What is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity is the practice of honest, transparent, and ethical behaviors in all aspects of academic work. It requires a firm adherence by all members of our university community to fundamental values. These fundamental values include honesty, trust, fairness, responsibility, respect, and courage (International Center for Academic Integrity).
Why is Academic Integrity Important?
Academic integrity furthers the central purpose of the university: to foster high-quality learning, teaching, and research which arises from the intellectual and creative work of our entire academic community. Just as faculty are expected to follow the fundamental values of academic integrity in their own scholarship, so too are students. When students put forth their best efforts and act with integrity, they gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence that come from earned success and ultimately develop the habits of mind needed to become lifelong learners and educated citizens.
Fitchburg State University Academic Integrity Policy
The Academic Integrity Policy of the Fitchburg State University is designed to cultivate an academic environment of honesty and integrity by ensuring that undergraduate and graduate students understand and adhere to ethical standards in their academic work. By maintaining high standards of academic integrity, Fitchburg State University protects the value of the educational process and the credibility of the institution and its graduates in the larger community. This policy outlines the academic integrity standards that apply to students and provides procedures to address alleged violations, fostering a fair and supportive educational environment.
Fitchburg State University Academic Community Responsibilities
Our scholarly community flourishes when all members are committed to upholding the values of academic integrity. Through our daily practices, students, faculty and administrators have responsibilities to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity.
Accusation Letter Templates for Faculty
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Academic Integrity Review Process
When an alleged offense of the Academic Integrity Policy has occurred, the following process will apply:
If a faculty member decides to make a formal allegation of a violation of the academic integrity policy, they will email the student and the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board with a letter describing the case for academic dishonesty, the sanction imposed and outlining the possible responses available to the student. The student has 3 business days to respond to the allegation. If the student does not respond in 3 business days, the sanction imposed by the faculty member stands. When the student signs the letter, it will be sent to the faculty member and the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board.
The faculty member can apply a sanction up to failing a class. If the alleged academic violation is so egregious that the faculty member believes that a sanction beyond failing the class is warranted, the faculty member should consult with the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board to determine if a more severe sanction can be applied.
Only members of the Fitchburg State University community may make an allegation of academic dishonesty. Accusers, who are not faculty, may initiate the formal process by submitting a letter describing the case for academic dishonesty to the faculty member or the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board.
Violations must be reported within fourteen calendar days of discovering the alleged violation and must have occurred during the current academic semester or within the completion of all work associated within the given semester.
The faculty member or the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board (in cases where someone other than the faculty member reports an allegation of academic integrity) will send the notification letter to the student via the Fitchburg State University email account.
A student cannot drop or withdraw from the course until a resolution has been reached. A temporary hold will be put on the student record (blocks registration and drop/withdraw a class) by the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board. The name of the hold will be “Academic Hold”, with the course name noted in the description. Registration changes (add, drops, and withdrawals) unrelated to the identified course will be managed by the Registrar’s Office until the hold has been lifted, provided all standard procedures are followed, such as obtaining advisor approval for a course withdrawal after the add/drop period.
Upon notification of the alleged academic integrity violation, the student can respond in the following ways:
- Student agrees with the allegation of academic dishonesty and the sanction as imposed by the faculty member or Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board.
The student agrees with the allegation and sanction and signs the letter accordingly. The sanction identified by the faculty member will be imposed. The letter signed by the faculty member and the student will be placed in the University’s Academic Conduct Record.
The Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will review all submissions to the Academic Conduct Record for this student. If the student has multiple admitted or proven allegations of academic integrity on file, the Chair can convene the Academic Integrity Review Board to consider additional sanctions based on repeated behaviors.
- Student agrees with the allegation of academic dishonesty but disagrees with the sanction imposed.
If the student agrees with the allegation, but disagrees with the sanction, the student may submit an appeal to the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board. The Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will review the student’s appeal as well as other evidence such as course syllabus and the allegation to determine whether the case should be heard by the entire Review Board. In most cases, if the sanction falls within what is listed in the syllabus, course documents or written communication, the sanction stands and the case is not heard by the Academic Integrity Review Board. In rare cases, the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board may send the appeal to the Academic Integrity Review Board. The Academic Integrity Review Board may issue a less severe sanction than identified by the faculty member. In cases of multiple admitted or proven allegations of academic integrity on file, the Academic Integrity Review Board may issue additional or more severe sanctions than initially recommended by the faculty member.
- Student denies the allegation of academic dishonesty.
If the student disagrees with the allegation and signs the letter accordingly, the student may appeal the matter to the Academic Integrity Review Board. The faculty member will forward the letter of signed denial by the student and other relevant information to the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board. In rare cases, the Academic Integrity Review Board may issue a less severe sanction than identified by the faculty member. In cases of multiple admitted or proven allegations of academic integrity on file, the Academic Integrity Review Board may issue additional or more severe sanctions than initially recommended by the faculty member.
When a case is brought forward, the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will review all relevant information and either:
Dismiss the incident due to lack of timeliness in reporting the allegation.
If the case is dismissed due to lack of timeliness in reporting the allegation, a letter of dismissal is sent to the student, faculty member, and a copy of the dismissal letter is placed in the Academic Conduct Record. The decision is final.
Contact the accused student to schedule a hearing.
Each hearing will be heard by the Chair (non-voting ex-officio), two faculty/librarian members and one student. Cases involving undergraduate students will have an undergraduate serving as the student member of the board. In cases involving graduate students, a graduate student will serve as the student member of the board. The student with the alleged violation will have an opportunity to review the make-up of the hearing panel and can request a substitution of one member if a substitute is available.
The hearing will be scheduled within 2-15 business days. If extenuating situations prevent the hearing from occurring within 15 business days, the Review Board will contact the faculty member and student and make every effort to schedule as close to the 15-day window as possible.
Hearings for alleged violations that occur in the summer or hearings that extend into the summer are held during the fall semester unless the student requests that the hearing takes place during the summer. The hearing panel will consist of the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board and three individuals designated by the Provost.
The student has the right to work with an advisor throughout the process. An advisor is not permitted to directly address the Academic Integrity Review Board members and may not participate directly in any meeting. When the accused student’s advisor is an attorney, the University may also have legal counsel present. If a student needs assistance locating an advisor, the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board can provide a list of people who can serve in that capacity.
The hearing will be closed and not recorded. The hearings can be either in-person or online. In addition to the Academic Integrity Review Board, the following individuals may attend
- Faculty member and advisor
- Student and an advisor
- Any witnesses to the allegation
The Academic Integrity Review Board will determine whether the student is responsible or not responsible for violating the academic integrity policy. Within 3 business days, the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will notify the student of the results of the hearing. If the student is found responsible, the Board will determine the sanctions which include those identified by the faculty member. In the event a student has prior academic integrity violation(s), the Board may impose additional or more severe sanctions.
Based on the severity of the incident and the history of violations by the individual student, sanctions imposed by the Academic Integrity Review Board can range from the faculty member's sanction to suspension or dismissal from Fitchburg State University.
The Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will send a letter to the student and faculty explaining the Academic Integrity Review Board’s ruling as to whether the student violated the academic integrity policy. If there is a violation of the academic integrity policy, the letter will also include any sanctions or revised sanctions. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Academic Conduct Record. All decisions made by the Academic Integrity Review Board are final. The student’s academic advisor will be notified if multiple violations have occurred and if alternative disciplinary actions such as suspension or dismissal are imposed.
A student who is withdrawn from a course or the university as a result of an academic integrity violation may be ineligible to receive a reduction of charges for tuition, fees and/or room and meal plan/food. Requests for refunds align with the university’s Refund Policies for Tuition and Fees.
Academic Integrity Tiered Violations, Interventions and Sanctions
Academic integrity violations vary. This document offers suggestions to faculty members and the Academic Integrity Review Board on interventions and sanctions based on the severity of the incident and the history of violations by the individual student. The violations are split into four Tiers: Tier 1 is the mildest form of violation and Tier 4 is the most serious violation. While it is not possible to have an exhaustive list of all possible violations or sanctions, the sanctions may be guided by the severity of the violations as illustrated in the tables below. The severity of the sanction may be dependent on several factors including the student’s year in college, whether the student is an undergraduate or graduate student and the type of assignment (3-page paper vs. Honors thesis). In most cases, if the sanction falls within what is listed in the syllabus, course documents or written communication, the sanction stands.
Prior to issuing a sanction, a faculty member may consult with their department chair, dean or chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board.
A student reserves the right to consult with an advisor (see definition in glossary) or the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board when deciding whether to appeal a sanction.
| Description | A Tier 1 Academic Integrity violation occurs when a student’s act (1) appears unintentional, or (2) can be reasonably attributed to a lack of understanding of academic conventions or the faculty member’s expectations, or (3) is considered minor or developmental in nature. The faculty member can decide whether multiple Tier 1 violations within an assignment or across assignments in their course will be treated as a Tier 2 violation. |
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| Examples |
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| Possible Outcomes |
Tier 1 cases are kept in the Academic Conduct Record. |
| Description | A Tier 2 Academic Integrity violation occurs when a student’s act (1) is intentional and the student can reasonably be expected to be aware that the act violated the Student Academic Integrity Policy, or (2) if the student has committed prior Tier 1 violations in the course and the faculty member decides that the repeated incidents constitute a Tier 2 violation. |
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| Examples |
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| Possible Outcomes |
Tier 2 cases are kept in the Academic Conduct Record. |
| Description | A Tier 3 violation occurs when (1) a student’s act of academic dishonesty is intentional and egregious, OR (2) the student has TWO prior Tier 2 findings, OR (3) ONE other prior Tier 3 finding of academic integrity violations. |
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| Examples |
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| Possible Outcomes |
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| Description |
A Tier 4 violation occurs when (1) a student has three or more prior recorded Tier 2 violations OR (2) TWO prior Tier 3 violations OR (3) when the student’s act of academic dishonesty is so severe or egregious that it warrants a suspension, dismissal or other disciplinary actions of the highest severity. All Tier 4 violations are referred to, and decided by, the Academic Integrity Review Board. |
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| Examples |
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| Possible Outcomes |
Tier 4 Violations should automatically be referred to the Academic Integrity Review Board.
Tier 4 violations are kept in the Academic Conduct Record. |
Academic Integrity Review Board
Charge, Makeup, and Responsibilities
The purpose of the Academic Integrity Review Board is to adjudicate allegations of academic integrity violations. This would be an official ongoing committee.
Academic integrity violations are academic issues. Currently academic integrity cases are decided within Student Affairs as a conduct issue. The Academic Integrity Review Board will move the adjudication process from Student Affairs to Academic Affairs with decision-making residing with faculty and students.
Academic integrity violations directly impact the pursuit of knowledge and academic achievement. Placing the appeals process within Academic Affairs allows for faculty expertise and subject-matter understanding to be central to the adjudication process. It also reinforces the concept that academic integrity is intrinsically linked to the curriculum and the assessment of learning.
Including students on the board’s makeup fosters a sense of shared responsibility and promotes peer accountability within the academic community. Student perspectives offer valuable insights into the context of alleged violations. Their participation also cultivates a deeper understanding of academic integrity principles among the student body.
The Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will be an administrator from Academic Affairs appointed by the Provost. In the absence of the Chair, the Provost may designate another individual to serve in their stead.
The Board will consist of up to 13 faculty/librarians appointed per the MSCA contract, with a preferred representation as follows:
- Three faculty from the School of Arts and Sciences
- Three faculty from School of Health and Natural Sciences
- Two faculty from the School of Education
- Two faculty from the School of Business and Technology
- Two full-time faculty who teach in the School of Graduate, Online, and Continuing Education and
- One librarian
This committee will be appointed by the MSCA Chapter President per the contract on a staggered appointment and up to 10 students will be selected annually through an application and review process with the opportunity to continue their appointment upon approval by the Chair. Student representation on the committee will include undergraduate and graduate students.
Committee membership appointments are for two years. To establish a staggered appointment schedule, the make-up of the board for the first year would consist of 7 faculty/librarians on a 1-year appointment, and 6 faculty/librarians on a 2-year appointment.
Although the Board is large, members would likely be asked to serve on a hearing panel a few times a year. Each case would be heard by the Chair (non-voting ex-officio), two faculty/librarian members and one student. Cases involving undergraduate students will have an undergraduate student serving as the student member of the board. In cases involving a graduate student, a graduate student will serve as the student member of the board.
The Chair will select faculty/librarians and students on the Review Board who do not have a conflict of interest in the case to serve on the hearing panel. To avoid conflict of interests, the Chair will not select faculty from the department in which the alleged violation occurred or the student’s home department. Upon being asked to serve on a specific case, Faculty/Librarians and students should alert the Chair of any conflicts they have that might not be evident to the Chair. The student with the alleged violation will have an opportunity to review the make-up of the hearing panel and can request a substitution of one member if a substitute is available.
Because academic integrity violations and cases occur throughout the academic year, including summer, appointments to the committee will be done at the end of the prior academic year. Appointments will run through September 1 through May 31.
Hearings for alleged violations that occur in the summer or hearings that extend into the summer are held during the fall semester unless the student requests that the hearing takes place during the summer. The hearing panel will consist of the Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board and three individuals designated by the Provost.
The Chair of the Academic Integrity Review Board will be an administrator from Academic Affairs. The Chair will have the following responsibilities:
Case Management:
- Oversee the intake, review, and scheduling of alleged academic integrity violations appeals.
- Determine whether an allegation of appeal will move forward to the Academic Integrity Review Board. Examples of cases that may not move forward if allegations are not submitted within a timely manner and student appeals of the sanctions that align with what is contained within the faculty syllabi.
- Ensure timely and thorough investigations are conducted.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of all cases.
Board Leadership:
- Preside over Review Board meetings.
- Facilitate productive discussions and guide the Board towards informed decisions.
- Ensure adherence to due process and procedural fairness.
Adjudication and Decision-Making:
- Lead the Board in reviewing evidence and determining responsibility for alleged violations.
- Ensure consistent application of sanctions.
Notification and Record Keeping:
- Within three business days of the hearing, prepare and submit official notification letters to students, faculty, and other relevant parties regarding the Board's decisions.
- In conjunction with the Registrar’s office, maintain the Academic Conduct Record of academic integrity violations.
- Monitor the Academic Conduct Record for repeat violations, and convene the Board to apply additional or more severe sanctions.
Training and Education:
- Provide training and guidance to Review Board members on academic integrity policies and procedures.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to promote a culture of academic integrity across the institution.
- Participate in educational initiatives for students regarding academic integrity.
Policy and Procedure Oversight:
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing academic integrity policies and procedures.
- Recommend revisions and updates as needed to ensure fairness and consistency.
- Serve as the point of contact between the board and the academic administration.