Academic Integrity Policy

Policy overview

1 Purpose

To articulate the University's expectations for maintaining principles of Academic Integrity and honesty and provide a framework for dealing with allegations of Academic Misconduct committed by Students. Allegations of Employee Academic Misconduct would be managed in accordance with the Disciplinary Action for Misconduct or Serious Misconduct Procedure, or relevant employment contract.

2 Scope

This policy applies to the maintenance of Academic Integrity and honesty by all Students.

3 Policy Statement

The University is committed to maintaining high academic standards and considers respect for and commitment to Academic Integrity and honesty to be the responsibility of all staff and Students of the University.

4 Principles

Students will commit to engage in behaviour that is consistent with the University's values of integrity and honesty in academic endeavours particularly when undertaking Assessment.

The University considers behaviour by Students, which does not uphold the principles of Academic Integrity and honesty and that misrepresents their academic achievement, to be Academic Misconduct.

The University will deal appropriately, consistently and fairly with allegations and substantiated cases of Academic Misconduct.

Students who are alleged to have engaged in Academic Misconduct will be subject to a process of investigation and, if the allegation is upheld, may be subject to the imposition of remedial actions or penalties, which the University will specify in accordance with the severity of the misconduct and number of repeat offences.

Students under investigation for Student Academic Misconduct will not be eligible to graduate until the matter is resolved.

The University will focus on deterring Academic Misconduct. The University will inform students of the need for Academic Integrity and honesty; help them identify appropriate practices; and adopt approaches to prevent Academic Misconduct.

5 References

Nil.

6 Schedules

This policy must be read in conjunction with its subordinate schedules as provided in the table below.

7 Policy Information

Accountable Officer

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic)

Responsible Officer

Executive Deans (BELA/HES)

Policy Type

Academic Quality Policy

Policy Suite

Academic Integrity Procedure

Academic Integrity Procedure Penalty Schedule

Subordinate Schedules

Approved Date

23/5/2019

Effective Date

23/5/2019

Review Date

28/3/2017

Relevant Legislation

Related Policies

Assessment Policy

Research Code of Conduct Policy

Student Code of Conduct Policy

Student Expectations and Responsibilities Policy

Related Procedures

Assessment Procedure

Disciplinary Action for Misconduct or Serious Misconduct Procedure

Related forms, publications and websites

Definitions

Terms defined in the Definitions Dictionary

Academic Integrity

The pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, fair, honest, respectful and responsible manner. Academic Integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others....moreThe pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, fair, honest, respectful and responsible manner. Academic Integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct means all actions, or attempts to do actions, whether intentional or unintentional, which: breach Academic Integrity; undermine the core values of Academic Integrity; or fail to meet the standards of Academic Integrity. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to: misrepresenting, fabricating or falsifying, acquiring, accessing or purchasing, providing or making...moreAcademic Misconduct means all actions, or attempts to do actions, whether intentional or unintentional, which: breach Academic Integrity; undermine the core values of Academic Integrity; or fail to meet the standards of Academic Integrity. Academic Misconduct includes, but is not limited to: misrepresenting, fabricating or falsifying, acquiring, accessing or purchasing, providing or making available, or using, information, materials, services or equipment that results in obtaining, or is likely to have the effect of obtaining, for oneself or any other person, an unauthorised academic advantage relative to other Students with regard to a Formal Examination, work placement or other Assessment work; failing to comply with examination or assessment rules or directions; or inappropriate collaboration or Collusion; Plagiarism or knowingly enabling another Student to plagiarise their work; cheating and contract cheating; impersonation of a Student or University Employee or allowing oneself to be impersonated in order to gain an unauthorised academic advantage relative to other Students. Specific examples of Academic Misconduct include, but are not limited to: submitting Assessment work that has previously been assessed and counted towards completion of another Course; tampering, or attempting to tamper, with Examination scripts, class work, grades or class records; use of a document, required of the Student by the University (e.g. medical certificate or other supporting documentation), that has been falsified or altered and which results in an unauthorised academic advantage; falsely representing the contribution made by an individual Student to group Assessment work.

Assessment

The process of evaluating the extent to which Students have achieved the objectives of a Course....moreThe process of evaluating the extent to which Students have achieved the objectives of a Course.

Student

A person who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled....moreA person who is admitted to an Award Program or Non-Award Program offered by the University and is: currently enrolled in one or more Courses or study units; or not currently enrolled but is on an approved Leave of Absence or whose admission has not been cancelled.

University

The term 'University' or 'USQ' means the University of Southern Queensland....moreThe term 'University' or 'USQ' means the University of Southern Queensland.

Definitions that relate to this policy only

Keywords

Record No

13/752PL

Complying with the law and observing Policy and Procedure is a condition of working and/or studying at the University.

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