Academic Integrity Information

The South Dakota Board of Regents has clearly defined those acts that constitute violations of academic integrity (BOR Policy 2:33 - Student Academic Misconduct and BOR Policy 3:4 - Student Code of Conduct). These acts include, but are not limited to cheating and plagiarism;full definitions are found in BOR 2:33 and BOR 3:4. These acts of dishonesty violate the ethical values the university works to instill in all members of the campus community. The instructor of record for each course is responsible for clarifying the academic integrity standards for that course within the course syllabus. 

Faculty should submit all alleged Academic Integrity violations through the online Advocate Reporting Form.  For more information on the Academic Integrity process and the Student Code of Conduct, please contact Assistant Dean of Students Dan Sepion.

Academic Misconduct Process

The process for resolution of academic misconduct cases is determined by BOR 2:33.  

A. Allegations  

  1. Allegations of Academic Misconduct must be reported by the Faculty Member to the Community Standards Office.  This reporting must be done online through the Advocate Online Submission Form and before any conversations/meetings with the student take place. Once submitted, the Community Standards Office will contact the Faculty Member and provide them with the Informal Resolution Document.
  2. At the Faculty Member’s request, Community Standards will inform the Faculty Member whether the Student has ever engaged in Academic Misconduct, which information may be used in determining any academic consequences should it be determined that the Student engaged in Academic Misconduct. The Faculty Member may request this information at any point throughout the informal resolution process.

B. Informal Resolution

  1. The Faculty Member will meet with the Student after submission to the Community Standards Office to discuss the allegations and attempt informal resolution. The Faculty Member may request the assistance or presence of the Student Conduct Officer for this meeting. 
  2. Informal resolution is reached where: The Student and the Faculty Member agree that there was no Academic Misconduct; or The Student admits to the Academic Misconduct, agrees to the academic consequence, and signs a form documenting the Student’s agreement. By signing the form, the Student waives the right to appeal both the fact that the Student engaged in the Academic Misconduct and the academic consequence.
  3. If informal resolution is reached, the Faculty Member must inform the Community Standards Office. If the informal resolution included the Student admitting to the Academic Misconduct, the Faculty Member must provide the signed form used to document the Student’s agreement to the Student Conduct Officer. During Informal Resolution, the Faculty Member may determine the academic sanction appropriate. The conduct sanction is determined by the Community Standards Office, which has the following standard sanctions: 1st violation results in one semester probation; 2nd violation results in an educational sanction (fee: $100), and one year probation; 3rd violation results in suspension of one full semester.
  4. If informal resolution is not reached, the Faculty Member must inform the Community Standards Office that the alleged Academic Misconduct was not informally resolved through this policy and will need to be addressed through Board Policy 3:4. 

C. Formal Resolution

  1. Once the Student conduct process through Board Policy 3:4 is concluded, the Faculty Member will receive a copy of the informal resolution documentation or the written findings that include the facts found to have occurred. 
  2. If the informal resolution documentation or the written findings include a determination that a violation of the Student Code for Academic Misconduct occurred, the Faculty Member may impose academic consequences for the Academic Misconduct.

D. Appeals  

  1. Informal Resolution Reached Through Board Policy 2:33: A Student may not appeal either the fact that the student engaged in the Academic Misconduct or the academic consequence imposed by the Faculty Member because the Student waives such appeal rights in agreeing to the informal resolution under this policy.
  2. Informal Resolution Not Reached Through Board Policy 2:33: A Student may appeal the academic consequence imposed by the Faculty Member pursuant to Board Policy 2:9.