| Abington College Academic Integrity Policy |
There is a formal accusation of academic dishonesty or a sanction imposed by an instructor that is contested by the student; or
The student in any other way fails to accept responsibility for an academic integrity violation; or
The student has a history of two or more previous academic integrity violations or the faculty member recommends an Office of Judicial Affairs consideration of disciplinary sanctions.
If contesting an allegation of sanction, where the student does not have two or more previous academic integrity violations and the faculty member does not recommend formal disciplinary sanction, the student may request either that a paper review of the case be made by the committee or that a full hearing take place. This holds regardless of violation category or sanction.
In the case that the student requests a paper review, the student then waives a face-to-face meeting with the committee and the instructor who is recommending the sanction. The student thus presents evidence in writing to contest either the fact that a violation has occurred or the specific sanction proposed by the instructor. The Committee then convenes to weigh the evidence for and against the alleged violation and/or sanction. After timely deliberation the Committee renders its judgment and notifies all parties of the decision. Both the student accused and the instructor bringing a case against the student will be given a written explanation of the Committee's verdict.
In the case that the student requests a full hearing, the Committee will convene to hear testimony, question witnesses (if any) and accept evidence. After timely deliberation the Committee renders its judgment and notifies all parties of the decision in writing.
Whether a paper review or a full hearing, the Committee chairperson, in consultation with other members of the Committee, rules on admissibility of evidence, relevance of testimony, and acceptability of witnesses. He or she directs the process, rules on procedures and votes on ties.
The student has the right:To be informed in a reasonable time to prepare
To waive reasonable time & proceed as permitted
To prior review of available evidence & documentation
To be absent from the hearing
To provide testimony as a defense
To question accusers & witnesses present
To a written report stating rationales for the findings & sanctions
The Committee is to be guided by a burden of proof standard that involves guilt by "clear and convincing evidence," not as in criminal legal proceedings, "beyond a reasonable doubt." In other words, the Committee's judgment is to be rendered in accordance with the question, would it be reasonable to draw a supported and clear conclusion based on the existing relevant and admissible evidence that a code of conduct violation has occurred?
Committee judgments regarding the nature and severity of sanctions, where contested by the student, will be based upon both precedent and reasonableness.
Imposition of the "XF" grade reflects the fact that a student has failed a course due to an egregious violation of academic integrity standards and/or has demonstrated a pattern of academic integrity violations. It is a formal university disciplinary action that remains on the student's official record until such a time as the student fulfills certain conditions, to be determined in advance, for its erasure. It cannot be imposed unilaterally by an instructor. Rather, it is an action taken by the Office of Judicial Affairs as a result of an instructor's recommendation and the concurrence of the College Dean and JA.
Removal of the "XF" Grade. An "XF" grade will be removed only after remaining on the student's record for at least two years subsequent to the semester in which the violation occurs and after the student has performed such service to the Abington College Community as deemed appropriate by the Committee. Additional conditions upon removal of the "XF" shall be determined by the committee as appropriate.
The Abington College Academic Integrity Committee consists of seven members serving a two-year term:
David Ruth, Associate Professor of History, Chair
Howard Medoff, Associate Professor of Engineering
Karen Halnon, Assistant Professor of Sociology
Joan Raudenbush, College Registrar
Dr. Samir Ouzomgi, Acting Associate Dean, ex officio
Gale Siegel, Director of Student Affairs
Student Representative