Dec 21, 2024  
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Academic Dishonesty


Academic and professional life requires a trust based upon integrity of the written and spoken word.  Accordingly, violations of certain standards of ethical behavior will not be tolerated at Fairmont State University. All students and faculty members are urged to share in the responsibility for removing every situation which might permit or encourage academic dishonesty.

Cheating in any form, including plagiarism, unauthorized assistance in assignments and tests, unauthorized copying of computer software, falsification of results and material submitted in reports or documents, and falsification of academic records must be considered a matter of the gravest concern.

Cheating is defined here as the obtaining of information during an examination; the unauthorized use of books, notes, or other sources of information prior to or during an examination; the removal of faculty examination materials; the alteration of documents or records; or actions identifiable as occurring with the intent to defraud or use under false pretense.

Plagiarism is defined here as the submission of the ideas, words (written or oral), or artistic productions of another, falsely represented as one’s original effort or without giving due credit.

Penalties for academic dishonesty may include (a) a zero grade for that assignment or test, (b) an “F” in the course, and/or (c) expulsion from the University. The dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled is to be informed in writing of all such incidents of academic dishonesty. The instructor has full authority to assign the grade for the assignment, test, or course. If disputes of interpretation arise, the student, instructor, and dean should attempt to resolve the difficulty. If this is unsatisfactory, the Director of Graduate Studies will rule in the matter. As a final appeal, the appeals committee of the Faculty Senate will make a final determination.