Academic Integrity and Judicial Affairs Resources at Iowa State University

Michelle L. Boettcher Assistant Dean of Students and

Director of Judicial AffairsFall, 2009

OVERVIEW

WHAT OJA DOES TYPES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT MOTIVATIONS FOR MISCONDUCT REPORTING MISCONDUCT Additional Support OJA can Provide

ISU Judicial Affairs Philosophy

Basic Assumptions #1: People make mistakes. #2: People can learn from their mistakes. #3: Students want to be successful.

Campus judicial and legal processes differ Distinctions

Legal system = Proof beyond a reasonable doubt Campus Judicial system = Preponderance of evidence

(51% rule)… 50-50 goes to the student Basic due process required = notice + hearing

More due process required for more serious offenses We have to abide by our own policies

ISU Judicial Affairs Philosophy (continued)

Student Discipline ≠ a simply punitive system

OJA Goal for hearing outcomes is education Accept & take responsibility for one’s actions Change behavior Work toward future success

Goals for Judicial Interaction

1. To help students.

2. To support faculty / staff / the campus community.

We realize students do not like to receive letters from our office. We

hope most of them leave knowing we want them to be successful at

Iowa State – even if they hope they never HAVE to see us again.

Caseload

The ISU Office of Judicial Affairs

Most common issues Alcohol/drug & related

violations

Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) violations

Academic misconduct violations

Violation 2005-2006

2006-2007

2007 - 2008

Alcohol & Drugs

382 463 363

Misuse of Computers

219 1050 1500+

Academic Dishonesty

268 151 132

Types of Academic Misconduct

Plagiarism Group work without permission Copying (exams, homework, etc.) “Too much helping” Improper citation or NO citing

(only a reference page) OTHERS?

Student Excuses for Academic Dishonesty “I didn’t know how to cite using (insert style here)”

“I didn’t know I had to cite it if it came from the internet”

“We were in the same group, so our assignments will look the same”

“We discussed our work, but didn’t copy each other”

“I was too busy to write it myself”

“I must have turned in the wrong document”

“I would never do this intentionally – it was a mistake”

“I had difficulty translating from my primary language”

“I didn’t think it would make that much difference in this class”

This is how I did it in high school (at another college, in another class, etc.).

Why do students cheat?

Poor time management Do not mean to (= oops) They are out to deceive and annoy faculty Afraid to ask questions about difficult subject

matter or process for specific assignments Basing their actions on past behaviors /

expectations

Process

Referral Minor Cases (≠ unimportant cases) Major Cases (could result in dismissal from ISU)

Notification to Student Initial Meeting Hearing Types

Administrative Hearing (minor cases) Major Cases

Agreed Resolution AUJ (All University Judiciary) Board APA (Administrative Procedure Act) Hearing

Sanctions (Resolutions)

Disciplinary reprimand Conduct probation Suspension

Deferred Defined Indefinite

Education – Papers, Classes, Presentations

Counseling Restitution Community Service

Sanctioning is not a “one size fits all” approach

Most common sanctions = Disciplinary Reprimand & Conduct Probation

OJA does NOT decide how academic misconduct impacts a student’s grade. That is left to the discretion of the faculty.

Discouraging Academic Dishonesty

The more you mention it, the more aware students are that YOU are aware (and that it matters)

Include a clear policy statement in your syllabus for using sources and discuss it Provide info to students on how to cite Consider suggesting an internet resource students can utilize

Clearly explain your expectations and consequencesExample: “Too much helping” – clarify this.

Use assignments that discourage plagiarism and copying Create new tests each semester Require outlines and drafts prior to due date Give written or oral pop-quizzes in class PLEASE REPORT ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT.

Process - What to do?

Suspected Misconduct

Request a meeting with student(s)

Meeting occurs: discuss allegations with

student(s)Meeting does not occur

Review info & allow student(s) to

admit or deny responsibility.

Determine there was misconduct.

Submit materials to OJA, use the memo of academic misconduct

Clarify behavior – determine there was no misconduct. End of process.

Memo of Academic Misconducthttp://www.dso.iastate.edu/ja/academic/AD-Referral-Letter-Template2.doc

MEMORANDUMDate: [ ]To: Dr. Dione Somerville

Dean of Students1010 Student Services BuildingAmes, IA 50011-2222

From: (Name, Dept. College)Re: Academic Misconduct[Course title-number/fall/spring/summer semester 2007/2008].This memo is a record of an academic misconduct case that occurred in [class name] with [student name] this[fall/spring/summer] semester. I became aware of the case [describe how/when/etc]. I responded by meetingwith the student(s) to discuss both the incident and the process according to my syllabus and university policy. Thefollowing outline is the summary of the discussion(s) and my conclusions regarding the alleged violation.[Describe the meeting with student, include date, time. Suggestions for info shared during the meeting: Explaining to the student how you became aware of this incident. Reviewed the course syllabus andassignment requirements and expectations. Include in the memo what the student stated during themeeting. Give the student the opportunity to admit/deny responsibility. Include in memo whether or notthe student admitted/denied responsibility for the alleged violation.]Actions I have taken include [list action re: grading/withholding of grade of assignment/overall class grade].[Name][Department][Email @iastate.edu][Phone Number]Encl: [Include relevant documentation. Eg: plagiarized paper and evidence reference(s), copies of

assignments, tests, quizzes etc.]

Submitting Info to OJA

Collect all relevant information including: Dates – of work submitted, meetings with students, etc. Copy of essay, paper, report, exam, etc. Source of alleged plagiarism, noted appropriately, OR Exam in question, with information copied, etc Email correspondence between you and the student Notes related to calls or conversations with student(s)

Determine grade/course outcome If student admits responsibility, or After OJA determines outcome of responsibility

http://www.dso.iastate.edu/ja/academic/misconduct.html

Things to Keep in Mind…

1. A significant number (almost all) of our students come to hearings and take responsibility for their behaviors.

2. Even if a student is found not responsible, s/he has been engaged in an intentional conversation about university expectations of behavior.

3. During hearings our office provides information to students about appealing OJA and academic decisions.

4. We see very few students a second time – particularly around issues of academic misconduct.

Things to Keep in Mind… (continued)

5. Grad / Doctoral student academic misconduct is more likely to be a major case because that research impacts ISU’s institutional integrity.

6. Not every action a student takes related to class constitutes academic misconduct, but actions may violate of other parts of the Student Disciplinary Regulations.

7. Generally, students are more worried about faculty reaction than judicial action. We encourage students to follow-up and maintain good relationships with TAs, instructors, and professors.

8. OJA is always available to consult about student issues.

Nice Segue: OJA is always available to consult about student issues. Issues are NOT limited to academic misconduct. The Dean of Students Office can help with behavioral

issues, as well. Classroom disruption Disturbing comments during meetings Statements of concerns in submitted assignments Demeanor / appearance / participation concerns Other

If you have questions or if other students present concerns about their peers, do not hesitate to call.

New sexual misconduct policy written last year. Information will go out to all students when they arrive. If you have questions or would like a speaker’s

bureau presentation for your class, contact me. If a student reports to you, call us. The DSO helps

coordinate response to sexual misconduct & harassment FOR STUDENTS.

The “Get a Yes” candy heart campaign will be on campus this fall. Fliers Presentations Collaboration with Campus Events

One more thing…

SUMMARY

Have a good academic misconduct statement and make academic integrity a key part of your class.

Talk with students about academic misconduct.

Report issues of academic misconduct. Call if you have questions about this or any

other types of student behavior. We want to partner with you.

Questions?