Academic Integrity

A community built on principles of Christlikeness sets a very high standard! To put this into human terms, here is what we expect of each of the three broad groups of the university community: faculty, staff, students. 

The Lipscomb University Faculty Commitment to Integrity

• I affirm my commitment to uphold the values of the Lipscomb University community:
• I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I condone the actions of those who do.
• I will investigate and properly pursue acts of suspected academic integrity violations.
• I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my activities as a Lipscomb University faculty member.

The Lipscomb University Staff and Administrative Personnel Commitment to Integrity

• I affirm my commitment to uphold the values of the Lipscomb University community:
• I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my duties in the Lipscomb University community, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.
• I will properly report acts of suspected academic integrity violations.
• I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my activities as a member of the Lipscomb University community.

The Lipscomb University Student Commitment to Integrity

• I affirm my commitment to uphold the values of the Lipscomb University community:
• I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.
• I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my activities as a Lipscomb University student.

Lipscomb University students, faculty and staff are responsible for conducting themselves with high integrity, both inside and outside of the academic setting. Having an awareness of what constitutes “academic fraud” is helpful to everyone.  Just in case there is any question about how we define violations of academic integrity, here is a list of the key “definitions.”

Unauthorized collaboration

is the act of working with others without the specific permission of the instructor on assignments. In different courses, various kinds of collaboration may be authorized (permitted by the instructor), or unauthorized. Please check with your instructor for specific guidance on whether collaboration is allowed.
Students may not collaborate on coursework that will be graded unless they have faculty authorization. This rule applies to in class or take home tests, papers, labs, and homework assignments.

Cheating

is intentionally using, attempting to use, or providing unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or the ideas or work of another in any academic exercise.

Fabrication

is the intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Fabrication or alteration of data tends to occur to deliberately mislead. For example, changing data to get better experiment results is academic fraud. Professors in lab classes will often have strict guidelines for the completion of labs and assignments. When in doubt about what might be considered fabrication, consult the professor.

Multiple submission

is the use of work previously submitted at this or any other institution to fulfill academic requirements in another class. For example, using a paper from a 12th grade English class for an LU 1103 assignment is academic fraud. Slightly altered work that has been resubmitted is also considered to be fraudulent. With prior permission, some professors may allow students to complete one assignment for two classes. In this case, prior permission from both instructors is necessary.

False citation

is falsely citing a source or attributing work to a source from which the referenced material was not obtained. A simple example of this would be footnoting a paragraph and citing a work that was never utilized.

Plagiarism

is intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise, i.e., using someone else’s ideas or work without proper or complete acknowledgement. Plagiarism encompasses many things, and is by far the most common example of academic fraud. For example, copying a passage straight from a book into a paper without quoting or explicitly citing the source is plagiarism. In addition, completely reworking someone else’s work or ideas and using it as one’s own is also plagiarism. It is very important that students properly acknowledge all ideas, work, and even distinctive wording that are not their own. However, certain information in any discipline is considered "common knowledge" and may be used without acknowledgment. What is considered to be common knowledge varies among fields; when in doubt, consult a professor. Students unsure of how to properly cite a source are encouraged to consult a professor, or a relevant manual of style.

Internet resources

are quickly becoming popular materials used in academic research. Many websites provide reliable information; however, others may not provide well documented research. If you rely on Internet resources for your research, be sure to verify the correctness of the information and to use proper citation in your work.

Facilitating academic dishonesty

is intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of the Lipscomb University Judicial Code. See Expectations.

Students don’t have to go it alone! Lipscomb faculty and staff are always available to discuss issues of academic integrity. In fact, faculty members are encouraged to champion an atmosphere of academic integrity in the classroom in several ways:

1. Establish clear expectations for every assignment, project and exam.
2. Include a statement about commitment to integrity and expectations in the class syllabus.
3. Discuss how to use proper citations to show respect for other scholars.
4. Walk the talk … cite sources in class lectures.
5. Encourage students to raise their hands if they are confused about citation practices or other research standards.
6. Make sure students understand not only what counts as plagiarism and cheating but also how to avoid engaging in these practices. This can include conversations about managing time, taking notes correctly and using the Internet appropriately.
7. Make expectations clear. Provide written guidelines about collaborating with peers, citing sources, using notes or exams from previous classes, and accessing information during an examination.
8. Assign focused and specific research topics and don’t allow last-minute changes of topic.
9. Reduce the opportunities, and hence the temptation, to cheat on exams such as by changing exam questions often.
10. Demonstrate commitment to the standards by investigating and reporting suspected cases of academic integrity violations in a timely manner. See Violations.

Lipscomb University subscribes to a specific process in dealing with violations of academic integrity that begins with the instructor’s investigation and can go through to review and action by the university’s Integrity Council.

Faculty member observes or discovers an academic integrity violation:

1. The instructor should privately confront the student with the apparent violation, present whatever evidence there may be to demonstrate that a violation may have occurred, explain the severity of the apparent violation, and ask the student to respond. Instructors should document in writing the content and results of this meeting along with whatever evidence there is to support the allegation.
2. If the instructor decides that no violation has occurred, or if the student satisfactorily explains suspicious actions or evidence, the matter should be dropped -­ no further action is necessary.
3. If the instructor decides that a violation worthy of sanction has in fact occurred -­ either because the student admits the violation or because the student denies the allegation without providing a satisfactory explanation ­- the instructor should complete and sign Section A of the "Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation" form (found in the Office of the Provost section of myLipscomb) and have the student complete and sign Section B of that form. If the student does not return a fully signed and completed copy of the form within 14 calendar days of receipt, the proposed academic penalty specified on the form will be deemed to be the final resolution of the matter and will be enforced by the university. If the student returns a signed copy of the form within 14 calendar days, indicating that he or she does not agree with the alleged violation, the matter will be referred to the Integrity Council for a hearing.
4. The completed form should be sent immediately to Walter Surdacki, Ezell 218, in a sealed envelope.

A third party notifies an instructor of an academic integrity violation:

1. 1)    The instructor should attempt to gather evidence either confirming or refuting the allegation. Allegations brought by students should never be ignored, even if they seem difficult or impossible to prove. To do nothing is to abdicate one’s professional responsibility to one’s students and one’s university.
   2)    If the instructor cannot develop or obtain appropriate evidence to support the allegation, the instructor should meet privately with the accuser, describe what steps were taken in response to the allegation, and explain why sanctions were not administered. The instructor should also describe what steps will be taken, if possible, to prevent the alleged behavior from taking place in the future.
   3)    If evidence of impropriety does surface, the instructor should privately confront the student with the apparent violation, present whatever evidence there may be to support the allegation, explain the severity of the apparent violation, and ask the student to respond. Instructors should document in writing the content and results of this meeting along with whatever evidence there is to support the allegation.
   4)    If the instructor decides that a violation worthy of sanction has in fact occurred ­- either because the student admits the violation or because the student denies the allegation without providing a satisfactory explanation -­ the instructor should complete and sign Section A of the "Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation" form (found in the Office of the Provost section of myLipscomb) and have the student complete and sign Section B of that form. If the student does not return a fully signed and completed copy of the form within 14 calendar days of receipt, the proposed academic penalty specified on the form will be deemed to be the final resolution of the matter and will be enforced by the university. If the student returns a signed copy of the form within 14 calendar days, indicating that he or she does not agree with the alleged violation, the matter will be referred to the Integrity Council for a hearing.
   5)    The completed form should be sent immediately to Walter Surdacki, Ezell 218, in a sealed envelope.

The Lipscomb University Integrity Council.

There are three situations in which an academic integrity violation has recourse to the Lipscomb University Integrity Council, whose decisions are final:

1. When the instructor and the student cannot reach a resolution, the case is forwarded to the Integrity Council for a hearing. The Integrity Council will determine if the student is guilty of the charge of an academic integrity violation. The ruling of the Integrity Council is final.
   1. If the student is found guilty, the Integrity Council will impose the suggested punishment noted by the faculty member in Section A of the "Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation" form.
   2. If the student is found not guilty, no penalty will be assessed and no further action is necessary.
2. When the chair of the Integrity Council receives a properly processed "Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation" form, he/she will search to see if this student has committed a previous academic integrity violation offense. If there is a previous offense, the student’s file is automatically forwarded to the Integrity Council for a hearing. The Integrity Council will consider the student’s file in its entirety and may impose additional sanctions in light of the number of academic integrity offenses committed by the student and the severity of the cases. The ruling of the Integrity Council is final.
3. When the instructor has made the appropriate consequences within the class, but feels that further sanctions might be needed.

This group is the final arbiter in cases of academic integrity violation. Their decisions surrounding cases brought before them are final.

Composition:

• Two voting faculty members from the Academic Advisory Committee
• Two voting student representatives
• The Provost or Council Chair (voting only in a tie)

The faculty members for each hearing will be elected by the Academic Advisory Committee of the Faculty Senate and will serve a two-year term. The student representatives will be nominated by the deans and department chairs of each college. If a student member of the Integrity Council has a conflict of interest in a particular case, another student from the Council will be selected for the hearing.

Student representatives must meet the following qualifications for nomination:

• Maintained a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Completed at least 75 hours at the end of the semester in which they are nominated.
• Declared a major.
• Approved for nomination by at least 90% of the faculty in their first declared major area.

Those student nominees who meet these qualifications and agree to serve on the Integrity Council will serve for one academic year beginning in June.
If a student appearing before the Integrity Council is a graduate student, the two student representatives shall also be graduate students.
The Provost is a standing member of the Integrity Council. The Provost may designate a member of the administration or the faculty to be his representative on the Integrity Council.

Officers

The Integrity Council will select two officers.

1. The chair will be the Provost or his designated appointee. The chair will be responsible for organizing the other council members and conducting the meetings. The chair position is permanent unless stated otherwise. The vote will be regulated by the chair.
2. A secretary will be temporarily appointed for each hearing. Typically, the secretary will be appointed by the dean of the college in which the violation has occurred.

Vacancies

In the event of a faculty vacancy, the Academic Advisory Committee of the Faculty Senate will nominate and choose an eligible faculty member.
If the chair chooses to abdicate his/her position, then the Provost will select a new chair to preside. If the Provost serves as the chair and decides to step down then he/she will choose a replacement. If the Integrity Council finds the administrator to be in violation of the policies or regulations of the university then the council can report these wrong doings to the Provost for proper dismissal.

Administrative Procedures

• Should an honor code violation be reported during the summer sessions, the chair will call upon the newly elected Integrity Council to carry out the necessary procedures. If a student or faculty member position on the Integrity Council cannot be represented by a voting member or an alternate, the chair and the provost may select temporary or ad hoc Integrity Council members to hear the single pending case. However, all duly elected council members should if at all possible be present.
• Should any member of the Integrity Council be placed on academic or disciplinary probation for any reason, he/ she must vacate his/ her council seat.
• In the event of a suspected academic integrity violation by a council member, that member will be suspended from the council until the investigation of his/ her case is completed. If the council member is not guilty of the charge, he or she will be immediately reinstated to the council. If he or she is found guilty, then he or she will be expelled from the council permanently and normal disciplinary action will then occur.
• SGA senators may serve on the Integrity Council, but if SGA at anytime becomes an obstacle then the student can be removed from the Integrity Council by the Provost.
• All voting positions are equal. Students and faculty members have full voting rights and the freedom of speech to express their opinions. The chair has the freedom to express an opinion, but will only vote in cases of a tie. All votes are confidential. Decisions of the Integrity Council are final.

Meetings

The Integrity Council will meet to hear cases of academic integrity violations in a timely manner as they occur. The Integrity Council will meet as needed to review and make recommendations regarding policies and procedures.

Hearing Procedures

1. Cases are referred to the Integrity Council when one of the following occurs:
   1. A faculty member refers the case for additional consideration
   2. An accused student refuses to sign the Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation Form
   3. A student has multiple integrity offenses

Regardless of the source of the referral to the Integrity Council, all appeals will be heard in order to ensure a fair process.

Hearings will convene within five business days of the filing of the disposition form, subject to extenuating circumstances (including, without limitation, summer break or other calendar breaks in the academic year).

2. Before a hearing convenes the Integrity Council requests summary statements from the student and faculty member involved in the case.
   1. Before convening a hearing resulting from 1a. or 1b. above, the following documents should be submitted to the Chair of the Integrity Council. These documents will be provided to the members of the Integrity Council prior to the hearing for their review.
      • The student will write a statement summarizing the circumstances of the situation in question. If the student refused to sign the Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation Form, this statement should also include the student’s rationale for not signing the Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation Form.
      • The faculty member will write a statement summarizing the circumstances of the situation in question and the faculty member’s rationale for the punishment outlined on the Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation Form.
   2. Before convening a hearing resulting from 1c. above, the following document should be submitted to the Chair of the Integrity Council. These documents will be provided to the members of the Integrity Council prior to the hearing for their review.
      • The student will write a statement summarizing the circumstances of the multiple offenses in question.
3. The Integrity Council will meet each semester regardless of document submissions.
4. Hearings of the Integrity Council will follow this protocol:
   1.  The Chair of the Integrity Council will make introductions and explain procedures.
   2. The faculty member will be given 15 minutes to explain his/her position.
   3. The student will be given 15 minutes to explain his/her position. Students will be allowed to have a silent support person with them during the hearing. The support person will not provide advice and may not be an attorney or family member.
   4. The Integrity Council will be allowed to ask questions of either party.
   5. Students can ask up to 3 pertinent witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the offense to speak to the Integrity Council.
   6. The faculty member can ask up to 3 pertinent witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the offense to speak to the Integrity Council.
   7. The Integrity Council can ask questions of witnesses as they arise.
   8. After all witnesses are finished, both sides will then take five minutes to make final comments.
   9. Each hearing will be transcribed. A student will not have the right to review or receive a copy of any minutes or notes from the hearing.
   10.  Decisions will be made by majority vote in private session and a final determination of any allegations based on a preponderance of the evidence (i.e., whether it is more likely than not that the violation occurred).
   11. All members of the council must be present or represented by an alternate as selected by the council chair.
5. If a student does not attend or participate in a scheduled hearing regarding the student’s alleged violation (irrespective of which party requested the hearing), the hearing need not take place and the proposed academic penalty specified in the Faculty Disposition of Academic Integrity Violation form will be deemed to be the final resolution of the matter and will be enforced by the university. If, however, the hearing relates to a second alleged violation by the student and the student does not attend or participate in the scheduled hearing, the Integrity Council will proceed to meet without the student and will determine the appropriate academic penalty in light of the circumstances as a whole. A representative of the Integrity Council will then contact the student and faculty member regarding such decision, as set forth in item 6 below.
6. Within three days of the hearing, subject to extenuating circumstances (including, without limitation, summer break or other calendar breaks in the academic year), a representative(s) of the Integrity Council will contact the student and the faculty member to communicate the Council’s final decision.