Ordinance on Academic Rules and Regulations and their Violations

A student is in good standing if he or she is making normal progress toward a degree and has a satisfactory record in scholarship and conduct.
The academic year starts on the 1st of September of each year, and ends on the 31st of August of each year.

I) Admission to University

1. Persons who have a four year high school diploma or the equivalent thereof are eligible for admission to Dubrovnik International University. Exceptionally gifted individuals who do not hold the necessary diploma may be admitted in certain circumstances.
2. Admissions to Dubrovnik International University are open year-round. Admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee, headed by the Dean of Admissions of the Assistant to the Dean of Students for Admissions should the post of Dean of Admissions be vacant, based on submitted admissions materials. Upon receiving confirmation of admissions, the student confirms his or her enrollment through a nonrefundable down payment on their tuition.
3. Transfer to Dubrovnik International University from professional schools, other Universities, higher learning institutions and colleges is possible in certain cases. All such decisions are made by the Admissions Committee.

II) Advisors

Student Advisor
In their first year, all students of Dubrovnik International University are assigned a student advisor who will follow them throughout their education. A student advisor is typically a member of the faculty at the level of teaching assistant. Students are required to meet with their student advisor every two to three weeks, barring extraordinary circumstances.
Each student advisor will have access to records of their students, so as to monitor their overall academic progress.
Students are encouraged to seek advice, counseling and aid from their student advisors in all academic matters. Student advisors may also serve as the student’s counsel during all disciplinary or academic proceedings.

Academic Advisor
As students select a field of concentration they develop advising relationships with the relevant departmental representatives and faculty advisers in the areas of their independent work. Students thus normally select or are assigned to an academic advisor in a relevant area of study during the second semester of their first year, or at the start of their second year.

III) Graduation Requirements

In order to obtain an undergraduate degree from Dubrovnik International University, a student must successfully complete all required courses and an assigned number of elective courses as well as all independent and research work in due time. In total, the student must obtain 180 ECTS points to graduate. Furthermore, the student must be in good academic standing, and must have complied with all penalties imposed due to disciplinary or academic violation actions. Finally, the student must fully settle any outstanding debt to the University before final transcripts can be released.
In order to graduate, a student must have attained a cumulative Quality Point Index of 2.00 or higher.

IV) Course Load and Registration Statu

Undergraduate degree candidates are expected to be full-time.
Full-time academic status requires registration in courses that amount to 30 ECTS points per semester or 60 ECTS points per year, whether through a full course load of five classes per semester, or a combination of courses and independent research work. Students are also considered full-time if they are registered for a University overseas study program, or are involved in a study abroad program that meets the criteria of Dubrovnik International University. Students must complete a three-year residency either at Dubrovnik International University, or at approved study abroad programs. Though summer sessions, including summer study abroad, may fulfill or substitute some course requirements, they do not count toward fulfilling the residency requirement.
Student Status is confirmed by the Student Index. The student is awarded all privileges for the duration of their time at the University, provided they are in good standing. Expulsion or withdrawal from the University revokes all student privileges.
A student may suspend University studies during the course of military service, pregnancy and for up to one year from the birth of a child. If the student is father of the child, he may exercise the same privileges in place of the mother. The student may also suspend his or her status during times of prolonged illness. Please refer to clause (IX) for further information.
Some exceptions can be made for students who are exceptionally gifted professional athletes or artists. Such students should submit a written request to the Dean of Students. All cases shall be judged on an individual basis by University Officials.
Students in exceptionally high academic standing, who have achieved a QPI of 4.5 for each semester of enrollment, may be eligible for early graduation or substitution of courses for independent work. The student should submit a written request to the Dean of Students. University officials and the Student Senate shall consider each case on an individual basis, and reserve the right to cancel such privileges.

V) Registration Procedures

A student approved for and completing registration in a school of the University will be considered a student in that school during the session for which the student has enrolled, unless the student is approved to withdraw or is suspended or dismissed. No student registered in any school of the University shall at the same time be registered in any other school without the approval of the Dean of Students and the Rector.
Students are expected to pay their accounts according to University regulations. The University reserves the right to cancel the registration of any student during the semester if the student has not met University financial requirements.

VI) Attendance and Timely Completion of Assignments

Attendance at classes is restricted to those who are validly registered or who are present at the specific invitation of the instructor.
All students are expected to attend all classes and to complete all of their assignments in a timely fashion. All course requirements are to be completed no later than the date of the final examination. Absences may have an adverse effect on grades in a course, up to and including failure.
“Absence” is defined as the failure of a student to be present when the class roll is checked by the professor. Lateness may be listed as absence, since students may be refused admission to any class when late. Flagrant cases of absence that affect the student’s achievement of course objectives may necessitate withdrawal from the school.
Students absent for several days because of illness or emergency circumstances should notify both their professors and the Dean of Students. A prolonged absence may necessitate the student’s withdrawal from the University for the semester.

VII) Transfer of Credits

A student may take up to three classes in another institution outside regular study abroad programs. Typically, these classes would take place during the summer or in conjunction with a semester at DIU. The Dean of Students must approve all transfers of credits, and Dubrovnik International University must issue a written ruling that the course taken at an outside institution meets the requirements set forth by the University, including, but not limited to, work hours, materials used and conditions for passing.

VIII) Withdrawal from a Course

To withdraw from a course a student must first discuss the matter with their student advisor and the Dean of Students. The student is then required to inform the registry of the withdrawal. If a student does not complete a course for which the student is registered and from which the student has not officially withdrawn, a failure will be recorded for that course. Withdrawal must be approved by the 8th week of classes, or the student must be issued a grade in the course in question.
Students may not withdraw from required courses, but only electives. They are required to make up the missed ECTS points by increasing their course load the following semester, or by transferring credits from another institution.

IX) Taking a Leave of Absence or an Elective Leave of Absence

A student in good academic standing and not subject to disciplinary action may, on formal written request, be granted a leave of absence by the Dean of Students. For withdrawals or leaves during a semester, a partial refund of tuition may be available. Students are advised to contact the Secretary of the University about possible refunds. Refunds may not be possible in all cases, depending on the student’s standing, number of weeks completed in the semester, and other factors.
Students who have been granted a leave of absence from the University must apply to the Dean for re-admission at least six weeks before the next semester begins.

Medical Leave of Absence
A student can be granted a medical leave of absence from the University when the student’s health is impeding normal academic progress. Information about the student’s health status may be provided by the student’s health professional.
A prolonged illness that may warrant a medical leave of absence is defined as a continuous 60 day illness or a 90 day interrupted illness during the academic year, or a 15 day medical treatment or hospital stay during an exam period.
After considering the medical information, the student’s academic Dean will decide whether to grant the leave of absence and will inform the Registrar. Denial of a request for a medical leave of absence may be appealed in writing to the Provost, whose decision will be final.

At the Request of the University
In special circumstances the University may mandate a leave of absence if the student’s illness or behavior is life-threatening or so severely disruptive that it interferes with the academic pursuits and other activities of the academic community.
The student must contact in writing both the Dean of Students and the Secretary of the University to request re-enrollment at least four and not more than six weeks prior to the academic year. When a leave of absence has been granted for medical reasons, the University may require medical opinion and recommendations before reviewing the student’s request for readmission.

X) Withdrawing from the University

An honorable withdrawal will usually be granted, upon written request, to any student in good academic standing and not subject to disciplinary action. Students wishing to withdraw must complete the following steps:
1) notify the Office of the Dean of Students in person;
2) notify the Secretary of the University, in person if possible, when the student has received any financial assistance from the University;
3) consult with the Secretary of the University to be certain that the student’s financial records are in order. By act of registration, students accept the responsibility for charges of the entire semester, regardless of attendance in class and regardless of the method of payment used.

XI) Grades

The semester grade, which is indicated on the student’s transcript, is a combination of grades given for class work, tests, assigned papers or projects, seminar and work group performance, and the final examination.
When students wish to review their grades with a faculty member, the instructor is responsible for making available all relevant examinations, papers, and other items. Student work must be either returned directly to the student, or retained by the professor for a minimum of one calendar year.
Faculty should retain their grade books indefinitely.
Adjunct or visiting faculty who leave the University must deposit papers and exams with the Registrar’s Office.
It is a professional responsibility that faculty submit their grades according to the deadlines established by the University Registrar. Incidences of delinquency will be reported to the Dean of Students and the Provost.

Quality Grades
Grades are as follows:

Grade Description		Quality Points
5		5.00		Excellent
4		4.00		Good
3		3.00		Adequate
2		2.00		Minimum Passing
1		1.00		Failure

The quality points are obtained by multiplying the number of credits attempted by the value assigned to the grade earned. The Quality Point Index (QPI) is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted. With the prior approval of the Dean of Students, credits earned at another university may be applicable toward degree requirements. However, such transferred credits will not be computed in the student’s cumulative Quality Point Index.

Failing Courses
A degree candidate who fails any required semester course in a current major or minor must repeat and pass that course at Dubrovnik International University before graduation. Students cannot repeat for credit a course in which they earned a grade of D or better.
In the case of an elective course, the student must pass either the same course or substitute it with another course that is relevant to the area of study and carries the same requirements. Should the student wish to make up the elective course outside Dubrovnik International University, he or she must first obtain permission from the Dean of Students.

Incompletes
Students must complete all work in a course no later than the date of the final examination. In the case of illness or other grave reasons, the student will request permission from the Dean of Students to receive the provisional grade of N. No provisional grade except N may ever be given. Students requesting an N grade must process the N grade form in the Dean of Students by the last day of class in the semester. With the approval of the Dean of Students, a professor may give an N grade. Without such permission, professors must submit a letter grade from A through F. Unauthorized N grades are automatically converted to failures. When an N grade is granted, the course must be completed and the final grade submitted by the professor no later than the date agreed upon by the student, Dean of Students and Professor.

Grade Reports
The Registrar will mail Grade Reports to the student’s home address under the student’s name unless a student specifies otherwise. It is important to inform the Office of the Registrar of any change of address so that the Reports may be properly addressed.

Grade Changes
When a professor feels a grade change is justified (e.g., due to an error in recording or calculation), the professor will send a grade-change authorization form including the reasons for such a change, to the Dean of Students for approval. Professors cannot change final grades on the basis of additional work from an individual student, including the resubmission of papers.

Grade Appeals
When a student thinks that a given course grade is not justified, he or she must first discuss the grade on an informal basis with the professor of the course and their student advisor. Within the first twenty-one calendar days of the next semester, the student and professor should discuss the grade. (Faculty may be unavailable between semesters. For spring and summer classes, the next semester is the fall semester.) After having discussed the grade with the faculty member, the student may consider a formal appeal of the grade.

1. Grounds for appeal. An error in grading procedures or inequity in the application of policies stated in the course syllabus are grounds for an appeal. A disagreement with the professional judgment of the professor should not be the basis of an appeal or any resulting change of grade. The appeal process involves a thorough review, which could result in the decision that the grade was too low, or, if such an error or inequity was found to have benefited the student, that the grade was too high.
2. Initiating an appeal. If the student believes that there is reason for an appeal of the professor’s assigned grade, the student may make a formal written appeal to the Dean of Students. In the appeal letter, the student must state the grounds for the appeal and document any claims of grading error or inequities in as much detail as possible. The Dean must then notify the faculty member of the appeal and provide a copy of the formal request. Such an appeal must be filed within the first thirty calendar days of the semester after that in which the grade was assigned.
3. Informal resolution of the appeal. The Dean may try to resolve the appeal informally, but has no authority to change the grade assigned by the faculty member.
4. Resolution by a faculty committee. If the Dean does not resolve the appeal informally or if the Dean is the faculty member who assigned the original grade, he or she shall ask a committee of two impartial faculty members and the vice president to review the complaint and decide the issue. After hearing from the faculty member and the student (or determining that they are unavailable), and taking whatever other steps it deems necessary, the review committee shall decide whether to sustain the original grade, raise it, or lower it. The committee’s decision is final. The Dean must report to the student and the faculty member how the appeal has been concluded no later than sixty days after the beginning of the next semester.

XII) Suspension or Dismissal on Academic Grounds

In cases when a student fails a required course, he or she must take and pass that same course at Dubrovnik International University. Students should note that it may not be possible to take the course in the next semester. Should a student fail an elective course, he or she may substitute it with a different elective at any time.
Students may be suspended or permanently dismissed from the University because of unsatisfactory academic performance. Students who fail a course while on probation are eligible for suspension or dismissal as are those who fail two courses in a single semester or who accumulate a total of three failures while enrolled at Dubrovnik International University.
Should a student fail two or more courses in a single semester, he or she will be required to withdraw for the duration of one year. Upon their return, the student will be required to pass the previously failed courses, or in the case of electives, their equivalent, before being allowed to continue with the regular program of study.
The student will not receive a refund for any incomplete semester if he or she is required to withdraw from the University for academic reasons. However, upon returning, the student shall be responsible for paying only for the repeated courses before continuing with the regular program of study.
Before being asked to withdraw, the student must meet with a special Academic Standards Committee comprised of the Dean of Students, the Provost and the vice president. The student may present any testimony or argument to the committee at this time. All of the committee’s decisions will be final.

XIII) Final Examinations

Final examinations, whether they be in exam or essay form, must be completed at or by the date specified by the course instructor.
Final exams can carry no more than 40% of the final grade for each course.
All grades are final, and a student MAY NOT take or retake the final exam at any time other than that which is specified. However, in extraordinary circumstances, a student may ask the professor to postpone the exam. The professor and student must then seek written permission from the Dean of Students, whose decision is permanent and cannot be appealed. No exam can be postponed more than two times.
If the student has taken an exam, but is able to prove extreme physical or emotional illness or duress during the time of the examination, he or she may ask the professor for permission to retake the exam. The professor and student must seek written permission from the Dean of Students. The student is required to provide all medical and other necessary records and testimony in order to be granted an opportunity to re-take the exam. The Dean of Students is required to consult with the University Provost and Rector before rendering a final decision.
Student should note that re-taking an exam will only be permitted in the most extreme of circumstances.

XIV) Study Abroad

Approval
A student who wishes to apply courses taken on any overseas study program to a Dubrovnik International University degree must obtain approval, prior to departure, for the study program and for the specific courses to be taken. Each student should formulate a study proposal to be submitted for approval. Initial approval will be given by a faculty advisor. Final approval is given by the Dean of Students as well as the Dean of the student’s school.
If the language of instruction is not English, the student must also take a language examination through a DIU-specified channel.
If students need or want to change their selection of courses after arrival at the overseas location, approval for the changes must be obtained from the Dean of Students and the Dean of the student’s school.

Admission
Once the necessary approvals have been granted, a student should apply directly to appropriate office for admission. Dubrovnik International University will use all resources at its disposal to aid the student in obtaining admission to a study abroad program. In cases where DIU sponsors an exchange program with the school in question, students should apply through the DIU Registrar’s office.

Registration and Enrollment Status
In the case of DIU-sponsored programs, an admitted student should register for the overseas program or, in some cases, for the individual courses. An admitted student is considered enrolled for a full-time course of study during the period spent abroad.
A student who wants to participate in a program not sponsored by Dubrovnik International University must receive written permission from the Dean of Students in order to receive credit for academic work completed abroad in advance of taking the course. A student who is not approved and chooses to attend such program must take a leave of absence. If approved, the student will remain enrolled at Dubrovnik International University in Independent Consortial status. The student will be required to register for sufficient credits to be regarded as a full-time student and will be certified as a full-time student by DIU during study abroad. Once the student has successfully completed the program abroad, his or her transcript will show a DIU-approved independent study abroad notation.

Credits, Grades, and Residency
Credit towards the undergraduate degree will be awarded for all previously approved courses, provided the courses have been successfully completed with a grade equivalent to at least a 2, and provided the student presents acceptable documentation from the host university or sponsoring institution. A maximum of 30 ECTS points per semester may be applied to DIU degrees from overseas programs.
If a student has successfully completed a course of study that is considered to be a full course of study for local students at the host university, full credit (30 ECTS points per semester) will be awarded for the overseas program. Credits may be applied towards general education requirements, the major or concentration, the minor, or counted as electives, at the discretion of the appropriate Dubrovnik International University academic officers.
In the case of DIU-sponsored programs, all grades will be recorded on the student’s academic transcript as reported to Dubrovnik International University by the overseas program officers. In the case of students studying on other programs during the summer, only course titles and credits (not grades) will be recorded on the transcript.
In most cases, grades earned overseas will not be computed in the student’s cumulative Quality Point Index. Work completed on overseas study, including summer study abroad, does not count toward fulfilling the residency requirement.

Violations of Academic Rules and Regulations

The students at Dubrovnik International University assume full responsibility for honesty in written assignments, examinations, group work and homework problems. Every student acknowledges the obligation to report any suspected academic violation that he or she has observed, both within and outside class.

I) Jurisdiction over Undergraduates for Violations
of Academic Rules and Regulations

Jurisdiction over violations of academic rules and regulations rests with the Disciplinary Committee. The committee shall deal with all cases involving, but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, failure to complete a course and behavioral problems within an academic or lecture setting.
When a report of a suspected academic violation is received, the Disciplinary Committee immediately conducts an investigation. If the investigation indicates that it is warranted, the full Disciplinary Committee is convened and a confidential hearing is held. If the student in question is acquitted, all records of the hearing are destroyed. If a student is found guilty, the committee recommends an appropriate penalty to the Dean of Students. Normally, a student found guilty of violating the academic guidelines can expect to fail a particular assignment, fail the course in question or be suspended from the University for one or two years. A second offense will result in expulsion. Censure may be added to all penalties to underscore the seriousness of the violation.

II) General Requirements in Regard to Examinations

Procedures during the course of an examination are determined by the faculty member present. Students may not leave the examination room without the specific permission of the faculty member. Such permission must be granted uniformly; that is, if one student is allowed to leave the room, no other may be denied such permission upon request. Students may not take their examinations with them outside of the examination room. Students are advised to sit one seat apart from other students, to refrain from bringing notes and books into the examination room, and if possible, to avoid sitting near those with whom they have studied. Laptop computers as well as hand-held electronic communication devices (e.g., cell phones, Blackberries, etc.) are forbidden in final examination rooms. Additionally, students may not wear headphones attached to audio devices during examinations. The faculty member has the responsibility to make sure the examinations are turned in by students at the appropriate time.

III) Academic Violations during Examinations

Academic violations shall consist of any attempt to receive assistance from written or printed aids, or from any person or papers, or of any attempt to give assistance, whether the one so doing has completed his or her own work or not. This rule holds both inside and outside of the examination room. Other violations include, but are not limited to, any attempt to gain an unfair advantage in regard to an examination, such as tampering with a graded exam or claiming another’s work to be one’s own.
Violations shall also consist of obtaining or attempting to obtain, previous to any examinations, copies of the examination papers or the questions to appear thereon, or to obtain any illegal knowledge of these questions.
Termed perjury, lying before the committee or purposely misleading the committee shall also constitute a violation.

IV) General Requirements for the Acknowledgment
of Sources in Academic Work

In order to prevent any misunderstanding in terms of plagiarism, students are expected to study and comply with the following basic requirements. If you have any questions about when and how to cite your sources, ask the course instructor. An important general rule is this: if you are unsure whether or not to acknowledge a source, always err on the side of caution and completeness by citing rather than not citing.

Quotations
Any quotations, however small, must be placed in quotation marks or clearly "indented" beyond the regular margin. Any quotation must be accompanied (either within the text or in a footnote) by a precise indication of the source identifying the author, title, place and date of publication (where relevant), and page numbers. Any sentence or phrase which is not the original work of the student must be acknowledged.

Paraphrasing
Any material which is paraphrased or summarized must also be specifically acknowledged in a footnote or in the text. A thorough rewording or rearrangement of an author’s text does not relieve one of this responsibility. Occasionally, students maintain that they have read a source long before they wrote their papers and have unwittingly duplicated some of its phrases or ideas. This is not a valid excuse. The student is responsible for taking adequate notes in order to prevent paraphrasing.

Ideas and Facts
Any ideas or facts which are borrowed should be specifically acknowledged in a footnote or in the text, even if the idea or fact has been further elaborated by the student. Some ideas, facts, formulas, and other kinds of information which are widely known and considered to be in the “public domain” of common knowledge do not always require citation. (Dates of events, for example, are commonly considered to be general public knowledge.) The criteria for common knowledge vary among disciplines; students in doubt should consult a member of the faculty.
Occasionally, a student in preparing an essay has consulted an essay or body of notes on a similar subject by another student. If the student has done so, he or she must state the fact and indicate clearly the nature and extent of his or her obligation. The name and class of the author of an essay or notes which are consulted should be given, and the student should be prepared to show the work consulted to the instructor, if requested to do so.

Footnotes and Bibliography
All the sources that have been consulted in the preparation of an essay or report should be listed in a bibliography, unless specific guidelines (from the academic department or instructor) request that only works cited be so included. However, the mere listing of a source in a bibliography shall not be considered a “proper acknowledgment” for specific use of that source within the essay or report; a footnote or endnote must also appear after the information or quotation from that source. Neither shall the use of a footnote at the end of a sentence or paragraph in which only minor word changes have been made from the original source be considered “proper acknowledgment.” The extent of indebtedness to the author must be made clear.

Electronic and Other Sources
The requirement to acknowledge sources is not limited to printed material such as books or journal articles. Information is now readily available through many newer media, including text and images on the World Wide Web, CD-ROM, and electronic mail. Information or quotations from any of these sources must be properly cited; ask your course instructor for guidance on how to cite such sources. At a minimum, acknowledge any information, text or image from the World Wide Web by noting the name and author of the site (if available), the Internet address, and the date you accessed the site.

Problem Sets, Group Work, and Homework
In many courses, students work in pairs or in larger groups. In those cases where individual reports are submitted based on work involving collaboration, proper acknowledgment of the extent of the collaboration must appear in the report. In those cases where there are two or more signatories to a submitted report, each student’s signature is taken to mean that the student has contributed fairly to the work involved and understands and endorses the content of the report. If for any reason, a set of observations or calculations has been invalidated or left incomplete, permission must be granted by the instructor to obtain the data from other sources and those sources must be specifically acknowledged in the report. Make sure you understand the rules of collaboration in any course by asking the instructor.

Multiple Submission
Under certain conditions, the student may be permitted to rewrite an earlier work or to satisfy two academic requirements by producing a single piece of work more extensive than that which would satisfy either requirement on its own. In such cases however, the student must secure in writing, prior permission of each instructor. In cases where a previously submitted work, or a portion of it, is submitted in its original or revised form to another instructor, the student must also submit the original work with the revised version. If a single extended work has been written for more than one course, that fact must be clearly indicated at the beginning of the essay.

Oral Reports
Students required to submit written notes for oral reports must clearly acknowledge any work that is not original, in accordance with the requirements stated above.

Standard Forms of Reference
Dubrovnik International University requests students to use the standards of the American Psychological Association when citing all works. The University will issue a guide to APA citations to all students at the start of the academic year. Students are expected to study, learn and follow instructions of the guide in all written works.

V) Academic Violations in Regards to
Acknowledgement of Outside Sources

With regard to essays, reports, problem sets, or any other written work submitted to fulfill an official academic requirement, the following are considered academic infractions:

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is defined as the use of any outside source without proper acknowledgment. “Outside source” means any work, published or unpublished, by any person other than the student.

Unauthorized Multiple Submission
The failure to obtain prior written permission of the relevant instructors to submit any work that has been submitted in identical or similar form in fulfillment of any other academic requirement at any institution. Students may not resubmit either their own or another individual’s work.

False Citation
The attribution to, or citation of, a source from which the material in question was not, in fact, obtained.

False Data
The submission of data or information that has been deliberately altered or contrived by the student or with the student’s knowledge, including the submission for re-grading of any academic work, either from the student or from another individual.
Any aid knowingly given to another in committing any of the infractions described above, or aid given contrary to instructions provided by the course instructor, will also be considered a violation.

VI) Oral Presentations

Oral examinations and presentations are held to the same code of conduct as written work and examinations. Students may use all materials specifically permitted by the instructor. However, use of materials banned by the professor or instructor and the appropriation of another individual’s work or ideas as one’s own are considered academic violations by the University and as such as subject to investigation and review by the Disciplinary Committee.

VII) Transcription or Publication of Course-Related Materials

Students may not engage in the publication, sale, or distribution, online or by any other means, of abstracts or transcriptions of the lectures or required reading in any course of instruction in the University.
This regulation is not intended to preclude situations in which students may act as assistants to instructors who are themselves preparing lectures or other course-related materials, either for informal distribution (without sale) to members of a particular course or department, or for formal publication and sale by a publisher.

VIII) Disciplinary Committee Procedure

The procedure of the Disciplinary Committee is outlined in the Ordinance on the Disciplinary Committee. For an example of how a disciplinary hearing for academic infraction might proceed, please turn to “Regulations, Rights and Responsibilities.”

Student Defense
The only adequate defense for a student accused of an academic violation is that his or her actions did not, in fact, constitute a violation. In determining whether an academic violation has occurred or the severity of such a violation, the committee may take into account whether the student should have reasonably understood that his or her actions were in violation of University policy and/or exam room procedures. Neither the defense that the student was ignorant of the regulations concerning the exam nor the defense that the student was under pressure at the time the violation was committed is considered an adequate defense.

Penalties
If a person is found guilty, he or she is informed of the punishment, which is, at the committee’s discretion, a failure in the assignment or class in question, a suspension, or in the case of a second offense, permanent expulsion. The committee shall also have recourse, in the presence of extenuating circumstances, to probation up to three years, which becomes a part of the student’s permanent record. Only the Provost of the University may alter the final penalty. The penalty levied by the Disciplinary Committee may not be increased upon appeal. If the Provost determines that a penalty of the Disciplinary Committee should be reduced, then the Provost shall set out the new penalty. However, in appealed cases where the Provost’s decision is met with disagreement from a majority of the University Senate, only the University president may decide whether or not to implement a reduction in penalty.
The chair or the secretary of the committee informs the student promptly of the decision. If a penalty is imposed, special effort is made in this discussion to ensure that the student fully understands why the penalty was imposed and its nature and consequences. The student has the right to receive a copy of the summary report of the proceedings upon request.
In determining the seriousness of the offense, the Disciplinary Committee will consider whether the student ought reasonably to have understood that his or her actions were in violation of University regulations. If the committee concludes that this threshold has been met, the penalty will normally be the failure of the course in questions, one year’s suspension or required withdrawal from the University. While the failure to fulfill the general requirements for acknowledgment of sources in academic work may not be determined to reach this level of seriousness, any such failure will be considered an academic infraction and will normally result in a disciplinary penalty.
Under normal circumstances, when a violation requiring suspension occurs during the fall term, the convicted person or persons shall not be eligible to return until the following fall term. When a violation requiring suspension occurs during the spring term, the convicted person or persons shall not be eligible to return until the following spring term. If a senior is involved in a violation during the spring term, the student’s degree may be withheld until the spring of the following year. Only the University Provost may review the final penalty.
Under extreme, exceptional circumstances, the committee may allow a student to complete the term in which the violation occurred and be removed from the University for the following two semesters. In such cases the Disciplinary Committee would recommend that the student receive a failing grade in the course in question.
Pending action on the charges by the committee or pending an appeal, the student may remain on campus, attend classes, and make use of all University facilities, except for reasons relating to the student’s physical or emotional safety or well-being, or for reasons relating to the safety of other members of the University community or of University property. The student should understand that if the committee’s decision proves adverse, or if an appeal proves unsuccessful, the decision of the committee will normally be considered effective as of the date of the original decision. In cases adjudicated prior to the last day of classes, if the final decision is a dismissal from the University (i.e., suspension, required withdrawal, or expulsion), obtaining credit for the semester will be at the discretion of the committee. Pending either a hearing or the student’s decision about whether to appeal a dismissal from the University or the withholding of the degree and while an appeal is in process, the student’s University transcript will bear the notation: “Status Under Review.” Should the student decide not to appeal a dismissal or the withholding of the degree or should an appeal not result in an alteration of the committee’s decision to dismiss the student or withhold his or her degree, the registrar will record the fact of the penalty on the student’s transcript under a date when the committee reached its decision.

Seriousness of the Offense
Academic infractions are always considered a serious matter, but will be considered especially serious if:
1. The student has submitted a paper prepared by another person or agency.
2. The student has on his or her record a previous conviction for another serious violation.
3. The infraction includes the theft of another student’s work, even if the paper or assignment is returned after use, or consulted without being removed from the other student’s room or from a public or private room or from an electronic online location such as a website where work has been placed.

Appeal
An appeal of a decision of the Disciplinary Committee should be directed to the University Senate. Such appeals can only be made on the grounds of procedural unfairness or harmful bias.
A student may appeal to the University Senate, seeking a review of a decision or penalty on the grounds that (1) there exists substantial relevant information that was not presented, and reasonably could not have been presented, to the Disciplinary Committee, or (2) the imposed penalty does not fall within the range of penalties imposed for similar misconduct. The purpose of such an appeal is not to initiate a review of substantive issues of fact, or a new determination of whether a violation of rules has occurred. If the Senate concludes after such a review that an additional hearing is warranted, the original hearing body will normally perform these functions. Also, if the Senate determines that a penalty of the Disciplinary Committee should be altered, the Senate will make a recommendation to the Provost, describing the reasons for the proposed modification, who in turn decides whether or not to implement the recommendation. However, in appealed cases where the Provost’s decision is met with disagreement from a majority of the University Senate, only the University president may decide whether or not to implement a reduction in penalty.
A penalty cannot be increased on appeal.
The deadline for filing either such appeal is one week from the date of decision by the Disciplinary Committee.

IX) Records of Proceedings

Confidential records of all proceedings of the University Senate and of the actions of the Disciplinary Committee and the deans are maintained in the offices of the Secretary of the University. The use of these documents is restricted according to the rules and procedures concerning the confidential nature of student records.
Disciplinary procedures normally involve only the student and the University. Generally, the student’s family is not informed while disciplinary procedures are under way. When, however, in the judgment of the University the welfare of the student or the community warrants communication, family members may be contacted during the disciplinary process. All disciplinary decisions resulting in serious penalties (especially, but not exclusively, withholding of degree, suspension, required withdrawal, and expulsion) will be communicated to the student’s family or other legal guardian, unless the student has before the commencement of the term in question filed a statement certifying that he or she is not financially dependent as defined by the federal tax laws.