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Student Academic Dishonesty - Procedure 000609

These procedures apply from the beginning of Semester 2 / Trimester 1, 2004

These procedures should be read in conjunction with the Policy on Student Academic Integrity and the Student Discipline Rules.

Definition

Academic Dishonesty has two major categories:

Academic Fraud is making a false representation to gain an unjust advantage.

Plagiarism is the presentation of the thoughts or works of another as one’s own.

Provision of Information to Students

Within the framework of the Code of Ethical Academic Conduct, students will be informed of the common conventions in relation to expectations of academic integrity, as well as the specific requirements of the Faculty, School, Discipline or other teaching areas.

Students are to be made aware, through enrolment information and on assessment item cover-sheets, that their work is liable to be checked for academic dishonesty by manual or electronic means. All Course Coordinators are to provide students with access to electronic detection devices employed by the University to enable students to ensure their own work is properly referenced. This is not required where the format of all the work in the course is not capable of being assessed by such devices.

Students should also be encouraged to use any such electronic detection devices employed by the University to ensure their work is properly referenced.

Processes to be followed when a case of Academic Dishonesty is suspected

At the lecturer/tutor/assessment supervisor/marker level

If a staff member responsible for assessing or overseeing the assessment of a student suspects a case of academic dishonesty in any assessment item or is alerted to such a case they shall approach the Course Coordinator with the relevant material and/or observations.

At Course Coordinator level:
  1. The Course Coordinator shall investigate whether a case of academic dishonesty may be upheld within the framework of the Policy on Student Academic Integrity.
  2. The Course Coordinator may make use of any plagiarism detection software or other dishonesty detection mechanisms made available by the University to assist in determining whether a case exists.
  3. The Course Coordinator shall investigate whether the case requires remedial action or referral to the Student Academic Conduct Officer.
  4. The Course Coordinator may consult with the Student Academic Conduct Officer in the investigation of any suspected academic dishonesty.
  5. If the case is regarded as requiring only a remedial action the Course Coordinator shall inform the student and either carry out the actions required or ensure that they are carried out.
  6. If the case is regarded as requiring further investigation the matter will be forwarded to the Student Academic Conduct Officer.
  7. Course Coordinators shall, in all cases, discuss the matter with the student or students involved and any referring staff member.
  8. A student may request that the case be referred to the Student Academic Conduct Officer.
At Student Academic Conduct Officer level:
  1. The Student Academic Conduct Officer shall investigate all referred cases by:
    1. advising the student in writing of the referral, inviting the student to make representations and advising the student of the support mechanisms available;
    2. examining the material in the light of the Policy on Student Academic Integrity;
    3. using any plagiarism detection software or other dishonesty detection mechanisms made available by the University;
    4. considering any evidence or representations from the student or students involved as well as the Course Coordinator or any other member of staff deemed necessary to make a determination.
  2. The Student Academic Conduct Officer may:
    1. dismiss the case; or
    2. initiate remedial action; or
    3. deal with the case by imposing a penalty available under the Policy on Student Academic Integrity; or
    4. refer the case to the Head of School for forwarding, via the Pro Vice-Chancellor, to the Vice-Chancellor for consideration under the Student Discipline Rules.
  3. In determining any penalty or further referral, the Student Academic Conduct Officer shall:
    1. check the Student Academic Misconduct Register for the student’s record; and
    2. use the Criteria for Determining Penalties.
  4. If a penalty is imposed, the Student Academic Conduct Officer shall record the student’s name, the nature of the offence and the penalty imposed on the Student Academic Misconduct Register. The Student Academic Conduct Officer shall inform the student that this entry has been made on the Register.

Appeals

A penalty of the Student Academic Conduct Officer may be appealed in writing, by the student, to the Pro Vice-Chancellor within 14 days.

The decision of the Pro Vice-Chancellor on the appeal is final. 1

Referral to the Vice-Chancellor

A case may be referred to the Vice-Chancellor under the University’s Student Discipline Rules. These Rules are available at: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policylibrary/000341.html

The Vice-Chancellor, or, when a case is referred by the Vice-Chancellor to a Discipline Committee, the Discipline Committee, shall determine if a case is to be upheld. If the case is upheld, they shall

  1. Fulfill the requirements of the Student Discipline Rules including imposing any penalty;
  2. record the student’s name, the nature of the offence and any penalty imposed on the Student Academic Misconduct Register

Students may appeal the decision of the Vice-Chancellor or the Discipline Committee using the appeal procedures outlined in the Student Discipline Rules.

Actions and Penalties

Actions to be taken or penalties which may be imposed for academic dishonesty are set out in the University’s Policy on Student Academic Integrity and the Student Discipline Rules.

Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act

The University is bound by the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW).

Attachments

Related Documents

Notes:
  1. In the case of a matter where the Pro Vice-Chancellor has already been consulted, the Deputy Executive Dean will consider the appeal.
Approval Authority: Council
Date Approved: Friday, 2nd July 2004 Date For Review:
Policy Contact Position:
Amendment History: