Academic Integrity

Academic Ethics Process Overview

Step 1: Notify Student and Request a Meeting

Faculty suspects academic dishonesty and notifies the student to request a private conference.

Step 2: Meet and Discuss the Incident

Faculty members and student have a private conference. If student does not respond, it will be treated as an admission of responsibility. 

Step 3: Resolution and Documentation

Faculty submits completed ER form to: Student, Department Chairperson, and VPAA

Resolution (up to and including):

• Failure in the course
• Academic ethics education

Step 4: Appeal Option

Student contacts VPAA if they wish to appeal.

If there are multiple offenses, this may involve formal resolution and/or additional penalties, including:

• Suspension
• Expulsion
• Revocation of degree

The deadline for each step is five school days from the previous step. School days are Monday-Friday, when University classes are scheduled, including summer terms.

• Instructors cannot alter a student’s grade without turning in the Ethics Reporting Form.
• The Ethics Reporting form and relevant documents are held on file for five years.
• Academic dishonesty is not noted on student's formal record (e.g., transcript).
• A student may disagree with either the accusation and/or resolution. If so, the Office of the Vice Provost will meet with the student.
• As part of the resolution, instructors may require students to complete the sanctions process. The Office of Student Conduct will assign educational activities appropriate to students’ situations to help them avoid future academic misconduct.

Step 1: Within 5 school days from suspicion of potential academic dishonesty, notify student and request a private conference. Suggestions:

• Requests to meet should be sent to the student via the communication channel most commonly used within the course and by email (set as high importance and with read/receipt request) from instructor’s Ball State email address. If a message is sent by Canvas, it must be in a separate communication not simply a comment on the student’s assignment.
• If the student was notified verbally when misconduct occurred, send an email summary of the incident and meeting request on the same day. 
• See sample notification emails for suggested language. Instructors may copy and/or modify sample emails.
• Focus on specific actions and objective indicators that caused suspicion rather than communicating assumptions about students' abilities.

Informal Resolution

Faculty and student meet privately to discuss the concern

Possible Outcomes:

• Faculty determines no misconduct
• Student admits misconduct
• Student denies misconduct

If faculty determines no misconduct: The matter is closed

If student admits misconduct: Student sends admission in writing to faculty (ER form).

• If student agrees with consequences, faculty sends completed ER form to student, department chairperson, & VPAA. Faculty then sends completed ER form to student, department chairperson, & VPAA. If there are multiple offenses, this may involve a formal resolution and/or additional penalties. 
• If student disagrees with consequences, the student files an appeal with the VPAA. Formal resolution is reached.

If student denies misconduct: Student sends denial in writing to faculty (ER form). Faculty then sends completed ER form to student, department chairperson, & VPAA. Formal resolution is reached.

Work with the student to set a meeting within 5 school days from notification (preferably meeting in-person, by phone, or virtually) to discuss and clarify the suspected violation. Suggestions for the meeting:

• Present observed actions and objective indicators. 
• Ask student to share their perspectives.
• Discuss a resolution.
• Inform student of their right to appeal.
• If student admits academic misconduct, email the student:
  •     The Ethics Reporting (ER) form that includes a summary of the private conference.
  •     Reminder that they may appeal accusation or resolution.
  •     Request that they email completed and signed ER form back to the instructor within 5 school days of the private conference.

Academic Ethics Hearing Panel Overview

Student Academic Ethics Hearing Panel

The hearing panel includes:

• 5 voting members (3 faculty and 2 students)
• Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (VPAA)
• Dean of Students (DOS)

Involved Student and Faculty Participation

Student and faculty each:

• Submit written documentation
• Have up to 30 minutes to present relevant information to the panel (panel may vary), including witness testimonies.

Hearing Panel Determination and Outcomes

The panel reviews the case and issues a determination and recommendation.

If the student is found not responsible:

• Accusation is dismissed and faculty assigns grade based on academic performance
• Panel's summary of evidence is presented, and findings are sent to the student, faculty, department chair, college dean, and Provost

Faculty may appeal the panel's decision to the Provost, in which case the Provost can:

• Approve the Hearing Panel’s determination
• Overrule or modify the determination
• Refer the case back to the Hearing Panel

If the student is found responsible:

• Panel may recommend consequences up to and including: Suspension, expulsion or revocation of degree

Student may appeal the decision to the Provost, in which case the Provost can:

• Approve the Hearing Panel’s determination
• Overrule or modify the determination
• Refer the case back to the Hearing Panel

If the student disagrees with the accusation or resolution discussed in the private conference or seeks to appeal the academic ethics violation, the incident will be handled with the formal resolution process of a Student Academic Ethics Hearing. The hearing procedures are outlined in the diagrams below and detailed in sections V. and VI. of the Student Academic Ethics Policy.