Academic Misconduct
Southern Utah University is a caring campus community where students can expect to matriculate with a degree, certificate, or credential that is recognized and respected. Academic misconduct jeopardizes this expectation and marginalizes the genuine accomplishments of all. As such, academic misconduct is at odds with Southern Utah University's goal to foster an intellectual atmosphere that produces educated, credible people and will not be tolerated in any form.
What is Academic Misconduct?
Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, use of unauthorized resources, and unauthorized collaboration, retention, or distribution of course materials. All work submitted by a student must represent that student's own ideas and effort. When the work does not represent the student's own work it must be properly cited; if it is not, the student has engaged in academic misconduct.
The following are specific examples of such conduct:
- purchasing a paper or other project for which one then seeks to receive credit;
- copying from another student with the intent of receiving credit as one's own work;
- using "crib notes" or other stored information (physical or electronic) without expressed permission from the faculty member;
- misrepresenting yourself or someone else in an exam setting;
- collaborating on assignments or exams when such collaboration is forbidden;
- failing to properly document source material in a paper or project;
- "cutting and pasting" source material from various internet sites and submitting it as your own work without proper citation;
- retaining, photocopying, photographing, taking screenshots, or otherwise archiving course materials such as examinations, with or without the intent to distribute, when these materials would not otherwise be made available by the instructor;
- fabricating an assignment-related learning experience, for example, fabricating feedback from a writing center tutor, an interview, or field experience;
- falsifying your attendance or another's attendance at an event to receive credit or extra credit;
- misrepresenting one's contributions to group projects;
- submitting any academic work containing a reference to a source that has been fabricated;
- submitting, in whole or in part, an essay, presentation, or assignment more than once, whether the earlier submission was at this or another institution, without prior approval from the instructor(s);
- use of unauthorized resources, which may include ChatGPT or other generative AI platforms, to complete part or all of an assignment or assessment. Always check with the instructor to ensure you know what resources are allowed for any given assignment!
NOTE: The list above is intended only to provide general guidelines in recognizing and avoiding common types of academic dishonesty. It is in no way an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all the types of academic dishonesty.
Academic Misconduct Inquiries and Consequences
Except in cases of major offenses, responding to suspected academic misconduct is the responsibility of the instructor of the course in which the violation occurs. The instructor shall follow the procedures outlined in Policy 6.33. If the preponderance of evidence suggests misconduct occurred, the instructor may also impose an appropriate sanction and SUU's Academic Integrity Specialist is notified and records the incident which becomes part of the student's permanent University record. The student may appeal the instructor's decision and/or sanction by emailing a review request to the Academic Integrity Specialist within five (5) days of receiving the instructor's determination.
While decisions about specific incidents will be based solely on related information (judicial history cannot be introduced), judicial history can be considered when determining appropriate sanctions. Previously reported incidents of academic misconduct will result in a more rigorous sanction which may include suspension or expulsion.
Academic Integrity Specialist (AIS)
Dr. Abigail Larson
Professor of Kinesiology
- Kinesiology and Outdoor Recreation faculty member since 2012
- Previous Faculty Senate President (2022-2023)
Responsibilities of the AIS
- Serve as a resource for faculty & students throughout alleged academic misconduct resolution process;
- Maintain records and documentation of incidences of academic misconduct;
- Review and process appeal requests by students and communicate appeal outcomes to all involved parties;
- Collaborate and communicate with the Dean of Students Office the Registrar's Office;
- Orchestrate and oversee the planning and organization of Panel Hearings;
- Provide outreach, training, and resources to faculty and students.
Faculty Resources
- Policy 6.33 Academic Misconduct
- Process Checklist for Suspected Academic Misconduct
- Academic Integrity Tools and Statements
- Academic Misconduct Canvas Course
- How high is the potential for AI misuse on your writing assignment?
- Possible Sanctions and Considerations
- Responding to Academic Misconduct Flowchart
- Templates
- Notice of Suspected Academic Misconduct: Template #1 and Template #2
- Written Determination of Suspected Academic Misconduct: Template #1 and Template #2