MSUM Student Honesty Policy
The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. In academic work, students are expected to present original ideas and give credit for their ideas of others. The value of a college degree depends on the integrity of the work completed by the student.
When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, the following actions may be taken: assign a failing grade to the assignment in question, or assign a failing grade for the course in which the student cheated. For informational purposes, instructors may choose to report the offense, the evidence, and their action to the Dean of their college, or the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor (or any other person) feels the seriousness of the offense warrants a different or additional penalty, the incident may be reported to the Student Conduct Committee through the Student Support Services Office. The Student Conduct Committee will follow procedures set out in the Student Conduct Code. After its review of the case, and fair and unbiased hearing, the Student Conduct Committee may take disciplinary action if the student is found responsible (see Student Conduct Code for details).
A student who has a course grade reduced by an instructor because of cheating or plagiarism, and who disputes the instructor’s finding, may appeal the grade, but only by using the Course Grade Appeal Policy, which states that the student must prove the grade was arbitrary, prejudicial, or in error.