Academic Integrity
Illinois Central College expects all students to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity. This includes, but is not limited to, submitting original work, properly citing sources, and refraining from plagiarism, cheating, or other forms of academic dishonesty. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the principles of academic integrity as outlined in the institution's policies. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated, will result in disciplinary action, and may impact the student's academic record. By enrolling at Illinois Central College, students agree to uphold these standards and contribute to a culture of academic honesty and excellence.
Matters relating to academic honesty or contrary action such as cheating, plagiarism, or giving unauthorized help on examinations or assignments may result in an instructor giving a student a failing grade for the assignment, test, or for the course.
Based on the severity of the offense, the instructor may recommend failure for an assignment or failure for the course. Multiple instances of academic misconduct could include sanctions up to dismissal from the College.
A common form of academic dishonesty is plagiarism. This is the use (whether deliberate or unintentional) of an idea or phrase from another source without proper acknowledgment of that source. The risk of plagiarism can be avoided in written work by clearly indicating, either in footnotes or in the paper itself, the source of any other major or unique idea which the student could not or did not arrive at independently. These precise indications of sources must be given regardless of whether the material is quoted directly or paraphrased. Direct quotations, however brief, must be enclosed in quotation marks as well as being properly documented.
Another form of plagiarism is copying or obtaining information from another student. Submission of written work, such as laboratory reports, computer programs, or papers which have been copied from the work of other students, with or without their knowledge and consent, is plagiarism. Obtaining an examination prior to its administration or use of unauthorized aides during the examination are clear acts of academic dishonesty. It is also academically dishonest to knowingly aid another student in performing an act of academic dishonesty.
Thus, in cases of inappropriate collusion on academic work, the provider of inappropriately used material is guilty of academic dishonesty, as well as the actual perpetrator.
Listed below are examples which may involve confusion on the student’s part, especially freshmen who are accustomed to working on projects in laboratories with fellow students in high school.
Sharing information in the preparation of a report or paper, unless approved by instructor.
Turning in the same paper for two different courses with slight modification.
The illegitimate uses of written material such as laboratory reports and computer programs or the obtaining of information from other students while an examination is in progress.
In brief, any act which represents work not one’s own as one’s own is an academically dishonest act.
If a student is ever in doubt about an issue of academic dishonesty or has any hesitation about a contemplated course of action, the student should consult his or her instructors. The penalties for academic dishonesty can be very severe and can affect the entire educational experience at Illinois Central College.
Procedures
Student notified by instructor of academic integrity violation.
Instructor notifies the Dean of Academic Department and Dean of Students.
Notice is sent via ICC email from the Dean of Students to student and Code of Conduct proceedings are initiated if needed (see Student Code of Conduct).
First Offense – if found in violation, the violation is noted in the conduct database and the student is assigned an academic sanction by the instructor and, a plagiarism course by the Dean of Students. Academic sanction appeals will be heard by the Dean of the department.
Second Offense- If found in violation, the violation is noted in the conduct database, the student is assigned an academic sanction by the instructor, and the student is referred to the Code of Conduct [see Student Code of Conduct Overview page]. Academic sanction appeals will be heard by the Dean of the department.
Subsequent Offense(s) – Will initiate Code of Conduct.
Records
Documents that are created and maintained as part of the student conduct process are subject to the protections of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. Student conduct records will be maintained by the Dean for a minimum of seven years in accordance with the records retention guidelines of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.
Records of students who have been suspended, expelled, or who have unresolved cases or outstanding sanctions shall be retained indefinitely.
A student may request that the Dean eliminate an incident or incidents from his/ her student conduct record. This request must be in writing and must include the specific basis for the request. The request may not be submitted earlier than one year from the time of the original incident(s). The decision to eliminate a record will be based on the violation(s), the individual’s student conduct history, and evidence of appropriate behavior since the violation occurred. The decision of the Dean will be final.
Interpretation and Revision
Any question of interpretation regarding the Code will be referred to the Dean or a designee for final determination.
The Code may be periodically reviewed and amended as necessary under the direction of the Dean of Students.
Acknowledgments
Illinois Central College would like to acknowledge the following resources for the revision of this document:
Edward N. Stoner II, Model Code of Conduct
Student Codes of Conduct and related procedures from: Harper College, Joliet Junior College, and Waubonsee Community College