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Academic Integrity
All Northwestern students, including on-line and satellite campus participants are expected to behave within the standard of conduct described in Academic Infractions, Article IV., Section 1 of the Northwestern State University Student Code of Conduct. This section of the Student Code includes rules prohibiting collaboration, plagiarism, selling and stealing information, and other forms of cheating.
Academic Integrity is a cornerstone for higher education. Adherence to rules promoting honesty and truth allows Northwestern State University to fulfill its mission to pursue knowledge though instruction, research and service. All members of Northwestern State University community are responsible for promoting academic integrity by fostering an environment based on trust, mutual respect, personal responsibility, honesty, and justice.
In addition, Northwestern State University expects all members of University community to report issues of academic integrity. Students are encouraged to report suspected code violations. Like wise, faculty are expected to handle academic code violations in the classroom by reporting infractions to their immediate supervisor and submitting grades appropriate for the academic work submitted. In agreement with the dean or supervisor, offending students may also be referred to Student Conduct for additional judicial action or to develop a record on the student for future reference. (see attached chart).
Faculty Referrals
Faculty referrals to Student Conduct must include:
- the details of the infraction (student name and ID # class and section #, date);
- the academic penalty issued by the faculty member and ;
- the faculty member’s recommendation (whether the incident merits judicial action and or creation of a student record).
Student Conduct determines all action taken after the referral and notifies students and appropriate faculty of the initial action taken. Initial notification to the student will include the code violation, the academic penalty, grade appeal information, and the outcome of the initial judicial review ((a) whether the fraction merits strictly notification or (b) whether the incident merits judicial action and a meeting in Student Conduct).
Judicial action ranges from warnings to suspension and may include educational and work service sanctions. The outcomes of a judicial hearing are confidential.