| I. Purpose |
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This policy describes the disciplinary policy of the School for academic integrity violations.
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| II. Accountability |
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The faculty and students are responsible for adherence to this policy. Program Directors, Department
Chairs, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Dean monitor the policy.
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| III. Policy |
The faculty of the School of Health Professions believe that all members of the academic
community must observe and support high standards of honesty and integrity in all aspects of
education, practice, and research.
SHP adheres to the University Policy 10.2.13 on Academic Integrity
http://nbacademicintegrity.rutgers.edu/home/academic-integrity-policy/
for infractions related to unethical furthering of knowledge, specifically cheating, plagiarism,
falsification, academic sabotage, and violation of research or professional ethics.
SHP also adheres to the Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Policy on Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Disciplinary Procedures
for matters related to an infraction of Federal, state or local civil or criminal laws and
regulations; infractions of University or school policies or procedures; and professional and
academic codes of honor or standards of behavior other than those listed under the University Policy
on Academic Integrity. Examples may include sexual harassment, stealing, intimidation or bullying,
including any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication that is
reasonably perceived as being motivated either by an actual or perceived characteristic such as
race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and
expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing
characteristic.
- The Students Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity Violations: Violations of
academic integrity are divided into three categories: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Below is a
description of each level but these lists are not meant to be exhaustive.
- Level 1: violations may occur as a result of inexperience or lack of malicious intent
- Level 2: violations include misconduct of a more serious character or misconduct that affects
a major, significant, or essential portion of work done to meet course requirements, and was
premeditated. Level 2 violations may have posed harm to others.
- Level 3: violations represent the most serious breaches of conduct and may involve a serious
violation of a professional code of conduct or include extreme cases of dishonesty or malicious
intent.
For more information on the violation levels see the University Policy on Academic Integrity
http://nbacademicintegrity.rutgers.edu/
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| IV. Procedures |
- Adjudication Procedure
- Level 1 Violations: As soon as a violation is discovered the course faculty should notify
the Program Director and arrange for them both to meet with the student to resolve the matter
informally within thirty days of the alleged infraction. If the violation has been confirmed, the
faculty, along with the Program Director and/or Department’s academic integrity/professionalism
committee, can assign an appropriate sanction. Sanctions may include but are not limited to
assigning a zero to homework, exam, or paper in which the violation was found to occur. The Program
Director will then outline the violation and sanction in writing and submit the letter to the
Dean/Designee prior to sending to the student. This is to ensure the letter meets the RBHS criteria
for disciplinary procedures and to confirm through the school database if the student has committed
any previous violations. Upon Dean/designee approval, the PD/Chair sends the letter to the student
outlining the violation and sanctions, as well as an attestation for the student to sign showing
agreement with the sanctions. If the student disagrees with the violation and/or sanctions, and
refuses to sign the attestation, the matter will be referred to the Dean. The Dean/Designee may
then attempt to resolve the situation with the student or refer the matter to the school’s Hearing
Body within ten (10) working days of the decision that the matter cannot or should not be resolved
informally.
- Level 2 or 3 violations: For Level 2 or 3 infractions, the faculty, program director or
Chair may initially meet with the student to establish the facts of the violation. However, these
violations must be reported to the Dean in a detailed letter describing the infraction within 30
days of discovery. Students will receive notification that the incident is being forwarded to the
Dean/Dean designee. Since Level 2 or 3 violations are more serious in nature than Level 1
violations, they must be adjudicated by the Dean or his/her Designee. As with contested Level 1
violations, the Dean/Designee may decide to attempt to resolve the matter with the accused or refer
it to the school’s Hearing Body within 10 working days from when it was determined that the matter
could not or should not be resolved informally.
- At the Dean’s discretion the awarding of a degree or certificate may be delayed pending the
outcome of any disciplinary procedure.
- Written records must be kept of any action.
- Procedures related to the SHP Hearing Body
- The Hearing Body shall forward to the accused and the complainant written notice of the
complaint and of the time, date, and place of the hearing, which shall be held within fifteen (15)
working days of receipt of a request from the Dean/Designee. The Hearing Body shall hear the
complaint and make written recommendations for action to the Dean.
- The Hearing Body shall consist of at least three members, two of whom must be students, and
at least one of whom must be a faculty member who was not directly involved in the matter under
consideration. Remaining members of the committee may be faculty or students.
- The Chair of the Hearing Body will request submission of documents outlining the alleged
violation to be received at least 5 working days prior to the hearing. Witnesses to appear at the
hearing may be called by any participant and the Hearing Body may conduct as many sessions as
necessary to complete its hearing procedures within forty (40) days. The Hearing Body deciding a
case must not be informed of any prior violations for which the accused student may have been found
responsible for until after a decision on responsibility has been made but before a sanction is
assigned.
- The accused student may seek legal counsel and either the student or his/her legal advisors
may submit any documents or evidence related to the matter at any time prior to the conclusion of
the Hearing Body. Student’s legal representation shall not be permitted to appear at the
proceedings but may be present outside the hearing room to consult with the student if requested by
the student. However, the student may bring a non-attorney advocate during the hearing to consult
privately with and to present a final statement on the student’s behalf if requested.
- The burden of proof shall rest with the complainant and the standard of proof shall be the
preponderance of the evidence standard, (i.e. it is more likely than not that the student committed
the violation).
- The Chair of the Hearing Body may seek advice from the Office of General Counsel on any
procedural matters to ensure that all allegations, witnesses, and if requested by the Hearing Body,
the complainant, are all heard. The accused shall be allowed to be present during all
testimony.
- Testimony, with the exception of any deliberations, during the hearing shall be recorded.
Transcription by a court stenographer may be requested by the student and paid for by the
student.
- The Hearing Body must complete their proceedings within forty working days of the
commencement of the hearing and submit to the Dean, with copies to the complainant and the accused,
their recommendations within seven (7) working days thereafter. The Hearing Body recommendations
are supported by a majority vote and must report the total vote tally without reference to the
individual votes.
- The student may seek the advice of faculty or students who are not involved in the matter
and who do not hold an administrative position.
- Within five (5) working days of receipt of the Hearing Body’s recommendation, any party may
submit written exceptions to the Dean.
- The Dean/designee must render a final decision within thirty (30) working days of the last
submission by any party of written exceptions. The decision shall be rendered earlier if the
accused student is expected to graduate before the expiration of this thirty working day
period.
- Within five (5) working days of receipt of the Dean’s decision, the accused student may
submit a written appeal to the RBHS Chancellor who will have thirty (30) working days to render a
non-appealable decision.
- Recommendations from the Hearing Body may include any of the following
- Dismissal of charges and removal of the complaint from University records
- Reprimand with a copy of the letter placed in the student’s file
- Probation-a specific period of time during which conditions may be placed on the student’s
enrollment
- Suspension-a specific period during which the student is barred from enrollment
- Dismissal-the severing of the affiliation between the student and the school
- Temporary withholding of degree or certificate
- Degree or certificate revocation
- See University Policy 10.2.13 for additional disciplinary sanctions. https://policies.rutgers.edu/view-policies/academic-%E2%80%93-section-10
- Withdrawal and Assignment of Grades during the Disciplinary Process
Once a student has been notified of an alleged violation of academic integrity related to a course,
the student may not drop the course until the disciplinary process is completed. Students may
request permission to withdraw retroactively from the course after the disciplinary process is
completed unless the sanction issued includes an F in the course. If the student wishes to withdraw
from all courses while a case is pending, that request must be approved by the Dean of the school in
which the student is enrolled.
Students will not be expelled from the school prior to the
completion of the disciplinary hearing procedures unless the Dean/Designee feels the continued
presence of the student poses a substantial and immediate danger to the safety of other students,
faculty, or staff. Additionally, students will be able to continue with didactic coursework but may
be suspended from clinical work until the completion of the proceedings.
If a faculty member must submit a final course grade before the disciplinary process for an
alleged violation of academic integrity is completed, the accused student shall be given a NG grade
until the disciplinary process is completed.
- Record-Keeping
- All communication to the accused student shall be sent through certified mail, return receipt
requested, or by another method providing confirmation of delivery, and maintained by the school for
7 years.
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STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES for Academic Integrity Violations
Amended:
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