dean.

   10. Appeal from the Vice President/Dean of Faculties

   11. The Vice President/Dean of Faculties’ decision may be appealed by either party to the President of Georgia College within ten class days of the decision of the Vice President/Dean of Faculties. The President’s decision on Academic Dishonesty shall be the final decision on the Georgia College campus.
3. Notice to Students

   Georgia College shall publish the Academic Dishonesty Policy in the current Catalog and/or Student Handbook.