Academic Integrity

The students and staff of Delaware Technical Community College have an obligation to participate in the academic life of the college in a responsible and intellectually honest manner. As members of the Delaware Tech community, students have responsibilities and duties commensurate with their rights and privileges. One of these responsibilities is to be honest and forthright in their academic work. To falsify the results of one's work, to steal the words or ideas of another, or to cheat on an examination corrupts the academic process.

The College Policy on Academic Integrity defines academic dishonesty and outlines sanctions when academic integrity is breached. Academic dishonestly, in any form, is not tolerated; therefore, the College has the right and the responsibility to apply the sanctions outlines in this policy in order to safeguard the ideals of scholarship and character.

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Cheating

Cheating is an act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he or she has not mastered. Examples of cheating include but are not limited to:

Using and/or copying from another student's work such as test paper, project, or computer program.
Allowing another student to copy one’s work.
Using unauthorized materials such as a textbook, notebook, cell phone or other technology/materials during testing or competency performance without permission.
Collaborating during a test or competency performance with any other person by attempting to request or receive or by actually requesting or receiving information verbally, in writing, or electronically without permission.
Using specifically prepared materials that are not permitted during a test (e.g. notes, formula lists, notes written on the student's clothing or person, etc.).

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is the intentional violation of college policies by tampering with grades, taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of a learning tool (such as quiz, test, paper, presentation, etc.), or submitting the same work in more than one class without permission. Examples of academic misconduct include but are not limited to:

Stealing, buying, selling, or otherwise obtaining all or part of a learning measurement tool.
Selling or giving away all or part of a learning measurement tool, including answers to a learning measurement tool.
Bribing or coercing any other person to obtain or attempt to obtain a learning measurement tool or any information about the tool.
Changing or attempting to change a grade in a grade book, computer system, on a test, or on other work for which a grade has been given.
Changing, altering, or being an accessory to the changing or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, on a "change of grade" form, in an electronic system or in other official College academic records that relate to grades.
Obtaining or attempting to obtain a learning measurement tool.
Submitting written work to fulfill the requirements of more than one course without the explicit permission of both instructors.

Fabrication

Fabrication is the intentional use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive. Examples of fabrication include but are not limited to:

Citation of information not taken from the source indicated.
Listing sources in a bibliography or other report not used in the academic exercise.
Inventing data or source information for research or other academic exercise including but not limited to fabrication of log entries or internship hours.
Submitting as your own any academic exercise prepared totally or in part by another.
Taking a test for someone else or the student permitting someone else to take a test on one’s behalf.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the inclusion of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own work. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references and citations, and if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks as well. By placing his or her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgment. The student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if academic citations have been used accurately:

Whenever quoting another person's words.
Whenever using another person's idea, opinion or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in the student’s own words.
Whenever borrowing facts, statistics, computer programs, or other illustrative materials-unless the information is common knowledge.

Informing Students about Academic Integrity

The College informs students about the importance of academic integrity - including its relationship to professional integrity and success in the workplace and in higher education - and its role in protecting the public trust through the College Catalog, at New Student Orientation, in First Year Seminar (SSC 100), and on the portal.

Procedures for Adjudication of Alleged Academic Dishonesty

The instructor/designee must investigate an alleged attempted or apparent act of academic dishonesty and review the evidence and incident to ensure it is sufficient to warrant a charge of academic dishonesty. This investigation should include a documented discussion with the student prior to the submission of an Academic Dishonesty Report. If the investigation has not been completed prior to the grade due date, the instructor must submit an “I” (incomplete) grade and notify the assistant dean of instruction (hereafter referred to as “assistant dean”).
If the instructor/designee believes that academic dishonesty has occurred, he or she must complete an Academic Dishonesty Report providing a complete description of the incident, documented evidence of a meeting with the student, and evidence supporting the allegation. The instructor/designee must forward a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Report and copies of all evidence to his or her department chairperson and the assistant dean to notify them of the alleged infraction. The report must be completed and forwarded to the individuals listed above within five (5) working days of becoming aware of the alleged academic dishonesty. (The instructor or designee must keep the original assignment, test/examination, or other evidence as well as a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Report.)
An instructor may not assign a disciplinary grade such as "F" or zero to an assignment, test, or other coursework as a sanction for admitted or suspected dishonesty in lieu of following the Academic Integrity Policy.
Upon receipt and review of the Academic Dishonesty Report and evidence submitted, the assistant dean must notify the student in writing at the address of record regarding the alleged academic dishonesty and must forward to the student a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Report and a copy of the evidence. The assistant dean will notify the student that he or she may not drop the course. (Note: In this policy, when responsibility is assigned to the assistant dean, it may include his or her designee.)
The assistant dean will make every attempt to schedule a joint meeting with the student, the instructor/designee, and the department chairperson within ten (10) working days of receiving the Academic Dishonesty Report.

When necessary, the meeting may be conducted by video-conference.

During this meeting, every effort will be made to preserve a productive instructor/designee-student relationship. The student will be given the opportunity to ask questions about all written documents and to respond to the allegation. The student will be given the opportunity to accept responsibility for the infraction or to refute the charges.

At the meeting, the student will be asked to sign the Academic Dishonesty Report, thereby acknowledging that he or she is aware of the alleged infraction, accepts responsibility for the infraction or intends to refute the charges, and understands the possible sanctions.

If the student chooses to refute the charges, the assistant dean will request that the student produce additional evidence/information relevant to the incident. The assistant dean may also attempt to acquire additional information, depending on the nature of the discrepancies. The student has five (5) working days to submit additional evidence. The assistant dean will review the additional evidence within five (5) working days of receipt.

The student may not withdraw from the class in which the alleged infraction occurred and is expected to complete coursework until the alleged infraction has been resolved. If the alleged infraction has not been resolved by the time grades are due, the instructor must assign the student an "I" (Incomplete) grade. This grade will remain until the alleged infraction is adjudicated. If under any circumstance the student stops attending the course, a “U” (Unofficial Withdrawal) grade with a last date of attendance will be assigned.
If the assistant dean determines there was not an infraction of the Academic Integrity Policy, the instructor will clarify the standards of the assignment/test/examination/project with the student. In circumstances in which the assignment was not completed, an opportunity for the student to complete the assignment will be provided. In this case, the assistant dean will document the outcome on the Academic Dishonesty Report and maintain the document in the Office of Instruction.
If the assistant dean determines that the student violated the Academic Integrity Policy or if the student accepts responsibility for the infraction, the assistant dean will determine the appropriate sanction(s) in keeping with the adjudication procedures listed in this Academic Integrity Policy and will note such sanction(s) on the Academic Integrity Report.

The assistant dean will formally notify the student, the instructor/designee and the department chair that the student has been found responsible for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy and communicate the sanction(s). This communication to the student will be sent by both email and certified letter with return receipt requested within five (5) working days of reaching a determination that an infraction of the policy has occurred.
A student may appeal the decision by requesting a due process hearing with the Campus (for first and second infractions) or the College (for third infraction) Academic Integrity Appeal Committee. If the student chooses to exercise his or her right to a hearing, he or she must notify the assistant dean in writing within ten (10) working days of receipt of the letter informing him or her of the decision and sanction. Upon receipt of this notification, all imposed sanctions are suspended until the appeal process is completed.
The student must advise the assistant dean in writing if he or she will exercise his or her right to bring an advisor or attorney to the hearing. The assistant dean will notify the chairperson of the Campus or College Academic Integrity Appeal Committee (depending on the infraction) of the student’s request for a hearing.
Final decisions regarding the academic integrity infraction will be documented in the College’s student conduct database.

Sanctions for Academic Dishonesty

First Infraction

The assistant dean may impose an “F” grade for the course or a lesser sanction if warranted by the circumstances.

When an “F” grade for the course is imposed, the student will be required to complete an academic integrity tutorial within a timeframe set by the assistant dean. The assistant dean could also require a student to successfully complete an information literacy tutorial within a set timeframe. If either or both tutorials are not completed by the specified date, a dean’s hold will be placed on the student’s record until the tutorials are successfully completed.

An alternative sanction to the “F” grade may be imposed in situations in which the assistant dean determines, after reviewing the evidence and discussing the situation with the student, instructor/designee and department chairperson, that the student did not understand his or her actions were a form of academic dishonesty and there was no intention to be dishonest. An example of this may be plagiarism by completely paraphrasing in one's own words another person's idea, opinion, or theory without giving credit.

Additionally, in circumstances that do not justify an “F” grade for the course, a zero grade may be assigned for the assignment/test/examination/project in which the infraction occurred. In this case, the student will be required to retake or redo the assignment/test/examination/project to demonstrate mastery of the learning objective or to demonstrate mastery through an alternative means determined by the instructor/designee and approved by the department chairperson. The zero and the new grade will be averaged and factored into the final grade for the course, in accordance with the weight approved for the specific course evaluation measure within the overall evaluation measures approved for the course, which could still result in failure of the course depending on the weight of the assignment in the overall course grade.

Second Infraction

If the assistant dean determines that a second infraction of academic integrity has occurred in either the same or another course, the student will be assigned an automatic "F" in the course in which the second infraction occurred. The student will be required to complete an academic integrity tutorial, even if completed previously, by a date determined by the assistant dean. If the tutorial is not completed by the specified date, a dean’s hold will be placed on the student’s record until the tutorial(s) is successfully completed.

Third Infraction

If the assistant dean determines that a third infraction of academic integrity has occurred in either the same or another course, the student will be dismissed from the College.

Dismissal from the College means that the student cannot continue in any course in which he/she is enrolled. The student will receive an “F” grade for the course in which the infraction occurred and a “W” (Withdrawal) for any other course in which the student is enrolled.

Appeals

The Campus Academic Integrity Appeal (Committee) will hear appeals of first and second infractions. The committee is composed of the dean of instruction, a faculty member appointed by the campus director, and the dean of student affairs. The dean of instruction will chair the committee.

The College Academic Integrity Appeal Committee will hear appeals of third infractions. The Committee is composed of a dean of instruction from another campus, a dean of student affairs from another campus, and the assistant vice president for academic affairs. The associate vice president for academic affairs will chair the committee.

The Campus or College Academic Integrity Appeal Committee will conduct their proceedings as follows.

At the hearing, which is closed to the public, the chair of the Committee will introduce the written appeal to the Committee. The Committee will discuss issues, hear testimony, question witnesses, and consider available evidence pertaining to the appeal hearing. The Committee may call upon the instructor/designee, department chairperson, and anyone else who may provide relevant information. The student will have the opportunity to present statements, testimony, evidence, and witnesses; refute evidence brought forth to the Committee and present any relevant evidence in his or her defense; question witnesses; and respond to questions by the members of the Committee. The student may bring an advisor or attorney to the due process hearing but must advise the assistant dean in advance of the hearing, and the assistant dean will notify the chair of the appropriate appeal committee.

The written findings of facts and the sanction(s) will be submitted by the Committee to the campus director and to the dean of instruction of the campus where the alleged infraction took place within three (3) working days of the hearing, unless this time is extended for good cause by the Committee. The Committee’s decision will be final and will be sent via certified mail with return receipt requested within three (3) working days of the hearing to the student. A copy will also be sent to the instructor/designee and the department chair. The dean of instruction will authorize the registrar to record/change any grade.

The written findings of the facts and the sanction(s) will be kept in a confidential file in the office of the Committee chairperson (campus dean of instruction or College associate vice president for academic affairs) and made available to the student for at least five (5) years.