HONOR CODE PROCEDURES GOVERNING STUDENTS

I. Jurisdiction

Each student understands, upon admission to the University, that they are required to uphold the provisions of the University of Denver Honor Code. These procedures apply to all students at the University of Denver, whether graduate or undergraduate, full- or part-time. Violations of the Honor Code include, but are not limited to, taking or attempting to take, or assisting someone else in taking or attempting to take, the following actions:

• PLAGIARISM: representation of another’s work or ideas as one’s own in academic submissions.
• CHEATING: actual or attempted use of resources not authorized by the instructor(s) for academic submissions.
• FABRICATION: falsification or creation of data, research or resources to support academic submissions.

II. Reporting of Violations

Every member of the University community is strongly encouraged to report apparent violations of the Honor Code to the appropriate faculty member, academic unit, and/or the Office of Citizenship & Community Standards (CCS).

Before initiating a formal complaint, an individual may consult with CCS to request anonymous advice as to the nature of the procedures, information about available options, or on any other relevant matter. No records are kept of such consultations.

A faculty member who believes that there is reasonable suspicion that a student may have committed of a violation of the Honor Code should contact CCS to ascertain whether the student in question has previously been sanctioned for academic dishonesty.

III. Disposition of Violations

Because academic dishonesty is both an academic and behavioral issue, students who violate the Honor Code are subject to dual consequences; these are referred to as academic and disciplinary sanctions. The normal process is for the affected faculty member or academic unit to determine academic sanctions and then refer the student to CCS for potential disciplinary action; however, academic sanctions may be deferred until a decision on disciplinary sanctions has been reached.

Academic sanctions are those assessed by an individual faculty member and/or an academic unit and which relate to the student’s standing within that course and/or unit. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Failure of an assignment.
• Failure of a course.
• Termination from a graduate program.

Recommendations for faculty regarding potential academic consequences may be found in the Guidelines for Faculty on Student Plagiarism.

Disciplinary sanctions are those assessed by the Conduct Review Board (CRB) and which relate to the student’s standing within the University as a whole. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Disciplinary probation.
• Suspension from the University.
• Expulsion from the University.

Details on disciplinary procedures and sanctions can be found in the Code of Student Conduct.

When academic dishonesty is suspected, the faculty member and/or representative(s) of the academic unit shall discuss these suspicions with the student in question and then come to a determination regarding appropriate academic sanctions. The exact process by which this is done is left to the faculty member or academic unit.

The faculty member or academic unit should submit an academic dishonesty report form (ADRF) to inform CCS of any Honor Code violation and the academic sanctions imposed (if any). CCS will then determine what disciplinary action may be appropriate under the Code of Student Conduct, taking into consideration the nature of the violation, the student’s previous disciplinary record, and the recommendations of the faculty member or academic unit.

IV. Appeals

Decisions made by a faculty member or an academic unit regarding academic sanctions may be appealed according to the academic grievance procedures outlined in the Undergraduate Bulletin or the Graduate Studies Policy Manual.

Decisions made by the CRB regarding disciplinary sanctions may be appealed directly to the Associate Provost for Academic Resources. Appeals will only be granted in the following circumstances:

• The existence of procedural errors so substantial that the accused was denied a fair hearing;
• A finding of fact made in the original hearing clearly not supported by the facts presented;
• Presentation of new and significant evidence which was not reasonably available at the time of the initial hearing; and/or
• The imposition of a sanction that is arbitrary and capricious.

Appeals of disciplinary sanctions must be submitted in writing, and received by CCS no later than five school days from the date of the CRB hearing. Should no appeal be received by this date, this decision will be considered final.

Once received, appeals of disciplinary sanctions shall be considered by the Associate Provost for Academic Resources and two faculty members appointed for such purpose, one by the Faculty Senate and the other by the Provost. The appointments of these faculty members shall generally extend for one academic year.

V. Records

All records and files of violations of the Honor Code will be kept with CCS in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct.