Summary of Academic Honesty Policies

NOTE: The information in this summary applies to the policies and procedures described in the general academic honesty policy. It does not apply to courses/programs within the Health Professions professional curriculum (OT, PT, PA, Pharm D). Acts of academic dishonesty in those courses/programs fall under the Interim Health Professions Academic Honesty policy (HPAHP). Detailed information about the Interim Health Professions Academic Honesty policy is available here.

A.  Purpose of Policy

The pursuit of knowledge can only take place in an atmosphere of honesty, integrity and mutual trust. In order to create and preserve such an atmosphere, and to protect the validity of the work product of honest students, the faculty, students and administration must be committed to a policy that regards the highest degree of academic honesty as the norm and does not tolerate acts of dishonesty.

B.  Composition of the Academic Honesty Board

The Academic Honesty Board (AHB or Board) is composed of seventeen (17) members. In addition to the chairperson, the Board consists of eight (8) students [two (2) from each school – College of Arts & Sciences, the Haub School of Business, University College and Graduate Programs] and eight (8) faculty [two (2) each from the Haub School of Business, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences/math].

C.  Acts of Dishonesty

Acts of dishonesty can arise in two (2) settings: 1) in formal courses, and 2) outside formal courses. Examples of dishonest acts include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.  In Formal Courses

  • Cheating on tests, quizzes, reports, papers, assignments, etc.
  • Unauthorized collaboration
  • Fabricating or falsifying sources for papers and reports, or data and results for lab reports
  • Submitting the same paper or report in more than one (1) course without permission
  • Plagiarism – i.e. using information, ideas or language of another without proper citation, attribution, or acknowledgment of its source
  • Soliciting an act of dishonesty

2.  Outside Formal Courses

  • Using false identification
  • Altering or falsifying official University records
  • Using academic facilities or equipment without authorization
  • Recording, selling or using lectures or instructional material without authorization
  • Removing, concealing or damaging library material

D.  Procedures

Any student who has allegedly engaged in an act of dishonesty must be notified by either the faculty member or the Provost within ten (10) days of discovery of the suspected infraction. For a violation in formal courses, a faculty member, who after an interview and investigation, finds the student guilty, must give either (a) give the student a grade of either zero or F for the test or assignment or (b) an F for the course. For violations outside formal courses, the Vice President of Academic Affairs, who after an interview and investigation finds the student guilty, must impose an appropriate penalty. In either case, an Academic Honesty Violation Report must be filed electronically by logging onto my.sju.edu, and clicking on School Services; Administrative Services; Faculty & Advisors; Academic Honesty Violation.

E. Appeals to the Academic Honesty Board

There are three (3) ways by which cases reach the Academic Honesty Board:

  1. A student can appeal his or her case to the Board if the student believes that:
    1. the charge is “unsubstantiated,” or
    2. the decision of guilt was procedurally unfair.
  2. Any second infraction of the Academic Honesty Code is automatically sent to the AHB for a hearing on the possible imposition of more stringent sanctions (e.g., suspension, expulsion).
    1. The Provost, or a faculty member, can refer a case to the Board when he/she believes that the permissible sanctions against the student are inadequate for the offense.

A student appeal, as well as referrals from the Provost or faculty, must state the grounds, be in writing, and sent to the AHB Chair within seven (7) days of notification of the faculty member’s decision.

On appeal, the Board will first decide whether to conduct a hearing. If a hearing is granted, the parties are given the opportunity to present their claims and defenses before the Board. The Board decides whether to affirm or reverse the Violation Report.

F.  Conclusion

The foregoing is a brief description of the Academic Honesty Policy. It is not a substitute for reading the actual policy, which every student is expected to be thoroughly familiar. The Academic Honesty Policy is reprinted in the catalogs and in the Student Handbook.

The integrity of the academic process at Saint Joseph’s University is important to everyone in our community. You are admonished to comply with it, and at the same time encouraged to make use of it in the appropriate circumstances. You are welcome to address any questions or problems to the chairperson of the Academic Honesty Board.

Jennifer Ewald, Ph.D., Chair
Academic Honesty Board
Bellarmine 330 B, Ext. 1864
Contact Jennifer Ewald, Ph.D.