1.01 Rationale.
The university can best function and accomplish its objectives in an atmosphere of high ethical standards. It expects and encourages all students, faculty and staff to contribute to such an atmosphere in every way possible and especially by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. It is recognized, however, that a large university will include a few students who do not understand, appreciate, and practice these principles. As a consequence, alleged cases of academic dishonesty will inevitably occur, and students will be accused. The following procedures are designed to handle these cases in fairness to all concerned: the accused student, the faculty, and the university.
1.02 General Jurisdiction.
Matters relating to academic honesty are within the general jurisdiction of the senior vice president for academic affairs and Provost. Allegations of scientific misconduct against students engaged in research supported by funding from the university or other sources will be handled according to the University of Houston Ethical Conduct in Academic Research and Scholarship Policy (contact the Division of Research at (713) 743-9222 for a paper copy or at www.research.uh.edu on the World Wide Web).
1.03 College with Jurisdiction.
Specific jurisdiction in academic honesty matters rests in each school or college of the university. The school or college with jurisdiction is determined by the course in which dishonesty occurs. If the student involved majors in a college other than that offering the course, the college offering the course has jurisdiction, but the Dean of the student's major college will be informed. If the college with jurisdiction cannot be determined from the relationship between the alleged actions of a student or group of students and a particular course, then the Provost will designate which has jurisdiction.
1.04 Colleges to which the Policy Applies.
The policy on academic honesty applies to all colleges within the university. However, any college may present to the Provost a code separate from this university policy. After approval by the Provost, and after such publication as the Provost shall direct, academic honesty matters over which that college has jurisdiction shall be governed by that code. Honor systems within the professional colleges are especially encouraged.
1.05 Questions Regarding Applicability of Policies.
All questions regarding the applicability of college codes or university policy or special provisions of either shall be determined finally by the Provost.
1.06 Compass of Actions Taken Against Students.
Actions taken against students are university-wide in their effect.
1.07 Faculty Responsibility.
Faculty have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty through their department chair to their Dean.
1.08 Student Responsibility.
Students shall have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty to the instructor involved, or to the appropriate authority if the alleged act is not associated with a specific class.
1.09 Purpose of Procedures.
The purpose of these procedures is to provide for the orderly administration of the Academic Honesty Policy consistent with the principles of due process of law. Reasonable deviations from these procedures will not invalidate a decision or proceeding unless the Provost determines, upon written appeal from the accusing and/ or accused parties, that it will result in prejudice to one or more of the parties involved.
1.10 Instructor Responsibility.
Instructors shall have the responsibility of taking action with respect to incidents of alleged academic dishonesty in accord with this Academic Honesty Policy.
1.11 Definitions.
1.11.01 Class Day.
Class days, for purposes of this policy, are defined as days the university is open and classes are meeting (excluding Saturdays).
1.11.02 Internal Use.
Internal use defines who has access to a student's records. Records for internal use will be released only to University of Houston officials who have an educational need to know the information.
1.11.03 Permanent Record.
Permanent record includes documents, forms, copies, reports, statements, tape recordings, etc. that are acquired while a student attends the University of Houston. The information is available to outside sources according to the procedures established by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
1.11.04 Sanction.
Sanction means the penalty assessed for a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.
1.11.05 Instructor.
Instructor refers to a faculty member, lecturer, teaching assistant, or teaching fellow in charge of the section in which an alleged violation of this Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. Such individuals will normally be the instructor of record of the course section in question. In instances where this is not the case, instances of alleged cheating should be reported to the supervisor (e.g., laboratory supervisor) of the instructor as well as the chair.
1.11.06 Chair.
Chair refers either to the chair of the department responsible for the course in which an alleged violation of the academic honesty policy occurs or to his/her designated representative. If the college responsible for the course in question does not have individual departments, Chair as used below shall refer to the individual designated by the Dean of the college to act as hearing officer in academic honesty cases.
1.11.07 Dean.
Dean refers to either the Dean of the college containing the department offering the course in which the alleged violation of the academic honesty policy occurs or to his/her designated representative (Hearing Officer).
1.11.08 Student.
Student refers to any individual who has ever registered and paid (made a complete payment or has made at least one installment payment) for a course, or courses at the University of Houston. This definition would normally include undergraduates, graduates, postbaccalaureates, professional school students and individuals auditing courses.
1.12 Notification.
All required written notices shall be addressed to the student at his/her local address as it appears on University of Houston records and deposited in the U.S. mail. A notice properly addressed and so deposited shall be presumed to have been received by the student. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the university of a change of address in a timely manner so that university records can be accurately maintained.
