THE OFFICE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: AN OVERVIEW

Graduate Student Orientation

Fall 2015

Adam Jussel, Director OSC

Learning Outcomes

• We hope that at the end of the day you. . .• Understand OSC’s mission and purpose• Understand the conduct process• Understand your role and obligations• Understand how to handle Academic Integrity (AI)

violations

OSC Mission

The Office of Student Conduct upholds the WSU Standards of Conduct for Students in a fair and equitable manner.  We seek to involve students in the conduct process, recognizing their rights and responsibilities, and fostering self-determination and transformational engagement. 

Goals of the Conduct System

• Educate the student or students• Deter future misconduct• Assist the student(s) involved• Protect the community

Purposes of Standards of Conduct

“Code of Conduct”

• Sets out conditions governing students’ eligibility to remain part of WSU

community• Defines what our living/learning

environment is• Serves as a protection to that community

Standards of Conduct for Students

Acts of Dishonesty Disruption or obstruction Disorderly conduct Abuse of others Theft or damage to property Hazing Failure to comply w/ officials Violations of policy, rule or law Alcohol and drugs Weapons

Unauthorized use of devices Computer abuse or theft Discrimination and Harassment Sexual harassment and

misconduct Stalking Reckless endangerment Trespassing Retaliation

Jurisdiction of WSU Standards of Conduct

• All on-campus conduct

• University sponsored activities

• Off-campus conduct that adversely affects university community/pursuit of its objectives.

• From application awarding of degree

• Applies to all students • full-time, part-time, grad, undergrad, professionals, those who

aren’t “enrolled” but have continuing relationship with WSU or have been notified of admission

Criminal System vs Conduct System

Criminal

• Punitive• The court can compel you

to appear• Have the right to legal

representation• “Beyond a reasonable

doubt”• Possible consequences

include prison or even death

Conduct

• Educational• Student can choose to not

participate in the process• The student must

represent themselves• “More likely than not”• Possible consequences

range from a warning to expulsion

Walk-in and Telephone Reports

Office of Student Conduct ProcessesConduct Resolution

Notice to AppearContest a Violation (within 14 days)

Investigative MeetingConduct Officer Hearing

DecisionSanctions

Appeals Board Decisionwithin 20 days after appeal submitted

How Cases Enter and Flow through the Conduct Process

Online Form SubmissionsMisconduct

Sexual AssaultHazing

(to Director for routing)

OEO Investigative

Memorandum(to Director)

Presidential Reviewwithin 10 days after

Decision of Expulsion or Loss of Recognition

optional

Police Interagency

Meetings/Police Reports

(to Conduct Officers)

Residence Life Incident Reports

May appeal within 21 days after decision

Source of Reports

Conduct Board ProcessNotice to Appear

Conduct Board DecisionSanctions

Director may refer to Conduct Board

Faculty Online Reports

Academic Integrity

May Petition to Delay

within 10 days after Decision

Notice to AppearConduct Board Hearing

Administrative Hearing

with Conduct Officer

Notice of Decision and Sanctionswithin 10 days after hearing

Appeal of Decisionor Sanctionswithin 21 days

Appeals Board Decision

within 20 days after appeal submitted

Conduct Board Hearing

Conduct Code Violation

Notice to Appear Administrative

Hearing

Conduct ResolutionDecision and

Sanctions

Student mayContest Charges

within 14 days after notice

with reasonable notice

Dismiss Case

In Cases of Expulsion or Loss of Recognition

President’s Review

within 10 days after Decision

Petition to Delay

within 10 days after Decision

optional

optional

Alcohol & Drug Policy• Found at: https://conduct.wsu.edu/policies/• Medical marijuana use on campus

Other Important Policies to Know

• Downloading or Sharing Files/Software• Good Samaritan Guideline

• EP 15

Mandated Reporting• An employee of Washington State University must report

any disclosures or suspicions of:• Sexual assault, stalking, or violence (emotional or physical)

perpetrated because of someone’s gender or relationship status• All allegations of discrimination or harassment (protected classes)• Abuse of a child or vulnerable adult• Imminent harm to self or others• Hazing

• 48 hours is the standard time frame in which to report.• Who to report to?

• Supervisor or head of department/unit can help you contact:• Police, CPS, or APS• OEO• OSC• DOS

More About Mandated Reporting

• You are not responsible for investigating the disclosures or verifying their validity

• When in doubt, report

In cases of immediate imminent danger call 911!

Student Conduct

Goals• Educate• Deter• Assist• Protect

Jurisdiction• Students who have a

continuing relationship

w/ WSU• Both on and off campus

Purpose and process• Educational not punitive• Different processes than

criminal system• Different standards of evidence• Different consequences

Important policies• Drugs and alcohol• Medical marijuana• EP 15• Mandated reporting

Academic Integrity

In Academic Integrity cases, the instructor acts as the Conduct Officer, so it’s important that you understand

the definitions, policies, and processes.

Scope of the Issue

• July 1, 2014 to July 1, 2015

• Academic Dishonesty- Cheating 88• Academic Dishonesty- Plagiarism 82

• Total 170 • (That’s about 5 new cases each week of class!)

• Of those. . . • Charges Dropped 1• Not Responsible 9

• Pending/Unknown 7• Responsible 153

Definitions of Academic Integrity Violations

(WAC 504-26-010)• Unauthorized assistance• Unauthorized sources• Unauthorized materials• Fabrication• Unfair advantage• Scientific misconduct

• Unauthorized collaboration• Unauthorized knowledge• Plagiarism• Unauthorized multiple

submissions• Sabotage• Falsifying records

Most Common AI ViolationsUnauthorized Assistance

Use of unauthorized materials in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations, OR giving or receiving unauthorized assistance by any means, including:

• talking during quizzes, tests or exams• copying information from another student• using electronic devices or • taking an examination for another student

Fabrication

The intentional invention or counterfeiting of information in the course of an academic activity.

The most common form is counterfeiting a record of internship or practicum experiences.

(by far): Plagiarism

Presenting the information, ideas, or phrasing of another person as the student’s own work without proper acknowledgement of the source.

• WSU’s policy makes no distinction between intentional and unintentional plagiarism, which means that:

• One improper citation IS plagiarism.• This also includes submitting work created by someone else as your own,

including purchasing papers online.

Initial Hearing/ Determination with Instructor

AI Hearing Board Decision and

Sanctionswithin 10 days after hearing

Referral to Conduct Boardin cases of 2nd offenseor egregious offenses

Academic Integrity Violation

Appeal of Instructor’s Decision or Sanctionswithin 21 days

Additional Educational Sanctions Assigned by Conduct Officer or Referral to Conduct Board

Academic Integrity Appeal Hearing

If instructor finds student responsible, a report to

OSC is submitted online.

Conduct Officer Action

21 days after instructor’s decision (if no appeal)

or immediately following AI Hearing Board’s decision (if found Responsible):

What happens if there is an alleged

violation?When an academic integrity violation has occurred, the instructor:• Compiles evidence supporting claim• Meets with student about issue• Makes determination if violation occurred and imposes

academic sanctions if appropriate• Reports incident and decision to Office of Student Conduct

• Then:

• Student can accept instructor’s decision OR student has 21 days to appeal decision

• If student appeals, AI Board makes independent decision based on the information provided by the student and the instructor.

First Steps• Assemble the

Evidence:• Offending work• Statements by

witnesses• Original sources if

plagiarism• “Preponderance of the

evidence”

• Notification• Private• As quickly as possible• Provide date, time and

place for face-to-face meeting

• Communicate concerns through e-mail or phone

…and then• Meeting

• Show evidence to student

• Allow him or her to respond

• Notify student that you are required to report to OSC

• Notify student you will provide them with outcome and summary of meeting, academic sanction, and appeal information

Two parts of the AI process

• Academic sanction from the instructor

• University sanction from OSC

The academic sanction must be in line with syllabus statement

Outcome

Outcome of meeting• Provide student with written

statement (e-mail is ok)

• Outlining evidence

• Summarize meeting

• Sanction

• 21 day appeal period

Notify OSC

• Complete online form

• Email • copy of offending work • any original sources of

plagiarism • a copy of any written

communication with student regarding the plagiarism

• copy of syllabus

AI Appeal ProcessAcademic Integrity Hearing Board

• Teaching faculty and a chairperson• Recommended by Faculty Senate

Function of Board• Separate and independent determination of responsibility• Determine whether sanction is appropriate and in accordance

with syllabus statement

Timing• 21 days from date of your letter

Hearing• Letter will go to student and instructor indicating time of hearing,

instruction of witnesses, evidence, etc. . .

Syllabus Statements

• Articulate the standards that you are willing to enforce

• Allow students to understand the consequences of dishonesty

• Clarify academic and behavioral standards in advance

Academic Integrity

• Instructor Responsibilities• Compile evidence• Meet with student• Determine responsibility

and impose academic sanctions

• Report to OSC• On-line reporting form• www.conduct.wsu.edu

• Two Part Process• Academic sanction

• Imposed by the instructor

• Spelled out in the syllabus

• University sanction• Imposed by OSC • Educational sanctions

Questions?

academicintegrity.wsu.edu