Code of Student Academic Integrity
Summary
Academic integrity standards are the subject of University Policy 407: Code of Student Academic Integrity. The policy outlines prohibited behaviors, procedures for addressing suspected Academic Misconduct, possible sanction(s)/outcome(s), and the appeal procedures. Students and faculty members are expected to be familiar with the provisions of this policy.
The University recognizes that Academic Misconduct detracts from the value of a UNC Charlotte degree and has influence beyond the University community, including relationships with employers, other educational institutions, the business community, the UNC System, and the community at large.
The purpose of the Code of Student Academic Integrity (the Code) is to:
- support and promote an ethical learning environment;
- create consistent standards for all members of the academic community;
- assist Students in taking responsibility for one’s own academic work;
- protect the integrity of the academic environment of the University community; and
- clarify Student values and how they relate to appropriate academic conduct.
The current version of the Code of Student Academic Integrity is available online. Click here for a pdf version.
Standard of Proof
For a student to be found responsible for Academic Misconduct under the Code, the information must establish that the student is responsible for academic misconduct by a preponderance of the evidence—that it is more likely than not that the student engaged in academic misconduct as charged. This determination must be based solely on the information presented, which may include, but is not limited to, pertinent records (e.g., assignment, syllabi), exhibits (e.g., photographs, audio/video information, social media information), and written/oral statements.
A Student is presumed not responsible for a violation of policy until determined otherwise through the Academic Misconduct Procedures.
Authority and Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction under the Code may be exercised with respect to all academic work, whether in the classroom, online, through distance education, or in-person. Academic work subject to the Code may be either inside or outside the context of an academic course, including in the preparation of materials submitted as a program or degree requirement or other non-course-related academic contexts.
All procedural and interpretive questions concerning the Code will be resolved by the Director of Student Accountability & Conflict Resolution, in consultation with the Academic Integrity Board Chair. This includes, but is not limited to, whether a case is continued to be pursued under the Code. When necessary, Academic Misconduct procedures may be altered to protect the University community, property, or resources.
Academic work that is submitted in a grant application or for publication, or in the case of a thesis or dissertation, submitted to ProQuest (or the University’s then current dissertation database), falls under the jurisdiction of the Research Misconduct process. Prior to initiating an Academic Misconduct case in which research integrity might be implicated, the Research Integrity Officer and the Chair should discuss the case and make a mutual determination about the appropriate process to be applied. See University Policy 309, Responding to Allegations of Misconduct in Research and Scholarship.
Responsibilities
Faculty Member Responsibilities
Faculty Members are responsible for the academic instruction and evaluation methods for all academic exercises. As such, Faculty Members should ensure, to the best of their ability, that all work submitted by Students is consistent with academic standards, including being free from the adverse impacts of Academic Misconduct. To that end, Faculty Members are obligated to:
- Publish, review, and enforce their expectations for academic conduct in course work, including written syllabus policy notices and/or written notices on exams and assignments.
- If the Faculty Member suspects that Academic Misconduct has occurred and determines that the information is sufficient to warrant an adjudication, report all such cases of suspected Academic Misconduct using the appropriate method outlined in the Code of Student Academic Integrity so a central record may be kept.
- Faculty are expected to participate as needed in the adjudication of the suspected Academic Misconduct.
- Engage mechanisms that discourage Academic Misconduct, such as exam monitoring, online submission of materials, etc.
Student Responsibilities
Students are integral members of the academic community and are responsible for their academic work, abiding by the Code, and will be held responsible for their Academic Misconduct. As responsible members of the University community, Students are expected to:
- Review and abide by expectations set forth by the Faculty Member for academic conduct in course work, including syllabus policy notices and/or notices on exams and assignments;
- Seek clarification from a Faculty Member regarding expectations related to academic work; and
- Take an active role in encouraging other members of the academic community to respect the standards set forth in the Code. Should a Student suspect Academic Misconduct, they should make the suspicion known to the Faculty Member or Director.