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Hardin-Simmons University 2018-2019
Formal Measures
Step 3. If no resolution occurs at the department level (Step
2), the student then submits a written petition to the dean of
the area. If the complaint is against a dean, the complaint will
go to the Provost. The student’s letter of petition must include
a straightforward narrative (one to three pages in length)
detailing (a) the circumstances surrounding the contested
grade or course-related concern, (b) reasons why the student
believes the complaint is warranted, and (c) what possible
outcome or resolution, from the student’s perspective, will
resolve the issue at hand.
If the grievance is a grade appeal, then all graded projects in
the class—tests, essays, projects, etc.—that are in the
student’s possession must be submitted along with the cover
letter along with the student’s personal record of attendance
in the class.
Upon the dean’s notification that a student has filed a formal
grievance, the department head forwards a written summation
of the matter to the dean, along with a recommendation for a
resolution to the problem. (If no department head exists, or if
the department head is a disputant, then a letter from the
department head is not necessary.)
Step 4. In writing, the dean apprises the professor of the
course under dispute regarding the student’s grievance and
provides a summary of the points of concern.
Step 5. The professor submits a written response to the
student’s grievance in a straightforward narrative (one to three
pages in length) detailing his or her own account of (a) the
circumstances surrounding the contested grade or course-
related concern, (b) reasons why the professor believes the
complaint either warranted or unwarranted, and (c) what
possible outcome or resolution, from the professor’s
perspective, will resolve the issue at hand.
If the grievance is a grade appeal, then the professor appends
the student’s projects in the professor’s possession, grades
on all work done in the course, the student’s attendance
record in the class, and a copy of the class syllabus with the
contested policy clearly marked.
Step 6. The dean will meet with each party separately, or
jointly, to seek a viable solution.
Step 7. If no solution can be reached with Step 6, then
(a) a formal Grade Appeal goes to arbitration before the
Academic Grievance Committee. The dean submits all
materials involved up to this point, along with a written
recommendation for a solution to the problem to the
committee.
Membership of the Academic Grievance Committee: The
committee includes three professors from different academic
areas with one specified to the chair and two senior students
with grade point averages of at least 3.0. The chair of the
committee will schedule meetings and preside during
deliberations.
Neither the professor nor the student will have counsel at the
meetings.
Duties of the Academic Grievance Committee: The committee
will review materials submitted by both student and professor
before coming together in session and convene at a time
convenient for all involved for the purpose of hearing both
parties present their cases. Committee members will then
hold an executive session to reach a decision. The chair of
the committee will inform the student, the faculty member, and
the Provost of their decision in writing. If a grade is to be
changed, the Provost will see that the proper forms are
submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The ruling of this
committee is final with respect to grade appeals.
(b) a formal Course-Related Concern goes directly to the
Provost and Chief Academic Officer for resolution. The dean
submits all materials involved up to this point, along with a
written recommendation for a solution to the problem to the
Provost, who will then review materials submitted by both
student and professor before scheduling a time, convenient
for all involved, for the purpose of hearing both parties present
their cases. The Provost, at his or her own discretion, may
seek additional counsel as appropriate. The ruling of the
Provost is final.
Academic Integrity Policy
Students are expected
to do their own academic work;
therefore, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Faculty
and students are encouraged to take an aggressive approach
to combating acts of inappropriate academic behavior.
Academic dishonesty occurs when a student submits the work
of someone else as his/her own or has special information for
use in an evaluation activity that is not available to other
students in the same activity.
Students who observe or
become aware of violations of academic integrity are urged to
report these violations to the professor in whose course the
dishonest acts occur.
Examples include but may not be limited to the following:
1. Cheating on an examination:
a) Copying from another student’s examination.
b) Possessing or using during an examination
material not authorized by the person giving the
exam.
c) Collaborating with or seeking aid from another
student during an exam without permission from
the instructor.
d) Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing,
transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the
contents of an unadministered examination.
e) Substituting for another student or permitting
another student to substitute for one’s self to
take a test.
f) Obtaining an unadministered test or information
about an unadministered test.
2. Plagiarism is the appropriation, buying, receiving as a gift,
or obtaining by any means another person’s work and the
unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it as one’s
own work. This could include the failure to specifically cite
sources.
Penalties
Penalties may range from dismissal from the University to a
lesser penalty.
If the penalty is an F for the course in which
the violation occurred, the F will count in the computation of
the student’s GPA even if the course is repeated.
No student who has violated the Academic Integrity Policy will
be allowed to graduate from Hardin-Simmons University with
honors.
Procedure for Violation
1. At the point of discovery, the instructor shall inform the
student of the alleged violation of academic integrity and hear
his/her explanation of the circumstances. If the instructor
determines there is no violation, the case is dropped. If the
instructor decides the violation is unintentional or minor, then
the instructor may decide to require the student to rewrite the
paper in question, take a modified exam, or take some similar
action. If, in the judgment of the instructor, the alleged
violation is deemed to be serious and intentional, the
instructor will follow the procedure outlined below in steps 2-
5.
2. Before imposing a penalty for a violation, the instructor
shall consult with his/her immediate supervisor and together
they will agree on a penalty. The instructor shall then make