ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
The Iowa State Student Code of Conduct defines academic misconduct as any action or attempted action that may result in creating an unfair academic advantage for oneself or an unfair academic advantage or disadvantage for any other member or members of the academic community. The resources on this page are intended to help students understand the importance of academic integrity and provide examples of what could be considered misconduct. Additional information about the policy and what could constitute academic misconduct can be found by visiting the prohibited conduct section of our website or by accessing the Student Code of Conduct.
Academic Misconduct and Academic Integrity Resources
Academic integrity is a fundamental value in academia and enhances student learning and success. This Academic Integrity handbook will discuss why academic integrity is important, provide examples of academic dishonesty, share how students can practice academic integrity, outline the university policy and procedures pertaining to academic misconduct, and share resources to support your academic integrity and student success. Click the image below to access the handbook.
Using Chegg and other online study sites could constitute a violation of University policy. Prior to using external sources, such as Chegg, you should review University policy and ask for clarification if you are unsure if your use would constitute a violation. Click the infographic below to learn more.
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Contract cheating is a type of academic dishonesty where students get academic work completed on their behalf to submit for credit as if they had created it themselves. (http://contractcheating.com). Click the infographic below to learn more.
In order successfully adapt to the American culture and educational system, you have to keep an open mind and be willing to renegotiate some of the academic values you may bring from your home country. In the United States, qualities such as independence, originality, critical thinking, and interpretation are extremely valued. Here, success is measured by individual effort. The below booklet is intended to help you understand Iowa State's expectations regarding academic integrity and provide general information about how to be successful academically.
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Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT is prohibited where instructors indicate work should be done independently by the student. This includes drafts, outlines, essays, process work, etc. Whether having another person or company or AI tool complete written work, assignments, or other coursework for you, this constitutes academic misconduct.
The purpose of your education and courses is to learn and demonstrate your learning, as measured by the assignments and assessments selected and developed by instructors. Developing these skills will help you as you continue your education and into your workplace in the future.
AI-generated coursework will be treated like any other form of academic misconduct.
Where students have questions about how or when AI may be permitted for use in the course, you should engage with your instructor directly.
This guide provides information about University policies and expectations regarding the completion of academic work and research. Students should review the Student Code of Conduct, Course Catalog, and Graduate College Handbook for additional information. Information on the academic grievence process can be found in chapter 9 of the Graduate College Handbook. Additional information and resources can be found on our Graduate Student Resource Page. Click the image below to access the handbook.
Being Charged With Academic Misconduct
Below is a basic outline of what you can expect if you have been accused of academic misconduct.
- Your instructor will likely contact you (via email or in person) to discuss concerns related to coursework completion and allow you the opportunity to accept or deny responsibility for completing your coursework dishonestly.
- Following that conversation, the instructor may make a referral to the Office of Student Conduct where a staff member will review the information and determine if the allegation represents an alleged policy violation.
- The Office of Student Conduct will send you a charge letter, including a deadline for scheduling with the office. In most cases, students are not facing suspension or expulsion and will have a student conduct conference.
- The student conduct conference is your opportunity to accept or deny responsibility and provide information and/or evidence that supports this.
- The hearing officer makes a determination of responsible or not responsible for violating university policy, using the preponderance of evidence standard.
- Both the student and the faculty member receive a copy of the outcome letter.
Additional process information can be found in section 6.1 of the Student Code of Conduct.
For all disciplinary cases, the burden of proof is preponderance of the evidence.
Preponderance of the evidence means "the greater weight of the evidence, not necessarily established by the greater number of witnesses testifying to a fact but by evidence that has the most convincing force; superior evidentiary weight that, though not sufficient to free the mind wholly from all reasonable doubt, is still sufficient to incline a fair and impartial mind to one side of the issue rather than the other." [Bryan A. Garner, Editor, “Black’s Law Dictionary,” Second Edition, St. Paul, MN: West Group: 2001.]
In student disciplinary matters, this concept means both accounts of an incident are perceived evenly/equitably. Both students carry the burden of persuading the fact-finder that their claim is valid. This differs from a criminal case where the burden of persuasion always rests with the prosecution.
Reports of alleged academic misconduct are submitted to the Office of Student Conduct by the course instructor. During the student conduct process, the instructor may also serve as a content expert for the hearing officer.
Grades are determined by the instructor for the course. The Office of Student Conduct does not make grading decisions or recommendations.
Grade penalties can range from a reduced grade on the coursework up to failure from the course and are determined by the instructor/course. Questions regarding grade penalties should be director to the course instructor.
Students who believe a faculty member (in their academic capacity) has behaved unfairly or unprofessionally may have their grievance reviewed through the appeal of academic grievances procedure. Information on this procedure can be found in the ISU Course Catalog.
The appeals process is outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, section 8. There are specific criteria upon which an appeal of a decision made based on a preponderance of the evidence may be filed, and this must be more substantial than disagreement with the decision. Depending on the type of hearing in your case, the appeals process will be different. Your student conduct administrator is available to answer questions regarding the appeals process.