Transcript Slide 1

Academic Integrity and Judicial
Affairs Resources at
Iowa State University
Michelle L. Boettcher
Assistant Dean of Students and
Director of Judicial Affairs
Fall, 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
20052006
20062007
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 consequences
Example: “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)
Clarify behavior –
determine there was
no misconduct. End
of process.
Review info &
allow student(s) to
admit or deny
responsibility.
Determine there
was misconduct.
Meeting does not occur
Submit materials to
OJA, use the memo of
academic misconduct
Memo of Academic Misconduct
http://www.dso.iastate.edu/ja/academic/AD-Referral-Letter-Template2.doc
MEMORANDUM
Date: [
]
To:
Dr. Dione Somerville
Dean of Students
1010 Student Services Building
Ames, 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 meeting
with the student(s) to discuss both the incident and the process according to my syllabus and university policy. The
following 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 and
assignment requirements and expectations. Include in the memo what the student stated during the
meeting. Give the student the opportunity to admit/deny responsibility. Include in memo whether or not
the 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.
One more thing…
 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
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?