Dishonesty Memo

Disciplinary for Academic Dishonesty (from the Middlesex Community College Code of Conduct):

MCC's Code of Conduct states a student shall be subject to disciplinary action for engaging in acts of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to the following: 

  • Use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;

  • Dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments;

  • The acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College faculty or staff; or

  • Plagiarism, which is defined as the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement.  It also includes the unacknowledged us of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.  Taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit.  Copying or purchasing other's work or arranging for other to do work under a false name.

Options and Procedures:

The MCC Code of Conduct recognizes the right of faculty to manage their class, including addressing directly with students issues or scholastic dishonesty.  When academic dishonesty is suspected, a faculty member may:

  1. Offer a consequence such as a warning, deduction of points, failing grade, and/or opportunity to retake/write the assignment.

    OR

  2. Refer he matter directly to the Office of Community Standards to administer under the Code of Conduct.  (Submit a Small Incident Form or contact communitystandards@middlesex.mass.edu)

    OR

  3. Offer a consequence such as those listed above in Option 1 AND submit the name of the student to the Office of Community Standards for tracking purposes.  (Submit a Small Incident Form or contact communitystandards@middlesex.mass.edu.)
Considerations:

Option 1

  • In the case where an F in the course or assignment will impact a student's status in a program (i.e. EMT and health programs), this option is unavailable.  The violation shall be directly referred to the Office of Community Standards for administration under the Conduct policy.

  • An F for the course is usually reserved for extremely egregious cases and it is suggested that in such severe cases, the instructor consider sending the case forward to be adjudicated using the Code.

  • Consistency is critical so the faculty member's policy should be clearly state in the syllabus and be applied to all students for each occurrence to ensure fair due process.

  • If a student believes there is substantial evidence of error or injustice associated with the grade, the student may file a grievance under the Student Grievance Procedure's Grade Appeal Process.

Option 2

  • The Code of Conduct process shall be completed, where practicable, within 30 days.

  • The process includes an investigation with the opportunity for the accused student to share their perspective.

  • A decision will be made using the evidentiary standard of preponderance of evidence *(i.e. more probable than not).

  • A responsible finding will be shared with the instructor who will use discretion in grading according to their syllabus.  A not responsible finding will be shared with the instructor who will grade the work as if there were no violation.

  • Additional sanctions (beyond their grade) may be imposed upon the student.  These sanctions and their follow-thru will be recorded and overseen by the Community Standards Office.  Privacy laws apply and information will only be shared when necessary.

  • The student may not file a grievance under the Student Grievance Procedure's Grade Appeal Process.

Option 3

  • The student will NOT participate in the Code of Conduct process (unless there is record of repeat infractions or if the action may be accompanied by additional disciplinary offenses).  The reporting instructor will grade according to Option 1 and he Community Standards to track integrity violations on a campus-wide scale for assessment purposes.

  • This option allows for the Office of Community Standards to track integrity violations on a campus-wide scale for assessment purposes.

  • This option allows for the Office of Community Standards to be alerted when multiple complaints have been filed regarding a single student.  In the event there are more than one complaint related to academic integrity, the student may face additional and separate charges and sanctions.

  • If a student believes there is substantial evidence of error or injustice associated with the grade, the student may file a grievance under the Student Grievance Procedure's Grade Appeal Process.
Resources:

Information on discipline for Academic Dishonesty can be found in the Code of Conduct.

MCC's Academic Integrity info webpage:
https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/deanofstudents/academicint.aspx

Small Incident Form
https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/deanofstudents/incidentform.aspx

Office of Community Standards
communitystandards@middlesex.mass.edu

R. Newell September 2019

Last Modified: 3/26/24