__________________________________________ June 24, 2004 EXECUTIVE MEMORANDUM 04-36 Revised 10/18/07 __________________________________________

On the recommendation of the Academic Senate and the concurrence of the Provost, I approve EM 04-36 for immediate implementation.

Précis
The students, faculty, and staff of California State University, Chico (CSU, Chico) are committed to a campus culture that fosters excellence in learning. Excellence in learning can only take place in an environment based on academic integrity and honesty. The long-term value of a degree from CSU, Chico depends on all members of the campus community participating actively in the creation and maintenance of a campus culture that cherishes such academic honesty and integrity.

Because technology has made plagiarism and academic cheating much easier for the average student than ever before, there is a growing consensus in academia that the challenge to academic honesty and integrity posed by these new technologies must be met with a proactive, unified, and concerted effort. This document addresses this challenge at CSU, Chico by focusing student, staff, and faculty discourse on the issues of academic honesty and integrity. It provides a more explicit and public definition of expectations regarding academic honesty and integrity, so all students may have an equal opportunity for academic success without violating the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure.

Objectives
The policies and procedures focus on academic honesty and integrity in order to emphasize its role in a high-quality learning environment. As such, these policies and procedures support the University’s number one Strategic Priority: “Believing in the primacy of student learning, we will continue to develop high quality learning environments both in and outside the classroom. ” This priority focuses on education as a way of life and in so doing, encourages “opportunities for intellectual, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical growth. ” Academic ethics are a fundamental prerequisite of education.
The intent of this Policy is to

• establish university-wide definitions of cheating, misuse of sources, and plagiarism;
• implement an academic integrity statement;
• define the responsibilities of the stake holders;
• describe guidelines for reporting misconduct;
• affirm due process; and
• maintain our commitment to the AAUP Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure.

This policy conforms to Executive Memorandum 96-38, Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures (FPPP).

I. Definitions

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is defined as "a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals to action. "

Center for Academic Integrity. “Fundamental Values Project. ” 23 March 2004 http://www.academicintegrity.org/fundamental_values_project/index.php

Cheating

Cheating is intentional fraud or deception for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit and includes all behavior intended to gain unearned academic advantage. Cheating includes either helping or attempting to help another person cheat.

Adapted from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs at California State University, Chico. “Cheating, an Ounce of Prevention. ”

Misuse of Sources

Misuse of sources is defined as “carelessly or inadequately citing ideas and words borrowed from another source. [ . . . ] Ethical writers make every effort to acknowledge sources fully and appropriately in accordance with the contexts and genres of their writing. A student who attempts (even if clumsily) to identify and credit his or her source, but who misuses a specific citation format or incorrectly uses quotation marks or other forms of identifying material taken from other sources has not plagiarized. Instead, such a student [has] failed to cite and document sources appropriately. ”

Council of Writing Program Administrators. "Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism: The WPA Statement on Best Practices. " WPA Position Statements and Resolutions Jan. 2003. 12 Feb. 2004 http://www.wpacouncil.org/positions/WPAplagiarism.pdf .

Plagiarism

“Plagiarism occurs when a [student] deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source. ”

Council of Writing Program Administrators. "Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism: The WPA Statement on Best Practices. " WPA Position Statements and Resolutions Jan. 2003. 12 Feb. 2004 http://www.wpacouncil.org/positions/WPAplagiarism.pdf .

II. Academic Integrity Statement

California State University, Chico is committed to a campus culture that takes pride in fostering an environment of academic integrity, academic freedom, and high-quality learning environments. These efforts will be guided by the following statement:

“ The students, faculty, administrators, and staff of CSU, Chico are committed to a culture of honesty in which members of the community accept responsibility to uphold academic integrity in all they say, write, and create. ”

This statement may be placed on university publications and websites. Faculty are encouraged to use this statement on their syllabi and other course material.

III. Academic Integrity Responsibilities

The long-term value of the CSU, Chico degree is dependent upon all members of the campus community taking part in creating a culture of academic integrity. This responsibility is borne jointly by students, faculty, and administrators and staff members.

A. Responsibilities of Students

Students share with faculty and administrators and staff members the responsibility for academic integrity. The following recommendations are made for students to achieve a campus culture of academic integrity at CSU, Chico.

1. Know and understand the university’s policies on cheating and plagiarism.
2. Understand the definitions of cheating, plagiarism, and misuse of sources.
3. Acknowledge the Academic Integrity statement at the time of registration.
4. Bear full responsibility for the content and integrity of all academic work submitted.
5. Understand individual instructors’ expectations regarding group work, collaboration, and use of materials prepared for more than one class. Students who are unclear about a specific situation should ask their instructors.
6. Uphold the academic standards of the University. Ignorance of a rule does not constitute a basis for waiving the rule or for avoiding the consequences of breaking that rule.
7. Report possible instances of cheating to the instructor or department office.

B. Responsibilities of Faculty Members

Faculty members share with students and administrators and staff members the responsibility for academic integrity. The following recommendations are made for faculty members to achieve a campus culture of academic integrity at CSU, Chico.

1. Set high expectations for academic integrity in the classroom by modeling good behavior of academic integrity through syllabi and lectures.
2. Encourage academic honesty by emphasizing university policy and any additional, course-specific policies on Academic Integrity in their syllabi.
3. Communicate clear expectations regarding group work, collaboration, and use of materials prepared for more than one class.
4. Teach discipline-specific writing and documentation style, or inform students where they can go for such instruction. Use instances of misuse of sources as teaching opportunities to educate and inform students about plagiarism and proper citation practice.
5. Encourage academic honesty by appropriate means such as adopting a variety of examination and assignment formats and/or content and by monitoring exams.
6. Report significant instances of suspected academic dishonesty to the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. Consistent reporting by faculty to this central office is essential for fair and impartial administration of student discipline campus wide. (See IV below. )
7. Impose appropriate academic sanctions for violations, which may range from assigning a zero or “F” grade on an assignment to an “F” in the course. Other administrative sanctions maybe imposed by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs (see IV-D below).

C. Responsibilities of Administrators and Staff Members

Administrators and staff members share with students and faculty the responsibility for academic integrity. The following recommendations are made for administrators and staff members to achieve a campus culture of academic integrity at CSU, Chico.

1. Set high standards of professional ethics.
2. Support instructor efforts to set high standards for academic integrity in the classroom.
3. Support the Office of Student Judicial Affairs in their campuswide academic integrity efforts.
4. Promote and publicize Academic Integrity policy and procedures.
5. Support faculty in the reporting process.
6. Provide a clear and consistent voice to the campus community that promotes high standards.
7. Orient new faculty, staff, and students about the University’s Academic Integrity policies and procedures.
8. Report possible instances of cheating to the instructor or department office.
9. In addition to academic consequences that faculty may impose, the University may impose administrative sanctions. Pursuant to Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 41301, cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program or campus may warrant
   • Expulsion
   • Suspension
   • Probation
   • Withdrawal of a degree

IV. Reporting Academic Misconduct

It is in the best interest of the campus community that faculty members uphold the principles and practices of academic integrity. While faculty members are responsible for imposing academic grading sanctions, it is the responsibility of the Office of Student Judicial Affairs (SJA) to impose administrative sanctions. Faculty members should report significant instances of suspected academic dishonesty to SJA. Consistent reporting by faculty, and centralization of responsibility and record keeping by SJA, are necessary for fair and impartial administration of student discipline campuswide. Reporting is essential to ensure that repeat offenders are dealt with accordingly. Faculty members who refer cases to the SJA can be informed of the resolution of that case.

V. Due Process

In dealing with academic integrity issues, it is incumbent upon the academic community that all of its members are assured of fair and equitable treatment. Additional information may be provided by or found in

• Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (EM 96-38)
• Office of Student Judicial Affairs
• Faculty Personnel Policies and Procedures (FPPP)
• Executive Order 628, CSU System Policies and Regulations.
• Title 5, California Code of Regulations, in particular, section 41301: Student Disciplinary Procedures for the California State University

Any unlawful threats, acts of retaliation, or false accusations against any member of the faculty, staff, or students will be cause for disciplinary action under section 41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, in addition to civil and criminal liabilities.

Council for Promoting Academic Integrity

The Council for Promoting Academic Integrity (CPAI) exists for the purpose of assisting in the promotion of academic integrity. CPAI will not participate in direct policy making or the adjudication of academic dishonesty cases. It will report to the Academic Senate through the Educational Programs and Policies Committee (EPPC) and to the Associated Students.

I. Duties and Goals

Duties and goals of the CPAI are as follows:

1. Assist in the development of promotional programs and presentations to both students and faculty about the university’s Academic Integrity policies and principles.
2. Provide written and verbal reports to both the EPPC and the Associated Students Government Affairs Committee at the end of each academic year.
3. Act as a recommending body to forward issues and concerns to the appropriate bodies.

II. Membership and Terms of Office

Members shall serve for two-year staggered terms starting in fall 2004. There shall be 15 voting members and 2 non-voting members as listed below:

1. Six students at large as follows:
   
   1. Two appointed by the Office of Student Judicial Affairs
   2. Four appointed by the Associated Students’ President and Director of University Affairs
      
      
2. Six faculty representatives as follows:
   1. Four appointed by the Chair of the Academic Senate with EPPC and FASP making recommendations
   2. Two appointed from the Graduate Coordinating Committee by the Dean of Graduate Programs
      
3. AS Director of University Affairs (ex officio)
4. Director of Student Judicial Affairs (ex officio)
5. Coordinator of University Student Discipline for Student Judicial Affairs (ex officio)
6. Representative of the Provost or designee (non-voting)
7. Representative from Staff Council (non-voting)

III. Chair & Co-Chair

1. The chair of the Council shall be a faculty member appointed to a one-year term from the Committee’s Membership by the Academic Senate Chair (or his/her designee).
   
   1. The duties of the Chair shall be
      a. To convene the Council;
      b. To set agenda, in consultation with the co-chair;
      c. To preside over committee meetings;
      d. To invite other members of the university community to Council meetings for presentations or discussions;
      e. To report to the Academic Senate and the Associated Students at the end of each academic year
      
      
2. The co-chair of the Council shall be the AS Director of University Affairs (or his/her designee
   1. The duties of the Chair shall be

   a. To set agenda, in consultation with the Chair
   b. To fulfill the duties of Chair when requested
   c. To report to the Academic Senate and the Associated Students at the end of each academic year.