The University community expects all members to live by the following standard designed for its general well-being. Any violations of these University policies may result in disciplinary action and/or legal actions.

Academic Dishonesty

Cheating or plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. The University functions to promote the cognitive and psychosocial development of all students. Therefore, all work submitted by a student must represent his/her own ideas, concepts and current understanding. In an attempt to promote these ideals, dishonesty in the University can be defined generally as cheating or plagiarism in any form. The following are examples which can be used as a guide to the student in interpreting the above general definition, but is not meant to be an exhaustive list:

• A. Buying or in any way using a term paper or other project that was not composed by the student turning it in;
  
• B. Copying from another exam paper either before or during the exam;
  
• C. Using crib notes or retrieval of information stored in a computer/calculator outside the exam room;
  
• D. Having someone else take an exam or taking an exam for someone else;
  
• E. Collaboration on take-home exams where it has been forbidden;
  
• F. Direct copying of another term paper; or
  
• G. Failure to give proper credit to sources.
  
  The course instructor is responsible for handling each case of dishonesty in the classroom except where a major or repeated offense is involved. In a proven case of cheating, a student will be dismissed from the class and a failing grade issued. If the instructor and the department chair concur that a case ought to be referred for further University action (which could include suspension or expulsion from the University), the dean, or his/her designee, of the college in which the student is majoring will appoint a special hearing board consisting of three (3) faculty and three (3) students. The dean, or his/her designee, will preside over any hearing and will accord due process. The Academic Grievance and Academic Dishonesty Board would be the appropriate appeal body in such an instance. If there are additional alleged violations of the Code of Conduct, a separate complaint should be filed according to the Judicial Procedures in the Student Handbook. If a student feels s/he has been unjustly dismissed from class and given a failing grade, the Academic Grievance and Academic Dishonesty Board should be utilized as in any other case of an academic grievance. (See BSU Policies 4200-D and 4300-D.)