• Academic Misconduct

• Student Conduct Code & Procedure

Office for Community Standards and Student Conflict Resolution Center

Student Conflict Resolution Center for students and instructors. “Come with a problem, leave with a plan.”

SCRC has prepared a guide for staff, faculty, and instructors on reducing instructional complaints. They invite you to explore and would be more than happy to meet with you.

UMN Office for Community Standards, their mission is to support instructors and students with situations of scholastic dishonesty and conduct violations.  While academic dishonesty is a rare occurrence in the CIS classroom, the Office for Community Standards can be an asset when working through incidences of scholastic dishonesty.

Brief reminders to prevent and inform these situations:

• Promote academic integrity as you always do.  Teach students what academic integrity means for instructor and student actions and words in your discipline.

  • Help students understand the consequences and share student resources

  • Board of Regents Student Conduct Code (linked in the syllabus policies- all 10 pages!)

If an incident occurs:

• CIS instructors consult with your faculty coordinator to discuss details of the circumstances and be informed of any departmental recommendations.  There are a variety of responses depending on the circumstances.  

• Work with the student to learn about their understanding of the situation.

• Keep your own instructor records of what has occurred and notify the CIS office if an incident has occurred and will be reported.

• Steps for determining suspected scholastic dishonesty (in addition to high school procedures)

• See guidelines in determining an academic outcome

Responding to Student Misconduct or Disruptive Conduct in the Classroom

Responding to Disruptive Conduct in the Classroom (OCS website)

The University of Minnesota encourages resolution of incidents at the lowest level possible.

Students have the right to a productive and stimulating learning environment. In turn, instructors have a responsibility to nurture and maintain such an environment. Student behavior that is an obstacle to teaching and learning should be addressed.

1. 1. 1. Check with your [faculty coordinator and CIS] to see if they have specific expectations for students enrolled in their programs or certain practices for responding to disruptions. 

      2. Meet with the student to discuss their behavior. Explain to them why you believe their behavior is disruptive. 

      3. Give the student an opportunity to discuss concerns that may be contributing to their behavior. 

      4. Clearly state that behavior that disrupts the class cannot continue. If in the meeting they appear unwilling to modify their behavior, let them know that Disruption of the Academic Environment is part of the Student Conduct Code and continued disruptions may be referred to OCS. 

Responding to Scholastic Dishonesty

Responding to Scholastic Dishonesty (OCS website)

1. 1. If you suspect scholastic dishonesty, record the incident immediately while it is fresh in your mind. Gather information and evidence. Keep relevant documents until the matter is resolved.

   2. Contact Emily Hanson and your faculty coordinator. These conversations can often help clarify the nature of the problem and which University policy is applicable.

   3. Talk to the student about the matter. Ask questions. Listen. Share why you suspect scholastic dishonesty. Take notes. 

   4. As governed by UMN policy, instructors have some discretion over the consequences of scholastic dishonesty. They may assign sanctions appropriate to the situation, e.g., an F on an assignment or an F for the course; this informally resolves the incident. Your syllabus may dictate what you do. Most issues are resolved informally between the CIS instructor and the student, but some may move on to a formal process.

   5. If you determine that scholastic dishonesty has occurred, inform the student [in writing] of their academic sanction and that you will be reporting the incident. 

   6. Fill out and submit the Scholastic Dishonesty Report Form. 

      1. 1. You’ll need your UMN course and section numbers, syllabus, and a description of the incident and subsequent actions. 

         2. CIS instructors hold the position of Teaching Specialist. 

         3. The student’s college of enrollment is the College of Continuing and Professional Studies.

         4. Submit your report.

         5. Inform Emily Hanson and your faculty coordinator about the report.

After a report is submitted

• OCS sends a charge letter to the student, and in many cases will meet with them individually to discuss the matter.

• OCS can add additional sanctions, depending on the severity of the violation.

• Student has the option of accepting an informal resolution or requesting a formal resolution (hearing)

Additional Information

• A reported student incident remains on record at the OCS. 

• A student who has engaged in scholastic dishonesty cannot withdraw to avoid failing the course.

Disciplinary Process & Potential Consequences and Outcomes

Investigation and decisions are made in consultation with the UMN OCS office, and any applicable UMN department or college procedures must be followed. 

The disciplinary process, which OCS follows to resolve reported violations of the Student Conduct Code, includes:

• • notifying the student of the report 

  • meeting with the student about the report 

  • opportunity for further review 

The University uses preponderance of the evidence as the standard of proof for alleged violations of the Student Conduct Code. This means that students will be held responsible for a violation of the Student Conduct Code if it is more likely than not that the violation has occurred.

Consequences and outcomes for violation of the Student Conduct Code are listed on the OCS website.

Academic Integrity Matters (AIM)

Academic Integrity Matters (AIM) is a program offered to students who have engaged in scholastic dishonesty and accept responsibility for violating the Student Conduct Code. The AIM Program is structured around the principles of restorative justice, and gives students the opportunity to discuss the impact of scholastic dishonesty as well as gain a greater understanding of academic integrity.

• If a student completes all components of the program, the Office for Community Standards  will change the student’s disciplinary record to non-disciplinary.

Students' Rights 

1. Students can have an advocate or lawyer present throughout the process.

   • Student Advocates for Meetings with OCS: A student may choose to bring a support person such as an advocate with them to a meeting with OCS. Students can obtain an advocate through Student Advocate Services. If a student plans to have an advocate attend the meeting with them, OCS should be notified beforehand.

2. Students have the right to keep attending class until the case is officially resolved.