Faculty/Student Resolution Process Summary and Tips
Checklist for Handling Honor Code Violations for Faculty Members
- Gather documentation of academic dishonesty. Please provide as much detailed information as possible.
- Call Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution (2-1261) to determine if student has a prior academic honesty violation. If the student has a prior, you will automatically forward the case and any evidence along with an explanation of the case to Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution. If there are no priors, you will proceed to meet with the student. Additionally, if you would like advice as to how to have the meeting, please feel free to ask our staff.
- Schedule a meeting with the student to discuss allegations. You may choose to have your supervisor in the room with you when meeting with the student.
- Instructors should meet with the student to explain the nature of their suspicions and listen to the student's account of the incident. If the instructor still believes the student is responsible for an honor code violation, then he/she can recommend a sanction to the student. This sanction can include a grade penalty and an educational seminar..
- If the student accepts the grade penalty and sanction, then he/she will admit responsibility and complete the Faculty/Student Resolution Form as appropriate. After discussion have student sign form. Student has 24 hours to decide whether or not to accept responsibility and your proposed outcome.
- The instructor should send the form with recommended sanction to the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution in P202 Peabody Hall within 24 hours of being completed. A conduct file will be created for that student.
- Give copy of the completed form to student.
- If the student does not accept responsibility or your sanction, he/she may choose to have the case heard by the Student Conduct Committee.
- Send the form along with all evidence to the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution in P202 Peabody Hall within 24 hours of being completed.
- If the student disagrees with the allegation(s) brought forth, he/she will have an informational meeting with Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution to learn more about a Student Conduct Committee Hearing.
- Instructor will be called as a witness to the Student Conduct Committee Hearing. Staff from Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution will be in contact to schedule the hearing.
- Follow up letters will be sent to the student and faculty member referencing the outcome.
- Student should be given an "I" until the matter is resolved. Once the matter is resolved, faculty will be directed to submit the appropriate grade.
Tips for Confronting Students Regarding Honor Code Violations
- Present all the facts/reasons for your suspicions. We aren't interested in hiding anything from the student
- Listen to what the student has to say. Have an educational conversation with them regarding your concerns and the reasons why we are concerned with academic dishonesty.
- Avoid the temptation to threaten the student with more serious consequences if they don't accept responsibility. If they want a hearing, that is a right that they have as a student.
- Try not to take their behavior personally. Most students don't realize how much faculty are affected by their conduct. Explain to them how their conduct affects you.
- Allow them to have an advisor present if they wish. The advisor cannot speak for them, however.
- Students found responsible for a first offense violation at a hearing will generally receive a grade penalty, conduct probation, an educational sanction or any combination thereof, but a formal hearing is required for a second offense. Please contact the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at 392-1261 ext. 207 to determine if the student has a prior honor code violation.
- If you believe the offense is particularly egregious such as stealing an exam answer key and distributing to the class, please discuss the case with Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution prior to speaking with the student.
- Students found responsible for a second offense will most likely face suspension from the University.
- While awaiting resolution to their case, students should continue in the class as normal.
Why report every incident of cheating or plagiarism to student conduct and conflict resolution?
All incidents of academic honesty should be reported to the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution because:
- It helps avoid any claim that a student's rights were violated by an instructor who did not follow UF procedures.
- Insisting on academic integrity is good educational practice. Following proper procedures will decrease the likelihood of a challenge to the University and its faculty's/instructor's judgments in dealing with an educational matter.
- It communicates the seriousness of the violation and to his/her classmates and promotes integrity.
- Accurate records document the extent of academic dishonesty and repeat offenders can be identified.
What sanction should you impose for an honor code violation?
The value that the University of Florida places on education should be reflected in our response to academic dishonesty. In the absence of mitigating factors, we recommend that a grade penalty for the course should be the minimum appropriate response for deliberate violations. An appropriate supplement to the grade penalty you impose may be a referral to an educational or ethics seminar, all of which may be arranged through our office. If it is a second offense violation, suspension or expulsion should be considered as a sanction. This type of sanction can only be pursued through the University of Florida's conduct system.
What about confidentiality?
It does not violate state or federal confidentiality laws to discuss the student's case with the Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution staff or your department chair or dean. It would violate confidentiality however, to reveal the charged student's name, charges, sanction imposed to other students, instructors/faculty, or staff or parents. Should parents call, you must have a written, signed statement from the student that you can discuss this issue with family members. You can seek the advice of colleagues about the nature of the incident without using the name of the student. It would also be helpful to discuss cheating, in general terms, with the class at the beginning of each semester.
What happens to this form upon completion?
The form becomes part of the student's conduct file, which is kept in the Office for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution through graduation and then destroyed (unless there is a suspension or expulsion). The student's conduct file is subject to the same laws as other educational records, as this information can only be released within the University to those with a legitimate educational need to know. Any information can not be released outside without the student's permission. No notation of academic dishonesty appears on the printed academic transcript.
What if there is a disagreement with the student over this allegation?
In resolving a disputed case of academic dishonesty, the student and instructor must be treated fairly. This means that:
- The University's conduct procedures must be used to resolve the case.
- A conduct committee can relieve you of being in the situation of resolving a dispute that you are too close to.
- The standard of evidence necessary is "more likely than not" in order to impose sanctions for a violation.
- Our office will send official notification of the charges to the student.
If it is apparent to us that your suspicions are supported by a preponderance of the evidence, a student's meeting with us may clarify for him/her that a conduct committee will likely draw the same conclusion. This meeting may avoid the necessity of a hearing. However, the student may decide to resolve his/her case through a hearing. A hearing is not a trial; the format is informal. You will be asked to participate as a key witness in the case.
For questions regarding the conduct process, please contact Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at: 392-1261 ext.207.
Revised 6/08