All alleged violations should be reported by faculty members to the appropriate Academic Dean. Centralization of authority, responsibility and record-keeping is essential for fair and impartial administration of the Student Conduct Code. Students should report cases to the instructor or to that Academic Dean. That Academic Dean shall inform the instructor of alleged violations that have been reported by students.
Where cheating is discovered or suspected, the instructor should inform the student(s) involved and undertake an investigation of the matter. If the instructor is then convinced that a violation did occur, the following procedure should be used:
If the student admits a violation, the instructor may assign a grade of “0” or “F” to the examination or assignment on which cheating, plagiarism or other academic dishonesty occurred. If the student admits a violation of this Code not involving dishonesty (e.g. talking during an exam, but not sharing answers), the faculty member may assign an appropriate grade penalty. In either case, the name of the student and a brief description of the incident should be reported to the appropriate Academic Dean for determination of the appropriate disciplinary penalty. Reporting is essential to assure that repeat offenders are penalized accordingly.
If the student does not admit a violation, the instructor should refer the case to the appropriate Academic Dean, who will attempt to resolve the matter informally and, if necessary, arrange for adjudication by a faculty-student committee.
Any contested accusation of cheating, plagiarism or other academic misconduct in an examination or assignment submitted by a student to satisfy course requirements will be adjudicated by a faculty-student committee appointed by the appropriate Academic Dean in consultation with the President/Rector of Holy Apostles College and Seminary. In this case, the instructor should withhold the student’s grade until after adjudication.
If, after adjudication, the student is found in violation, the grade should be assigned in accordance with paragraph 7 under “Responsibility of Faculty,” supra.
If there is no violation, the instructor shall assign a grade based on the quality of the work completed. A student who is dissatisfied with the decision in his or her hearing may appeal the decision.
Grades are an evaluation of academic performance, and their assignment is a responsibility resting solely with the faculty consistent with the authority granted to the Academic Faculty by the Regents. The assignment of “0” or “F” to work or tests in which academic dishonesty or other academic misconduct has occurred is based on the premise that the examination or assignment cannot be regarded as the student’s own work and thus is invalidated and/or the student’s violation is unfair and/or disruptive and thus harmful to the instructor and others in the class. The instructor shall not apply a more severe grade adjustment than recording a “0” or “F” on the specific assignment or test on which misconduct occurred. Where an instructor has referred a case for adjudication but has not received a report confirming a violation at the time that the course grades are due, submit a grade of “I” for the student on the grade report form.
Specific procedures to be followed in the adjudication of cases of academic misconduct have been established by Holy Apostles College and Seminary. Procedural fairness is basic to the proper enforcement of Holy Apostles College and Seminary’s policies and campus regulations. Procedures must ensure fairness not only for students accused of academic dishonesty but also for victims of dishonest acts, e.g., other students. The confidence of students and instructors in the procedures must be maintained.