Upholding Academic Integrity
Guidelines for CS Faculty
This document discusses how to deal with Academic
Integrity (AI) in your course. The Department maintains an AI webpage.[1]
In what follows, the “Hearing Board” refers to the College of Engineering’s Academic
Integrity Hearing Board and “The
Code” refers to the University’s Code
of Academic Integrity. [2]
Replace the word “student” with “team” if the infraction involves a group
submission.
Develop a clear set of rules for what constitutes
your course's AI policy. Course websites and assignment handouts should have
appropriate AI links/reminders. Announce in class that you have prosecuted AI
cases in the past and that if anyone is unclear about the rules, they MUST talk
to you BEFORE submitting an assignment.
Make sure your TAs and graders understand the issues and protocols exactly.
If a course staffer suspects a violation, then
they must report the matter to YOU.
Although it is not required, you are encouraged to contact the student and schedule a meeting to have a
“quiet chat” about your concerns. Email can be used for this communication. [3]
If the student confesses and/or you want to prosecute, then you must stop the
meeting and proceed to the formal “Primary Hearing” stage at a later date. It is tempting to skip the Primary Hearing
and go right to the penalty phase if there is a confession, but this is
illegal. If it is a borderline
infraction and you decide not to prosecute, then turn the session into a
wake-up call using strong unambiguous language to enlighten the student about
what can happen when The Code is violated.
Have your administrative assistant contact the
Chair Office. He/she will obtain the template of a letter that must completed
and sent to the accused. To produce
this letter all that you need to do is specify the charge and offer a selection
of possible times for the Primary Hearing. Thirty minutes for the hearing is
usually enough. If it is a team infraction, all members of the group must come
in together. At least one week’s notice is required, but it can be less by
mutual consent. The letter advises the student of The Code and of the right to
have a Judicial Codes Counselor, his/her faculty advisor, and supporting witnesses
at the hearing. The student will also be informed about how to get a copy of
the offending assignment. You must not discuss the case with the student once
they receive the letter. Remind them that this process protects them from being
arbitrarily penalized with no witness present. Also, if you feel the infraction
deserves more than just an F in the course, then you can turn the whole matter
over to the Hearing Board.
1. Ensure
that the independent witness is present and ask the student if they have a
judicial codes counselor, an advisor, and/or additional witnesses coming. Call
the hearing to order and explain the function of the independent witness. Explain the hearing process, the outcome options,
the penalty process/criteria, and appeal options.
2. Show
the material that generated the suspect violation. Do not show the names of other students who might have been
involved, since you might discover inconsistent stories.
3. Ask
if the student has something to say in defense of the charge.
4. Ask
further questions if necessary. Take notes if a story is involved. Keep the hearing focused on the charge and
events surrounding it. Stay calm if the student is emotional.
5. Ask
if the student has anything else to say before ending the hearing. Announce
that the hearing is over. Explain that you will be deciding on guilt or
innocence, and a penalty if necessary, and that the student will be notified of
the results by mail. Remind the student that it is possible to appeal the
verdict before the Hearing Board.
If you find the
student innocent then all you need to do is write a note to the student
indicating just that the charges are dismissed.
If you reach a guilty verdict then you must write
a (hard copy) letter to the record keeper of
Hearing Board with a copy to the
student. The letter should summarize the infraction, state the verdict, and
specify the penalty. This way it is possible for the university to identify
repeat offenders and to (possibly) expel a student after a second offense. Penalties[4]
that are customarily applied include
[1] http://www.cs.cornell.edu/ugrad/AcadInteg.html
[2] http://www.cornell.edu/Academic/AIC.html
[3] Note that if the case involves more than one party, say Student A and student B, then you must proceed separately with each individual. Do not mention B’s name to A or A’s name to B. Usually, they will communicate between themselves and decide to come in together, but they must take that step.
[4] There is considerable variation among the faculty about what is an appropriate penalty. The Chair office is able to discuss this matter if you need guidance.