Purpose:

NDSU Policy 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct establishes the fundamental principles of academic honesty and integrity at North Dakota State University (NDSU), fostering an atmosphere of honesty, trust, and integrity among students, faculty, and staff.

Scope:

This policy applies to all students, faculty, and staff of North Dakota State University.

Policy Statement:

With reference to Policy 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct, NDSU is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity. Students are expected to submit their own work and to adhere to ethical standards in all academic endeavors. Faculty members are responsible for establishing and communicating clear guidelines concerning academic honesty and expectations within their courses. 

Principles:

• Integrity: All members of the NDSU community are expected to act with honesty and integrity in all academic pursuits.
• Responsibility: Students are responsible for their own academic work and for understanding and adhering to the principles of academic honesty. Faculty members are responsible for fostering a culture of academic integrity and for addressing instances of academic misconduct.
• Fairness: Students have the right to be informed when they are suspected of violating academic principles and have the right to a fair opportunity to respond.

Responsibilities:

• Students:
  • To submit their own original work.
  • To avoid plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty.
  • To cooperate honestly in all academic activities.
  • To report suspected instances of academic misconduct.
• Faculty:
  • To establish and communicate clear guidelines concerning academic honesty and expectations.
  • To address suspected instances of academic misconduct in a fair and timely manner.
  • To report incidents of academic misconduct in accordance with established procedures.

Disciplinary Procedures:

• Faculty members have the prerogative to determine the penalty for prohibited academic conduct within their classes, including but not limited to failing grades for assignments, tests, or courses.
• Faculty members suspecting academic misconduct must issue an "IP" grade by contacting Registration and Records while conducting an investigation.
• Students may not drop a course in which they are formally accused of academic misconduct.
• Students found guilty of academic misconduct are prohibited from forfeiting, withdrawing, or dropping the associated course.
• Faculty must report instances of academic misconduct using the Student Academic Misconduct Report eForm found in Campus Connection.
• Repeat offenses may result in higher sanctions, including suspension or expulsion, as recommended to the Provost and Committee on Academic Standards.

Resources:

The Honesty and Integrity website details information regarding NDSU's academic honesty and integrity, student expectations, disciplinary sanctions, appeal procedures, and hearing guidelines. NDSU Policy 335: Code of Academic Responsibility and Conduct applies to cases in which cheating, plagiarism, or other academic misconduct have occurred in an institutional context and NDSU Policy 326: Academic Misconduct defines various academic misconduct situations.

Authority:

This policy is authorized by the Office of the Provost and is reviewed periodically to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.