|
The University of Houston Academic Honesty Policy
is posted online at: http://www.uh.edu/provost/policies/uhhonesty_policy.html
and also appears in each edition of the Student Handbook (pages 9 through 14 of the 2007-2008 edition,
and on line [29.4 MB]).
It is each student’s responsibility to be aware of and understand
the Academic Honesty Policy. The FAQs are intended to clarify Academic Honesty processes, and are not a
substitute for the complete policy.
Scroll down to review the list of
Frequently Asked Questions.
- What is an Academic
Honesty Hearing?
- What are the consequences
of an Academic Honesty violation?
- I have been accused
of an Academic Honesty Violation. What happens next?
- What is a Waiver?
- What are the consequences
of a departmental waiver?
- What is a Departmental
Hearing?
- May I bring anyone
to the Departmental Hearing?
- Can I review the information
presented by the faculty member in my academic honesty case?
- What should I do if
someone else is the person who violated the academic honesty policy?
- Do I have the right
to question the accusations against me?
- How long will the
departmental hearing take?
- How will I be informed
of the decision of the chair?
- Where will my letter
be mailed?
- What are the consequences
of a Departmental Hearing?
- Do I have the right
to appeal a Departmental Hearing?
- What happens if I
do not attend the Departmental Hearing?
- How should I decide
whether to accept or appeal a departmental sanction?
- Suppose I violated the
Academic Honesty policy but I wish to appeal the penalty at the college
level?
- How can I get more
information?
- What is an Academic Honesty Hearing?
An Academic Honesty Hearing is a hearing concerning an allegation of academic dishonesty. During a hearing the student and faculty member have the opportunity to present and discuss information in support of or against the allegation that the student has violated the academic honesty policy.
- What are the consequences of an Academic
Honesty violation?
A violation of the Academic Honesty Policy is a serious offense. It can affect your transcript and your permanent record. It can result in a wide range of possible sanctions, including expulsion. It can result in denial of entry into law, medical, and professional schools. An Academic Honesty violation can result in denial of security clearances.
- I have been accused of an Academic Honesty
Violation. What happens next?
You may have to appear for a departmental hearing
or you may be eligible for a waiver of the departmental hearing.
- What is a Waiver?
If you have no previous Academic Honesty violations and if the recommended sanction is less severe than probation, you may be eligible for a waiver (also called Waiver of Departmental Hearing). This is not to be confused with a Waiver of Automatic College Hearing. A departmental hearing waiver is a document that you, the faculty member, and the departmental chair must sign. By signing the departmental hearing waiver, you acknowledge the Academic Honesty Violation, and all parties agree to accept the recommended sanction.
A Waiver of Automatic College Hearing exists for students who wish to accept a departmentally recommended sanction of suspension or expulsion and thereby waive the automatic college hearing. The sanction is then considered a college level decision and becomes an irrevocable part of the student’s permanent record. This specific waiver form is issued from the Dean of Students Office.
- What are the consequences of a departmental waiver?
The departmental sanction you agreed to accept will be assessed against you. Sanctions may include reduced or zero credit for a test, a grade of F in the course, etc. Your name will be placed on waiver lists maintained by the department, college, and provost. Following graduation, you may request that your name be removed from waiver lists. An agreement to settle an Academic Honesty violation with a departmental hearing waiver will not result in any record being kept that is reflected on your transcript or your permanent record.
- What is a Departmental Hearing?
If you are not eligible for a waiver (because you have a previous violation; because the suggested sanction is probation or greater; or because you, the chair, and the instructor cannot agree on the waiver), a departmental hearing will occur. You will have the opportunity to present documents and witnesses to the chair of the department in support of your case. The chair will render a decision based on information presented at the hearing.
- May I bring anyone to the Departmental
Hearing?
Yes. You may bring an individual for support. This person is not allowed to participate in the hearing. Additionally, you (or the faculty member) may bring individuals who have knowledge of the circumstances and who are prepared to testify. If you intend to bring someone to testify, you must inform the chair three class days prior to the hearing. You may also bring legal counsel. This legal counsel will be allowed to advise you but is not allowed to address the chair, the faculty member or any witness presented by you or the faculty member. If you wish to bring legal counsel, you must inform the chair three class days prior to the hearing so that a representative of the University of Houston legal counsel is also present.
- Can I review the information presented by the faculty member in my academic honesty case?
Yes, at the hearing.
- What should I do if someone else
is the person who violated the academic honesty policy?
You may present this argument and relevant information at the departmental hearing.
- Do I have the right to question the
accusations against me?
Yes, at a departmental hearing you may ask questions relevant to your case.
- How long will the departmental hearing take?
Most hearings last 20-30 minutes. Few last longer
than an hour.
- How will I be informed of the decision
of the chair?
In many cases, you will be informed at the conclusion
of the hearing. In all cases, you will be informed in writing by mail
within three class days after the hearing.
- Where will my letter be mailed?
Your letter will be mailed to your local address
as reflected in University of Houston records unless you request notification
at an alternate address. 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.
- What are the consequences of a Departmental
Hearing?
A departmental hearing may result in one of a full range of outcomes. The chair may decide that the violation did not occur and/or that no penalty should be assessed. On the other hand, the chair may decide that a violation did occur and impose a penalty ranging from reduced grade, zero on the assignment, F in the course, probation, suspension, expulsion, etc. Sanctions of suspension or expulsion are reviewed automatically in a college hearing unless such a hearing is waived.
- Do I have the right to appeal a Departmental
Hearing?
Yes, both you and the instructor have equal right of appeal to a college-level Academic Honesty hearing panel made up of faculty and students. If you are found in violation of the academic honesty policy at a departmental hearing and the recommended sanctions are suspension or greater, a college level hearing is required. You may waive the college level hearing if you elect to accept the decision of the department.
- What happens if I do not attend the
Departmental Hearing?
If you fail to attend the departmental hearing, the case against you may be decided in your absence. You would still have the option to appeal the departmental decision/sanction to a college level hearing.
- How should I decide whether to accept
or appeal a departmental sanction?
Students who admit to violating the academic honesty policy may find it not to their advantage to appeal a departmental decision to the college-level Academic Honesty panel because any disciplinary sanction assessed by the college-level panel will be reflected on the student’s permanent record. The Dean of Students Office is available to help students understand the process to make an informed decision.
- Suppose I violated the Academic Honesty
policy but I wish to appeal the penalty at the college level?
You may appeal the penalty to the college level,
but a college-level penalty (unlike a sanction assessed at the
departmental level) will be reflected on your permanent record
and may be reflected on your transcript.
- How can I get more information?
For the complete Academic Honesty Policy, refer to the
policy online at: http://www.uh.edu/provost/policies/uhhonesty_policy.html or
your Student Handbook (pages 9 through 14 of the 2007-2008 edition,
and on line [29.4 MB]).
You may also consult the Dean
of Students Office.
For student academic support:
Writing Center: http://www.uh.edu/writecen/
Learning Support Services: http://www.las.uh.edu/LSS/
- return to top -
|
