academics
ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND INTEGRITY POLICY
THE HONOR CODE
To prepare students for the high ethical standards of nursing, the college expects absolute integrity both in the classroom and the clinical setting. Therefore, cheating, plagiarizing, stealing academic work, including tests and related materials, submitting papers written by others, or failing to report an occurrence of academic dishonesty will make the student subject to the college’s disciplinary procedures. The student’s case will be referred to the academic committee. Students who are found to have breached the honor code may be expelled from the program.
CHEATING
Cheating in the instructional setting is intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.
Copying from another student’s examination; submitting work for an in-class examination that has been prepared in advance; representing material prepared by another as one’s own work; submitting the same work in more than one course without prior permission of both instructors; violating rules governing administration of examinations; violating any rules relating to academic conduct of a course or program.
ASSIGNMENTS AND EXAMINATIONS
(a) Instructors are solely responsible for establishing academic assignments and methods of examination.
(b) Instructors are encouraged to provide students’ clear explanations of their expectations regarding the completion of assignments and examinations, including permissible collaboration.
(c) Instructors are encouraged to choose assignments and methods of examination believed to promote academic honesty. Examples of these include careful proctoring of examinations and the constant creation of fresh exams. Collaborative projects and unproctored examinations do not violate the promotion of academic integrity.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the act of submitting a paper in which the language, ideas or thoughts are identical to published or unpublished material from another without correctly giving credit to that source.
Academic Dishonesty: Per the SMCAH Student Code of Conduct Policy
Engaging in forms of dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism is prohibited. The term ‘cheating’ includes but is not limited to
1) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;
2) dependence upon the aid of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments; or
3) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College faculty or staff.
The term ‘plagiarism’ includes but is not limited to the use by paraphrase or direct quotation of the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment.
It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
Any evidence of dishonesty on the part of a student or aiding (defined by Webster’s dictionary as “to render assistance or help”) or abetting (defined by Webster’s dictionary as “to encourage and support especially a wrongdoing or wrongdoer”) on the part of another student in the clinical or academic area will result in a hearing for consideration of dismissal from the nursing program.
Additionally, any student found to have had knowledge of actual or potential dishonesty and who fails to report it will be required to attend a departmental hearing for consideration of dismissal from the program. Any exam material disclosure by students including the nature or content of examination items, before, during, or after the examination is prohibited and considered academic dishonesty.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES/SOCIAL MEDIA:
An audiotape recording of the lecture is acceptable. Reproduction and/or distribution of recorded lecture via social media e.g. Facebook, YouTube is prohibited. All media/communication devices other than audio tape recording devices, e.g. cameras, video players, etc. are prohibited during class and scheduled lab sessions.
Cell phones are to be powered off during class and scheduled lab sessions. Cell phone use for students is permitted during assigned break/lunch periods outside of patient care areas while in the clinical area. Cell phones are to be powered off during all interactions with faculty i.e. pre and post conferences while in the clinical setting unless instructed by the faculty member. Students will follow the assigned clinical facility’s policy regarding the use of electronic devices while in the clinical area.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY DUE PROCESS STEPS
- Sanctions for the first-time violation of the Academic Integrity Policy are at the discretion of the instructor up to and including no credit for an assignment or assessment.
- Notification of violation will be sent to the Program Director who may impose additional sanctions.
Students who violate academic integrity shall, after due process, be subject to College sanctions that may include failure on assignments and examinations, failure in courses, and suspension or expulsion. Established Academic Integrity policies, procedures, and sanctions are communicated in classes and Student Handbook.