Some students may choose not to report other students whom they witness cheating. In still other cases, faculty may ignore cheating out of reluctance to become involved in what they view as a time-consuming and adversarial process. Some faculty may choose to resolve incidents through an informal process, without resort to the faculty-approved policy on Academic Integrity. In extended discussions with selected faculty and students who have expressed dissatisfaction with the Academic Integrity Process, some have remarked that the process is confusing. Others indicated that they did not feel well prepared for hearings.
Faculty members play a vital role in creating a positive climate for academic integrity.
Discussing the Academic Integrity Policy and faculty expectations in the first class each semester. Acting under the faculty-approved Academic Integrity Policy against all violations. Acting under the faculty-approved policy insures that students found responsible are held accountable for their offense. Such action also helps to protect faculty members from allegations by an accused student of unfair grading incurred in any informal settlement. The following actions are being undertaken by the Office of Student Conduct within Student Affairs to improve the climate for academic integrity as well as the processes by which suspected offenses are resolved.