Academic Integrity Policy

Academic Integrity Board

The Academic Integrity Board (AIB) advocates and raises the awareness of academic integrity at Cumberland University by upholding the University Values section in the preamble that is fundamental to Cumberland University. These Values are: Value 1: Personal Integrity, Value 2: Worth of the Individual, Value 3: Critical, Independent Thinking, Value 4: Discipline, and Value 5: Community Responsibility and Accountability. The responsibility of acting with integrity impacts each member of the, administration, faculty, staff and student body of the university. The AIB reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs about the status of Academic Integrity Policy. 

The Academic Integrity Board (AIB) consists of at least 7 members that include representation from each of the five academic schools of the University, an incumbent chair and at least one student representative. The function of the board is (1) to hear charges and/or appeals of academic integrity violations and to render decisions with regard to validity of charge(s) and imposed sanction(s); (2)to collect, report and analyze data from each “case” about the charges that have been brought by the student;(3)to report and use data for the purpose of improving communication across campus and improving Cumberland University;(4)to inform academic integrity violators of appeal process and direct them to resources to assist in the process;(5)to educate the campus community about academic misconduct; and (6)to ensure that the academic integrity practices of the University are current and in alignment with best practices.

The student may appeal an unfavorable decision by the board. Appeals are made first to Vice President for Academic Affairs and then to the University President. The decision of the University President is final. A copy of complete proceedings and actions will be kept in the Office of Academic Affairs and in the office of the Dean of Students.

Academic Integrity Procedures

Cumberland University considers any violation of academic integrity a significant offense and therefore subject to an appropriate sanction.  Academic integrity violations at the University are classified into minor and major categories each with two levels of violation for a total of four levels of violations. Faculty make the distinction within their course syllabi of the characteristics that define the category of academic integrity violation for a particular course. The sanction levied is decided upon by the faculty member in consultation with the appropriate Program Director and/or School Dean. The University recommends sanctions intended as a general guideline for the academy. Furthermore, extenuating circumstances may influence the imposed sanction, as degree of responsibility and experience of an individual student may be a factor in determining the appropriate sanction. For example a first-year student’s imposed sanction for a given violation may not be as severe as that imposed on a more experienced student (upper-classman or graduate student) for the same violation. All transgressions identified are recorded in the office of the Dean of Students (DofS). Academic Integrity Violations and Sanctions Policy

Every student is charged with the responsibility of acting in accordance with the standards of integrity established by the University, and ensuring that his/her fellow students also abide by these standards. As a member of the University community, if you have knowledge of a possible academic integrity offense, you should immediately contact the appropriate academic body (School Dean, faculty mentor or academic advisor) that will act as an academic integrity advisor. You do not necessarily need to disclose the course, the instructor, student suspect and/or other identifying details at this time. During this conversation, the advisor will explain the three criteria necessitating the action of reporting an academic integrity violation. Student Reporting Academic Integrity Violations Guidelines Calling upon the advice of an academic integrity advisor in no way binds you to report a case; however, it should be noted that academic integrity is the foundation of the academy.

All students are afforded the right to appeal a charge and/or sanction for an Academic Integrity violation. Grounds for an appeal include significant new evidence and/or procedural error. The Academic Integrity Board, Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or President reserve the right to accept or reject any appeal. All appeals must be reported on the Academic Integrity Appeal Form.

Academic Integrity Sanctions

A student found guilty of academic dishonesty shall receive a sanction or sanctions deemed appropriate to the offense. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, a formal letter of censure, a requirement to perform community service on or off the campus, a grade of “F” on the assignment in question, dismissal from the course with a grade of “FC" (failure cheating), suspension, and/or expulsion from the University. The Faculty and Academic Integrity Board will be guided by precedent in determining sanctions and recommended sanctions for the academy found in Academic Integrity Violations and Sanctions Guidelines. When a verdict of guilty is reached, a record of the offense, the sanctions, and the proceedings shall be kept permanently on file in the Dean of Student’s office.