Overview of SCCR Processes for Handling Academic Integrity Violations
Academic integrity is central to the mission of Illinois State University. As an institution of
higher education, when we confer a degree, we are saying we are confident in the competence of
the student in their field of study. When students do not earn these degrees with honesty and
integrity, ISU cannot make that claim. We also have a duty to educate, to ensure students lacking
these skills have an opportunity to learn them. Faculty members are strongly encouraged to
report all instances of academic dishonesty to Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities.
Faculty members retain authority to determine grade penalties, and the official University
disciplinary response comes through the student conduct process. Please know, you are always
welcome to consult with SCCR staff, at any point in this process.
• Keep the original copy of the assignment; if the student asks for a copy, provide them
with a duplicated copy only.
• Do not assign a grade or grade penalty to the assignment until you have met with the
student and determined whether the student accepts responsibility.
• Privately inform the student that you have a concern with the assignment and would like
to discuss it. If more than one student is involved each should be informed, and met with,
individually.
• Set the meeting time for when you are both available to review the assignment together
(could be in person, or via Zoom). The meeting should give you a sense for how the
student constructed the assignment, the materials used, how many drafts were written,
how many papers the student has written before, etc.
o If appropriate, request that the student bring in their rough work and reference
materials to the meeting; this may help you determine the root of the problem.
o If you have identified the sources yourself, have them available for reference
during the meeting.
• If the student acknowledges committing academic dishonesty, the faculty member may
then assign a grade penalty; the incident, along with all accompanying information
should then be forwarded to SCCR for disciplinary review. The faculty member may
include a recommended course of action and/or resolution to SCCR, but any final
determination is left up to SCCR staff.
• If the student denies committing academic dishonesty, but the faculty member is
convinced otherwise, any grade penalty should be put on hold, and the matter must be
forwarded to SCCR.
• During the student conduct process, the faculty member will be contacted by SCCR staff
to review and discuss the information. Any attempt to administratively resolve the
situation will be relayed to the faculty member. If a hearing is necessary, the faculty
member will be notified of the date, time, and location of the hearing and is expected to
participate.
• If at the conclusion of the disciplinary process the student is found responsible for an act
of academic dishonesty, the faculty member may then apply an appropriate grade penalty.
• If at the conclusion of the disciplinary process the student is found not responsible for an
act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member is strongly advised not to impose an
academic penalty on this basis. A student can file a grievance if the faculty member