Introduction and Definitions
The Newberrian Creed calls for honesty in one’s social and academic life and applies to all students of Newberry College. Academic integrity is important for:
STUDENTS: Students invest time, energy, and money in their future. Maintaining integrity in their academic work ensures that they develop the skills and knowledge they need and that their degree is reflective of their personal academic achievements.
NEWBERRY COLLEGE: Academic honesty is integral to the Newberry College mission to nurture lifelong intellectual and personal development through a supportive academic community.
EMPLOYERS: Today’s employers expect that college graduates will be able to solve complex problems, think critically, and demonstrate consistent, ethical decision-making skills. Learning and applying these skills in a supportive academic community prepares students for a successful, meaningful future.
Academic dishonesty takes many forms. The Newberrian Creed is intended to create a community that discourages all forms of academic dishonesty. The following examples, though not exhaustive, illustrate the types of conduct that violate the Creed.
CHEATING: Using unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise
Copying from another student’s work on any academic assignment or exam
Using notes or books during an exam without permission
Obtaining access to the contents of an exam or the purchase, sale, or theft of unauthorized material before or during an exam
COLLUSION: Working with others on assignments, projects, or exams without explicit permission of the instructor
PLAGIARISM: Representing the words, ideas, or work of another as one’s own in any academic exercise
Copying text, images, or data from a source without proper citation
Paraphrasing someone else’s work without acknowledgement
Submitting the same work for multiple assignments without permission from all instructors involved
FABRICATION: Unauthorized invention or falsification of information or citations in one’s academic work
Creating fake data or results for research projects
Altering data to fit expected outcomes
Citing sources that do not exist or were not used
NOTE that generative AI tools like ChatGPT typically use fake or unverifiable sources
DECEPTION: Providing false information or fabricating excuses to improve one’s grade or helping another person lie to preserve or improve their own grade
Lying about reasons for missing a class, exam, or assignment deadline
Forging signatures or documents
IMPROPER USE OF TECHNOLOGY: Using technology inappropriately to gain academic advantage
Using electronic devices to access unauthorized information during an exam
Altering or manipulating academic records or files
IMPROPER USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Using AI tools to complete assignments, generate content, or perform tasks without explicit permission from the instructor
Submitting AI-generated essays or projects as one’s own work
Using AI to bypass plagiarism detection tools
Employing AI to conduct research or solve problems without disclosure
Employing AI to rewrite, revise, or correct one’s work
Whenever a student is uncertain as to whether conduct would violate the Creed, it is the responsibility of the student to seek clarification from the appropriate faculty member or instructor of record prior to engaging in such conduct.
Procedures for Resolving Allegations of Academic Dishonesty
1. Academic Resolution
If the instructor of record determines that a student has been dishonest in their academic work, the instructor must notify the student in writing within three (3) business days of discovery and complete the Academic Integrity Incident Report in Wolf Den after meeting with the student. The instructor must provide evidence to support the allegations in the report.
The student must meet with the instructor in person or virtually to discuss the alleged violation within three (3) business days of receiving the written notification. Both the student and instructor are permitted to have a witness to the conversation present. Failure of the student to meet will be regarded as an implicit acceptance of responsibility and the penalty assigned by the instructor will stand.
The conversation can result in two possible outcomes:
Student accepts responsibility for the violation: If the student accepts responsibility, the instructor’s options include, but are not limited to 1) a grade of “F” for the assignment on which the violation occurred, 2) a grade of “F” for the course, 3) an ungraded assignment that directly addresses the violation and in which the student admits responsibility, 4) a reasonable penalty commensurate with the violation. The student will receive a letter from the Office of Academic Affairs noting the violation and resolution. If the student accepts responsibility, they waive the right to appeal the instructor’s sanction and the issue will be considered resolved.
Student does not accept responsibility for the violation: If the student does not accept responsibility, the instructor will assign a grade penalty that will 1) remain in place until the issue is fully resolved and/or 2) be the final resolution of the issue. The student will receive a letter from the Office of Academic Affairs noting the violation, grade penalty, and the appeal process.
In the case of an alleged violation that significantly impacts a student’s final grade, the instructor can assign an Incomplete (I) grade that will remain in place until the issue is resolved. Graduating seniors will receive priority in resolving final grades. An Incomplete grade must be resolved before the student can receive their diploma.
2. Appeals
If the student contests the alleged violation and/or the grade penalty imposed by the instructor, the student has two options for appeal. The student must choose one option and submit the written appeal within three (3) business days of meeting with the course instructor.
OPTION 1: INFORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
The student may appeal to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for an informal administrative review of evidence. The purpose of the informal administrative review is to resolve the allegations without a formal hearing.
The detailed appeal must be made for one or all of the following reasons:
New evidence not available to the instructor at the time of the sanction that would significantly impact the instructor’s decision.
The grade penalty is inappropriate or too harsh in relation to the violation.
The instructor demonstrates bias that influences their impartiality in assigning the grade penalty.
The student is required to meet in person or virtually with the AVPAA to discuss the appeal. In the event the student fails to meet, the AVPAA will make a decision based on information available at the time of the scheduled meeting. The possible outcomes are:
Responsible: The AVPAA finds, based on the evidence, that it is more likely than not (51% or more) that a violation occurred.
Not Responsible: There is insufficient evidence to determine that the accused is responsible.
The AVPAA reserves the right to assign additional, non-academic sanctions.
The decision of the AVPAA is final. [Note the option to appeal in the case of subsequent violations below.]
OPTION 2: FORMAL HEARING
The student may appeal to the Newberry College Judicial Council (NCJC) or designees for a formal hearing. The NCJC consists of students, faculty, and staff, chosen at the discretion of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (faculty members will always be present at a hearing for an academic issue).
The detailed appeal must be made for one or all of the following reasons:
New evidence not available to the instructor at the time of the sanction that would significantly impact the instructor’s decision.
The grade penalty is inappropriate or too harsh in relation to the violation.
The instructor demonstrates bias that influences their impartiality in assigning the grade penalty.
Formal hearing procedures and student rights are located in the Newberry College Student Code of Conduct. If the student fails to appear at the formal hearing, the NCJC or designees will make a decision based on information available at the time of the hearing.
The hearing panel will base their determinations of responsibility solely on the information presented during the hearing, applying the preponderance of the evidence standard. The possible outcomes are:
Responsible: The NCJC finds, based on the evidence, that it is more likely than not (51% or more) that a violation occurred.
Not Responsible: There is insufficient evidence to determine that the accused is responsible.
A “responsible” finding by the hearing panel may include additional sanctions.
The hearing panel decision is final.
For both appeal options, the student will receive a notification of the outcome. All documents related to the violation will be retained in the student’s disciplinary record for a length of time specified by the type of sanction (see the Newberry College Student Code of Conduct).
3. A list of possible sanctions, aside from grade penalties, can be found in the Newberry College Student Code of Conduct.
4. SUBSEQUENT VIOLATIONS
If the student is reported for a second or subsequent academic integrity violation and has been found responsible for a previous violation, through admitting responsibility or through an appeal, they will lose the option of accepting an Academic Resolution from the instructor and will proceed immediately to the Informal Administrative Review. If they are unsatisfied with the outcome of the Informal Administrative Review, the student may appeal to the Newberry College Judicial Council. All decisions of the NCJC are final.
Beyond the first violation, students are subject to more severe sanctions, including suspension and/or expulsion from Newberry College.