ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Academic dishonesty is defined as an action taken which gives a student an ill-gained advantage in any academic pursuit which would not have been available if left solely to the student’s own abilities and performance. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, assisting in cheating, plagiarism, theft or possession of examinations or other unauthorized class materials, knowingly furnishing false information to the University, altering or attempting to alter a grade or information on any University record, serving as or enlisting the assistance of a substitute during grading periods, altering documents, or any other improper behavior.

Plagiarism is defined as the failure to properly document all material from sources, published or otherwise, that is included in an essay, research paper, or other assignment. It includes actions such as quoting or paraphrasing without properly crediting the author, using the syntax of a source document in a paraphrase without significant modifications, and incorporating the ideas of another without attribution by standard documentation.

The University of West Alabama reserves the right to use electronic means to detect and help prevent plagiarism. By enrolling at UWA, students agree to have course documents submitted to www.Turnitin.com. All materials submitted to Turnitin.com will become source documents in Turnitin.com's restricted access database, solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism in such documents. Students may be required by instructors to individually submit course documents electronically to Turnitin.com. 

In instances where a faculty or staff member believes a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the student should be consulted to determine if the matter can be resolved. Following consultation with the student, if the faculty member believes an act of academic dishonesty has been committed and that punitive action is warranted, the matter should be referred to the Student Life Committee, in writing. The faculty member may also include a recommendation for possible disciplinary action consistent with those listed in accordance with the University Student Code of Conduct. In the case of determination of academic dishonesty related to a class assignment, punishment will first be imposed. The faculty member will then be authorized to conclude the matter by choosing from the following options:

1. Having the student rewrite the assignment, with or without a grade penalty

2. Giving the student an "F" for the assignment*

3. Giving the student a zero for the assignment

All students accused of academic dishonesty are afforded "due process" considerations and have the right to a hearing. Students who feel they have been unfairly accused may request a hearing by writing to the Dean of their College, who will in turn refer it to the Office of Student Life.

Students referred to the Student Life Committee and students requesting a hearing will be afforded appropriate "due process" considerations as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.

In addition, the faculty member may refer the matter to the Student Life Committee for possible disciplinary action.

The Student Life Committee has the following options:

1. No action

2. Reprimand (written or oral)

3. Probation

4. Suspension

5. Voluntary withdrawal

6. Expulsion.

7. Other penalties or conclusions as appropriate

*The weighting of some assignments may be such that the application of this option results in an "F" in the course.

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