Policy: Academic Misconduct Designation

ACADEMIC POLICY
Date Revised: 
Date Effective: February 9, 2021
Responsible University Official(s): Provost
Policy Owner: Faculty Senate
Policy Contact: Academic Standards Committee

POLICY STATEMENT

In all instances of academic misconduct, the process outlined in Chapter 14 of the UWS "Policies Governing Student Life," shall be followed.

Grade Calculations:
In a first instance of academic misconduct, where the resulting course grade is an "F" or other grade, that grade will forever be calculated within the student's semester and cumulative grade point averages and cannot be removed from that calculation.  In other words, the "F" or other grade resulting from academic misconduct is a permanent grade on the transcript.

Transcript Notations:
In a first and only instance of an "F" or other grade being issued in a course due to academic misconduct, no special designation will be made on the transcript to indicate academic misconduct. For the purpose of tracking through the Registrar's Office, a notation will appear on the student's unofficial transcript.  For a second and any subsequent instance of a student committing academic misconduct resulting in a grade of "F" for any course, the resulting grade shall also be permanent and included in grade point average calculations and shall be accompanied with a transcript notation of "Academic Misconduct" following the grade to indicate the grade resulted from academic misconduct.  The Registrar is responsible for the updating of transcripts in accordance with this policy.

Process:
A letter, template provided by Dean of Students Office, to inform the student and appropriate personnel of this disciplinary action, will be sent by the instructor to the Registrar, the student's academic advisor, the Dean of Students, the Dean of the College, and the Department Chair.  The letter to the student may be delivered in person or by regular, first class service by the U.S. Postal Service to the address listed with the University by the student.  The student then has the right to appeal the sanction, as per UWS Chapter 14; no misconduct grade will become permanent until a student's appeal has been adjudicated, or the deadline to file an appeal has passed without an appeal being filed.

It is not appropriate to allow a student to withdraw from a course to avoid charges of academic misconduct.  In these instances, an instructor should not approve a student's request to withdraw from a course in which academic misconduct allegations are pending/in process/imminent.

The full Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures, including the appeal process, can be viewed at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/uws/14.

CONTACTS

Those designated to receive questions and feedback on the policy

HISTORY

Updated from March 14, 2012 Policy