Student Rights and Responsibilities

Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is designed to promote responsible behavior for all students consistent with the values and welfare of the Florida Polytechnic University community. It exists to define the behavioral rights and responsibilities of University Students and Student Organizations. The Code of Conduct fosters and enhances the academic mission of the University as well as protects the rights of all University students, faculty, and staff.

For the most current version of the Student Code of Conduct see FPU 3.006.

The student has the right to:

(a) A presumption that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct has not occurred.

(b) Be free from self-incrimination. However, the rights and rules of evidence or procedure in a civil or criminal proceeding do not apply to the Student Conduct Review Process.

(c) Be informed of and receive just and unbiased treatment under the Policies of the University, in its courses, in its residential life, and in its extracurricular activities,

(d) Be informed of decisions impacting their status, advancement, or exercise of University benefits, and have the opportunity to appeal, through a defined process and framework, those decisions in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this Student Code of Conduct.

(e) Have past behavior considered only when related to the charge(s).

(f) Privacy, including the confidentiality of education records according to the Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). (g) Adequate notice of charges and a fair and impartial hearing under the Student Code of Conduct.

(h) Be secure in their persons, living quarters, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures by the University.

(i) Ready access to established University Policies.

The student has the responsibility to:

(a)Observe and comply with all University Policies and local, state, and federal laws;

b) Respect the rights and privacy of others;

(d) Maintain high standards of academic integrity and honor in all work submitted; and

(e)Conduct oneself in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of other members of the University community.

Academic Freedom and Responsibility

Also, all members of the University community have the responsibility to respect the academic freedom of others. The University administration and faculty shall fully maintain, encourage and protect academic freedom.

Academic freedom is essential to the University. It includes both freedom of thought and expression, and it applies to teaching, research/creative activities, and professional, public and University service.

Academic freedom is accompanied by corresponding faculty and administration responsibilities, arising from the nature of the educational process. Faculty members are free to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research and creative expression and to speak freely on all matters of University governance without fear of University censorship, retaliation or discipline.

Students also play an important role in academic freedom. Students have the right and are encouraged to engage in inquiry and discussion; to exchange thought and opinion; and to speak, write, and print freely on any subject.

All members of the University community have the responsibility to respect the academic freedom of others. Please see FPU-5.001 Academic Freedom and Responsibility policy to read in its entirety.

Academic Integrity

In addition to the Student Code of Conduct, The Academic Integrity Regulation mandates that all students commit to the highest ethical standards in the academic process. For the most current version of the Academic Integrity Regulation, see FPU 5.005.

This regulation provides the processes to be followed when a student is alleged to have violated the Academic Integrity regulation and indicates the potential consequences and sanctions when a student is found responsible for such violation.

The University is an academic community. Its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. Essential to the fundamental purpose of the University is the commitment to the principles of truth and academic honesty. Accordingly, the Academic Integrity regulation is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld. While all members of the University share this responsibility, special responsibility for upholding the principle of academic honesty lies with the students. In order to maintain the integrity of the academic process, all students must commit to the highest ethical standards in completion of all academic pursuits and endeavors. The faculty share with the administration the responsibility for educating students about the importance and principles of academic integrity. Violations of academic integrity diminish the value of your degree.

Sanctioning Guidelines for Academic Integrity

Application of sanctioning guidelines lie with the purview of the faculty. Faculty consider a range of factors when it comes to issuing sanctions including the severity of the infraction, the conditions surrounding the student and/or their infraction, as well as the level of the student: a freshman and a graduate student ought to be held to different standards, for example.

The following definitions and guidelines were originally developed by Behrend College and adapted by Penn State. These guidelines are based on the assumption that it is the student’s first offense, which is the assumption that all faculty should make when assigning a sanction. As explained in the policy, should this it be found that this is in fact not a first infraction, additional or more severe sanctions may be applied by the the Academic Integrity Hearing Committee.

Levels of Offense

MINOR OFFENSES: In general, minor offenses involve errors in judgment without a clear intent by the student to violate academic integrity.
MODERATE OFFENSES: In general, moderate offenses are unpremeditated dishonest acts that directly affect only one student.
MAJOR OFFENSES: In general, major offenses are premeditated dishonest acts or dishonest acts that directly affect the grade of other students.

Academic Integrity Sanctioning Guidelines

Violation	Considerations	Offense: Academic Sanction Range
Copying: examples include a student looking at another student’s work during an exam, a student copying an assignment from another student, students exchanging color-coded exams for the purpose of copying.	In determining severity, consider the weight of the exam or the assignment as related to total percentage of course grade, the frequency of copied answers or amount of copied material, whether or not it was premeditated or spontaneous, and any other significant factors.	Minor: Reduced exam or assignment grade to 0 for assignment or exam Moderate: 0 for assignment or exam to reduced course grade Major: F for course
Submitting Another Person’s Work As Your Own or Submitting Another Person’s Work Without Proper Citation: for example, a student submits work created by another person as his/her own; a student presents information indicating it is not the student’s own work but fails to properly cite the source. These are commonly referred to as plagiarism.	In determining severity, consider the weight of the assignment as related to the total percentage of course grade, whether or not the fabrication or plagiarism was a substantive portion of the assignment, and attempt to determine whether this was a clear case of intentional dishonesty or careless scholarship.	Minor: Redo the assignment with reduction in grade to 0 for assignment with or without redo of assignment Moderate: Reduction in final course grade in addition to 0 for assignment Major: F for course
Unauthorized Test Possession, Purchase, or Supplying: for example, when a student possesses an exam without the instructor’s permission; a student purchases or steals an exam; a student fails to return an exam which was requested to be returned; a student makes a copy of an exam; or sells an exam.	With rare exception, this form of misconduct is premeditated and deceptive with the intent to defraud. The manner in which the exam was obtained is critical in determining appropriate action. A student may access old exams and not be aware viewing the exam is a violation. In other instances, a student may have stolen an exam or is found in possession of an exam knowing it is not permitted.	Minor: 0 for exam Moderate: Reduction in course grade to F for course Major: F for course
Ghosting: for example, a student takes a quiz or exam or completes an exercise or assignment on behalf of another student; NOTE: it is possible that students involved in such violations may not be enrolled in the instructor’s class and there is not an option to assign an academic sanction. In such instances the instructor should notify the Office of Student Conduct or Student Conduct Designee.	Although this form of misconduct is inherently premeditated and deceptive, severity should be assessed based on the percentage of course grade the violation entails. Faculty may also consider the nature of the deception - for example, signing in for another student in order to gain class participation points vs. having another student complete an assignment or take an exam for a student	Minor (primarily used when ghosting was for participation points or in-class low credit assignment): 0 for participation points; 0 for assignment to reduced grade for course participation credit. Moderate: 0 for quiz or exam and reduction in course grade Major: F for course
Altering Exams or Assignments: for example, a student changes incorrect answers and requests a favorable grade adjustment when instructor returns graded assignments/exams for review; a student changes the letter and/or numerical grade on an exam/assignment after the instructor has assigned the final grade.	This form of misconduct is deceptive with the intent to defraud and may also affect the credibility of an instructor. Consideration should be given to whether the act was premeditated or spontaneously committed out of panic. In determining severity, consider the extent to which the exam or assignment was altered, the weight of the exam as related to total percentage of course grade, and other significant factors.	Minor: 0 for exam or assignment Moderate: Reduced course grade to F in course Major: F for course
Improper Use of Technology: for example, a student possesses and/or uses a cell phone when one is not permitted; a student uses software or electronic aides such as calculators, computers, handheld devices, etc. when not permitted by the instructor.	When sanctioning, consider if the technology was used for misconduct. Also consider whether the misconduct was premeditated, the impact it potentially had on student’s course grade, and the level of dishonest activity in which the student engaged.	Minor: Warning to Reduction in assignment or exam grade Note: When students possess an unauthorized electronic device but there appears no evidence of intended use, a faculty may issue a warning and not reduce the student’s course grade Moderate: Reduced course grade Major: F for course
Facilitating Academic Dishonesty by Others: for example, a student permits another student to copy an exam or assignment; a student provides a completed assignment to another student and allows the student to submit it as his or her own; a student writes another student’s paper or completes another student’s assignment and then provides it to the student so they may receive credit; a student shares information about an exam with another student who has not taken the exam. NOTE: it is possible that students involved in such violations may not be enrolled in an instructor’s class and the instructor may not have the option to assign an academic sanction. In such instances the instructor should notify the Office of Student Conduct or Student Conduct Designee.	For students who are enrolled in the class, consider the impact their actions had on the grade of the student they were assisting in measuring the severity of the violation.	Minor: Reduced assignment grade for what the student submitted Moderate: 0 for assignment student submitted Major: Reduced grade in course
Submitting Work Previously Used Without Permission: for example, a student submits work completed previously for another course or assignment without the instructor’s permission. *This violation assumes that the work submitted is the student’s own work, submitted on more than one previous occasion.	Students appear to be less informed regarding this form of academic dishonesty, and in some cases, you may find that this breach occurs to some degree in an inadvertent manner as compared to other forms of academic dishonesty.	Minor: Warning and Redo assignment to Redo Assignment and reduced grade for assignment Moderate: Redo assignment with reduced grade to 0 for assignment Major: 0 for assignment to F in the course
Unauthorized Collaboration: for example, working with another student on an assignment or exam.	When sanctioning, consider whether or not the misconduct was premeditated, the impact it potentially had on the student’s course grade, and the level of dishonest activity in which the student engaged. Faculty may wish to consider a more serious sanction when students were explicitly instructed not to collaborate	Minor: Redo assignment. Reduced assignment or exam grade Moderate: 0 for assignment or exam Major: 0 for assignment or exam and reduction in course grade
Unauthorized Use of Study Aids: for example, using or possessing crib sheets; pre-programming an electronic device to provide solutions; using notes, texts, etc. without the permission of the instructor.	When sanctioning, consider whether or not the misconduct was premeditated, the impact it potentially had on student’s course grade, and the level of dishonest activity in which the student engaged.	Minor: Reduced exam grade if determined use is limited to failure of exam Moderate: Failure of exam to reduced course grade Major: F for course