The Seminary considers all breaches of personal and academic integrity to be
serious offenses. As such, the seminary has a zero tolerance for such
behaviors.
Cheating involves, but is not necessarily limited to, the use of
unauthorized sources of information during an examination. Duplication of
course requirements involves the submission of the same (or substantially
same) work for credit in two or more courses without the knowledge and
consent of the instructors. (See Duplication of Course Requirements)
Plagiarism involves the use of another person's distinctive ideas or words,
whether published or unpublished, and representing them as one's own instead
of giving proper credit to the source. The plagiarism policy applies to
Semlink courses, including the online interactivity discussion forum and
email-based conversation requirements. Any outside information must be
quoted and referenced when using it in the interactivity discussion forum.
[Please note that further clarification on exactly what constitutes
plagiarism is anticipated from the EPPC in the future.]
All allegations of cheating and plagiarism are referred to the Judicial
Committee. The Judicial Committee is a sub-committee of the Education Policy
and Planning Committee with representatives from the faculty of all three
academic divisions. The Judicial Committee is chaired by the Registrar of
the Seminary.
Allegations and Appeals Process:
| |
1. A faculty member will identify and substantiate a suspected violation of
academic integrity. The faculty member has the prerogative to meet with the
student for clarification concerning the suspected violation of academic
integrity.
|
| |
2. As soon as is reasonably possible, the faculty member will present the
allegation to the Registrar.
|
| |
3. Within three business days, the Registrar will give written notification
of the allegation and due process to the accused student.
|
| |
4. The student will have the option to respond in writing to the allegations
within no more than ten business days of the Registrar's notification. This
response must be directed to the Registrar.
|
| |
5. The Registrar will gather all appropriate information and present it to
the Judicial Committee for action. The Judicial Committee will have ten
business days to meet, review the case, and render a decision. The student
has the right to appear before the Judicial Committee to defend his/her case
and may do so by making a request to the chair of the Judicial Committee
prior to the meeting.
| |
A. Those who violate the seminary's policy on cheating and plagiarism will
be subject to one or more of the following penalties: a failing grade on the
assignment in question; a failing grade for the course; suspension from the
seminary; dismissal from the seminary; or revocation of degree. Other
penalties, if any, may be assigned at the committee's discretion.
|
| |
B. Matters may also be referred to the Guidance Committee and/or the Dean
of Students at the discretion of the Judicial Committee.
|
|
| |
6. Within three business days of receiving the Judicial Committee's
decision, the Registrar will send written notification of the decision to
the student and all appropriate offices.
|
| |
7. If the student so desires, he/she may appeal the Judicial Committee's
decision by submitting a written petition to the Academic Dean within ten
business days.
|
| |
8. Within ten business days, the Academic Dean will send written
notification to the student and all appropriate parties of his/her decision
to uphold or change the Judicial Committee's original decision.
|
| |
9. If the student so desires, he/she may appeal the Academic Dean's decision
by submitting a written petition to the President within ten business days.
|
| |
10. Within ten business days, the President will send written notification
to the student and all appropriate parties of his/her decision to uphold or
change the Academic Dean's original decision. The President's decision will
be final.
|
| |
11. If a student is scheduled to graduate while an allegation is in process
or under appeal, the above process will be accelerated if reasonably
possible. If the allegation is not fully resolved at the time of graduation,
the student will be permitted to participate in the graduation exercises but
he/she will not receive a diploma until the issue has been resolved.
Reasonable deviations from these procedures will not invalidate a decision
or proceeding unless significant prejudice to the student may result.
|
