/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2019-2020/University-Policy-local.json

/Institutions/Cumberland-University/json/2019-2020/University-Policy.json

Policy > Committees > Academic Integrity Board

Academic Integrity Board

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Date Originally Created: 01/23/2012
Revised: 08/30/2019
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1. Academic Integrity Board

1.1. Description

The Academic Integrity Board (AIB) advocates and raises the awareness of academic integrity at Cumberland University by upholding the University Values section in the preamble that is fundamental to Cumberland University. These Values are: Value 1: Personal Integrity, Value 2: Worth of the Individual, Value 3: Critical, Independent Thinking, Value 1: Discipline, and Value 5: Community Responsibility and Accountability. The responsibility of acting with integrity deals with each member, administration, faculty, staff and student of the university. The Board reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs about the status of Academic Integrity Policy.

1.2. By-Laws


1.2.a. Committee Composition & Appointment 

i. The Academic Integrity Board (AIB) consists of at least seven (7) members that include two (2) representatives from each of the academic schools of the University and an incumbent chair. In addition, AIB appeal meetings will have at least one student representative present (under rare and unusual circumstances more than one student representative may be needed). The student representative for the AIB will be drawn upon from a pool of representatives. Note: If circumstances prevent a faculty representative from attending an academic integrity hearing he or she may designate an alternative representative from his or her School. Faculty representatives should recuse themselves from academic integrity cases that may present as conflicts of interests (i.e. instructor, advisor or mentor of student). The committee composition should assure adequately informed representation of the University.

 

ii. The AIB will operate with an internally appointed Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary (note that under certain cases the Chair and Vice Chair should be from different Academic Schools to facilitate appropriate representation. Elections for Chair Vice Chair, and Secretary occur at the first fall of each year following any vacancy.

 

iii. Student representatives must have no prior academic integrity violations, must have 60+ credit hours, and have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. A pool of at least two student members per academic school will be generated at the beginning of each fall semester, but under most circumstances no more than one student member need be present for decisions on academic integrity violations. The student representatives will be recommended by CU faculty, verified by the Dean of Students, and appointed by the corresponding School Dean. Student representatives present at any academic hearing must not have conflict of interest with the student involved in the violation. 

iv. Faculty appointments from the School of Nursing & Health Professions and At-Large Bids will occur in the fall of even years. Appointment of representatives from the School of Humanities, Education and the Arts, along with the School of Science, Technology, and Business will occur in the fall of odd years. In cases where committee members vacate a position, special appointment will be made to fill the open position by the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Faculty representatives should recuse themselves from academic integrity cases that may present as conflicts of interests (i.e., instructor, advisor, or mentor of student).

v. The Academic Integrity Board will meet once each semester during faculty call-back week or when the circumstances deem it necessary.

1.2.b. Terms of Service

i. School representative members of the Academic Integrity Board term of service is four years and is limited to two consecutive terms; except in the case of individuals elected Chair, who may serve three consecutive terms but unlimited total terms as AIB Chair during their tenure as a Cumberland University employee.

ii. It is recommended that the Chair-elect must be a continuing service committee member (having served at least one term previous). Special accommodations will be made in the case of a Chair’s resignation and a special election will be held to replace the chair.

iii. The term of service as Chair is four years. A Chair may serve no more than two three consecutive terms in this position, but unlimited total terms as AIB Chair during their tenure as a Cumberland University employee.

iv. The term of service as Vice Chair is four years. A Vice Chair may serve no more than two consecutive terms in this position, but unlimited total terms as AIB Vice Chair during their tenure as a Cumberland University employee.

v. The Secretary will be elected by the membership of the Academic Integrity Board. A term of service as secretary is four years.

1.2.c. Chair Roles

i. It is the role of the AIB Chair to communicate monthly with and take in advisement academic integrity issues recommended by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or the Dean of Students and to communicate AIB recommendations of policy and/or procedure with regard to academic integrity. 

ii. It is the role of the Chair to guide the operations of the AIB.

iii. It is the role of the Chair to ensure that proceedings of this Board’s works are appropriately communicated to CU administration and faculty; as necessary.

iv. It is the role of the Chair to ensure that meeting agendas and all material pertinent to any academic integrity violation case are distributed at least 21 hours prior to meeting time.

v. The Chair oversees AIB sub-committees and delegates responsibilities necessary for carrying out AIB initiatives. 

1.2.d. Vice Chair Roles

i. It is the responsibility of the AIB Vice Chair to perform the responsibilities of the AIB Chair in the absence of the AIB Chair for a called meeting and/or hearing.

ii. The Vice Chair serves as Chair-elect and should actively engage in learning the duties and functions of the Chair. 

1.2.e. Secretary Roles

i. It is the role of the Secretary to record, maintain, and appropriately post minutes for AIB meetings. Minutes for AIB meetings will be presented to the AIB membership and approved prior to posting in the Office for Academic Affairs. It is important that the Secretary keep accurate record of any decisions, important material and any votes. Specifically, the secretary will report in writing the results of any academic integrity hearing, including only (a) the charge (excluding the name of the accused for any public reporting of academic integrity statistics), (b) the nature of the evidence, (c) the sentence, and (d) the rationale for the sentence.

ii. It is the role of the Secretary to aid in the preparation of correspondence outside of the Board.

iii. The Secretary shall collaborate with the Chair in analyzing academic integrity violation from Advocate for the purpose of sharing with CU faculty & students and informing CU policy. 

1.3 AIB Role

1.3.a. To hear charges and/or appeals of academic integrity violations and to render decisions with regard to validity of charge(s) and imposed sanction(s);

1.3.b.To collect, report and analyze data from each “case” about the charges that have been brought by the student;

1.3.c. To report and use data for the purpose of improving communication across campus and improving Cumberland University;

1.3.d. To inform academic integrity violators of appeal process and direct them to resources to assist in the process;

1.3.e. To educate the campus community about academic misconduct; and

1.3.f. To ensure that the academic integrity practices of the University are current and in alignment with best practices.

1.4. AIB Guidelines and By-Law Interpretation

1.4.a. All decisions made by the AIB will be made by a simple majority vote of the members, as long as a quorum of voting members exists. A quorum exists when at least voting members are participating in the decision.

 

1.4.b. Within the constraints of the constitutional authority of the Board of Trustees and/or Academic Affairs Policy, the Academic Integrity Board shall be the final authority with regard to the interpretation of these bylaws, except in cases where there is a conflict with the Academic Affairs Policy and/or Board of Trust bylaws.

1.4.c. Upon a majority vote by the Academic Integrity Board membership, amendment(s) may be made to the AIB bylaws.

1.5 Appeal Meeting Procedures

1.5.a. Upon receiving a student appeal the AIB Chair will schedule an academic integrity appeal meeting within 10 business days. 

1.5.b. Preliminary Meeting:

i. Preliminary meeting with Board members only. 

ii. At the start of the hearing the Chair gives a brief summary of the case. 

iii. Chair reminds board members that they are to maintain confidentiality about the case following the hearing.

1.5.c. Appeal meeting opens

i. Board meets with the course faculty member, student who is appealing, and any others in support of the student (advisor, character witness, etc.) into the room. 

ii. Chair makes introductions of everyone in the room.

iii. Chair to discuss hearing purpose and procedures, including reminder that AIB’s purpose is to hear the evidence and determine if there is merit for the appeal. The AIB has the authority to rule in favor of either the professor or the student. The Board also reserves the right to revise the sanctions so as to align with university academic integrity policies. 

iv. Ask for questions or comments from the student and those attending in support of the student. 

v. Dismiss student and those in attendance with the student.

 

1.5.d. Board meets with the course instructor.

i. Allow professor to explain his/her side of case and clarify evidence. 

ii. Board members ask questions for clarification.

iii. The faculty member is dismissed once all questions have been answered. 

1.5.e. Board meets with the student that initiated the appeal

i. Witnesses and others supporters are not allowed to attend this phase of the appeal meeting, unless the student appealing the academic integrity violation is a minor. 

ii. Allow student to explain their side of case. 

iii. Board members ask questions for clarification.

iv. Student is dismissed once all questions have been asked.  

1.5.f. Meet with AIB members only

i. Discuss case and main pieces of evidence.

ii. Vote on whether to uphold professor’s decision or rule in favor of the student’s appeal, or 

iii. The Board also reserves the right to modify any sanction, should it deem necessary.  

 

1.5.g. Chair submits decision 

i. The Chair will notify the professor, student and the Office of the Provost & VP of Academic Affairs as to the Board’s decision via email within two (2) business days (18 hours). 

ii. Meeting minutes are submitted to the Office of the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Students. 

iii. The student may appeal an unfavorable decision by the Board. Appeals are made to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The decision of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs is final.