WKU Faculty Handbook-Student Academic Offenses

Student Academic Offenses - The maintenance of academic integrity is of fundamental importance to the University. Thus it should be clearly understood that acts of plagiarism or any other form of cheating will not be tolerated and that anyone committing such acts risks punishment of a serious nature.  The University Disciplinary Committee holds hearings and recommends action in cases of alleged academic dishonesty.  The Committee functions through the Dean of Student Life.  Procedural guidelines are outlined in the current issue of Hilltopics:  A Handbook for University Life.

Academic Dishonesty - It is the responsibility of each faculty member to maintain at all times conditions that discourage academic dishonesty in any form. Faculty should be careful to insure that class records and examinations are not accessible to those not entitled to such information and should make every effort to inspire in students the proper attitude and respect for honesty in academic work. The Dean of Student Life is available for assis-tance in dealing with cases of dishonesty.

Plagiarism - To represent ideas or interpretations taken from another source as one's own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The academic work of students must be their own. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To lift content directly from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism.

Cheating - No student shall receive or give assistance not authorized by the instructor in taking an examination or in the preparation of an essay, laboratory report, problem assignment, or other project that is submitted for purposes of grade determination.

Disposition of Offenses - Students who commit any act of academic dishonesty may receive from the instructor a failing grade in that portion of the course work in which the act is detected or a failing grade in the course without possibility of withdrawal.  The faculty member may also present the case to the University Disciplinary Committee through the Office of the Dean of Student Life for disciplinary sanctions.  Students who believe a faculty member has dealt unfairly with them in a situation involving alleged academic dishonesty may seek relief through the Student Complaint Procedure.

Other Types of Academic Dishonesty - Other types of academic offenses, such as the theft or sale of tests, should be reported to the Office of the Dean of Student Life for disciplinary action.

Copied from Western Kentucky University's Faculty Handbook