The academic dishonesty policy applies to all undergraduate students enrolled at CIA in, including but not limited to those in, courses, practica, seminars, field placements and institutes as well as individuals participating in other educational experiences.

Defining Academic Integrity

Academic honesty and integrity is a core value of an academic community like CIA. The entire CIA community is responsible for fostering a healthy culture of academic honesty, and for maintaining CIA’s integrity and academic reputation.

Students may demonstrate commitment to academic integrity in many ways. Members of the CIA community are obligated to honor and uphold the Institute’s policies and procedures governing academic integrity as set forth below.

 

No CIA student shall knowingly perform, attempt to perform, or assist another in performing any act of academic dishonesty. The term “knowingly” means that the student submitting the work knows that it will be for academic credit or advancement. “Knowingly” does not mean that the student must have known that the particular act was a violation of the Institute’s Academic Integrity Policy.

Sanctions for Academic Dishonesty

All acts of academic dishonesty diminish the integrity of the Institute and are taken very seriously by the school. Students accused of academic dishonesty will participate in CIA’s judicial process and if found responsible, will be subject to appropriate sanctions. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, any one or a combination of the following:

  • Formal warning/censure/academic alert

  • Reduced grade including a failing grade for the assignment

  • Reduced grade including a failing grade for the entire course

  • Forfeiture of student leadership positions, and/or restrictions on participation in 

Institute activities

  • Academic probation

  • Suspension

  • Expulsion from the Institute

Warning or censure is a written reprimand for violating the Institute’s standards of academic conduct. This action will also serve as a warning against future incidents as they will result in more severe sanctions. Censure will not be noted on a student’s transcript, but will be noted in their student file.

In appropriate cases, a student may perform community service as part of a sanction imposed under this policy. In the event that a student accepts a community service alternative, the Director of Student Life and Housing shall approve the terms and duration of such service.

Note: When the sanction of a lowered or failing grade is given, the student may not challenge the grade through the Institute’s grade grievance procedure.

Academic dishonesty comes in many forms. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, a student taking or attempting to take any of the following actions. The following list is not exhaustive and a student may be charged and found guilty of violating the Institutes’ Academic Integrity Policy for an offense that may not be listed below.

1.       Cheating: Use and/or solicitation of use of unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aides or other devices in any academic exercise. This definition includes unauthorized communication of information during an academic exercise.

Examples: Copying from another’s paper, or receiving unauthorized assistance during a quiz or examination; copying reports, laboratory work, computer programs or files; soliciting and/or sending a substitute to take an examination; unauthorized collaboration on a take- home exam.

2.       Plagiarism: Presenting the work of another as one’s own (i.e., without proper acknowledgment of the sources). Plagiarism can occur through written work, as well as, orally, visually, or conceptually.

Examples: Utilizing commercial writing services, obtaining and submitting work done by another as one’s own, and not acknowledging the source when using facts, figures, graphs, images, charts or other information and examples. Lastly, copying artwork or copying work found on the internet and submitting it as one’s own. Within the context of the studio environment, plagiarism involves using the imagery or ideas of someone else and submitting them as one’s own. Submitting a project that uses someone else’s plan, image, method or device without acknowledging the source is plagiarism.

3.       Fabrication and Falsification: Falsification means altering information; fabrication is inventing or counterfeiting information.

Examples: Inventing or altering data or research results; fabricating research processes to make it appear that the results of one process are actually the results of several processes; false citation of a source; falsifying attendance records in class or at practicum or internship sites for the student at issue or for someone else; having another falsify attendance records on a student’s behalf; falsifying material relating to course registration or grades; falsification, forgery, or misrepresentation of academic records or documents including admissions materials, transcripts and/or practicum or internship documentation; communication of false or misleading statements to obtain an academic advantage or to avoid academic penalty.

4.       Multiple Submissions: Submitting the same paper, oral presentation or piece of work for credit more than once without prior written authorization.

5.       Complicity/Unauthorized Assistance: Intentionally or knowingly allowing another to commit and act of academic dishonesty. Giving or receiving assistance in connection with an examination or any other academic endeavor that a faculty member has not authorized.

Examples: Allowing a student to copy from a test, giving or receiving answers to an exam before the test; completing academic work for another or allowing another to complete an academic exercise for the student.

6.       Lying/Tampering/Theft: Giving false information in connection with the performance of any academic work or in connection with any proceeding under this Policy.

If a faculty member has reason to believe that a student has engaged in academic dishonesty, they shall promptly discuss the matter with the student and shall consider whether the student has violated the policy. The faculty member then has the following options:

1.       If the faculty member determines that no act of academic dishonesty has occurred, the matter shall be considered closed and shall not be reported further.

2.       If the faculty member is unsure as to whether a violation has occurred, s/he shall consult with the Assistant Dean of Students or immediate supervisor for review and discussion.

3.       If the faculty member is persuaded that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, they shall report in writing their findings, reasons for his/her conclusion with appropriate supporting materials and, on a separate sheet, a list of possible witnesses promptly to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for review. The faculty member cannot impose a remedy without the involvement of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.