Academic Integrity and Community Standards

Academic Integrity and Community Standards

Columbia University expects that its students will act with honesty and propriety at all times and will respect the rights of others. It is fundamental University policy that academic dishonesty in any guise or personal conduct of any sort that disrupts the life of the University or denigrates or endangers members of the University community is unacceptable and will be dealt with severely.

Because the School of Continuing Education takes matters of intellectual integrity very seriously, academic dishonesty is not tolerated. Acts of academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

  • Cheating on examinations
  • Making up information
  • Misrepresenting one's academic record at Columbia or elsewhere
  • Plagiarizing another's work or one's own
  • Assisting others in plagiarism
  • Making false statements in connection with any academic matter, including applications for admission and financial aid
  • Creating, altering, or misusing University documents or credentials
  • Improperly using libraries or materials contained therein

The School also prohibits conduct that disrupts or interferes with the operation of the University or with the activities of other members of the University community. Instances of such behavior include but are not limited to:

  • Harassing, coercing, or intimidating others
  • Making rude, abusive, or derogatory remarks about another person's gender, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation
  • Interfering with or disrupting research or instruction
  • Improperly using University services, equipment, or facilities, including University e-mail and telephones
  • Failing to comply with a legitimate order of a University authority acting in the line of duty

Academic and behavioral infractions carry severe penalties. Plagiarism, for example, whether or not it is intentional, results in a failing grade on the assignment and in the course. For degree candidates, this means immediate dismissal from their program of study.

DISCIPLINARY CHARGES

Students, faculty members, or Columbia staff members who have concerns or complaints about a student's behavior, including issues pertaining to academic integrity, are asked to contact the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs to discuss the concern. Based on the conversation with the complainant, the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs will determine whether or not the complaint warrants an informal meeting with the student or a formal disciplinary hearing. The Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs will review the options and the procedures with the complainant. If a formal disciplinary hearing is to be held, normally the complainant must formalize the complaint in writing. A copy of the written charges is provided to the student, who is required to submit a written response prior to meeting with the disciplinary committee.

A disciplinary hearing is held to discuss the allegations with the student, and when necessary, to determine appropriate sanctions. Present at the hearing are the charged student and members of the disciplinary subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing. On the strength of the evidence and the student's response, the committee reaches a determination and notifies the student of its decision after the hearing. The student can be exonerated or found guilty; in some instances where the evidence is insufficient, the committee may take no action and warn the student.

For students found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct, the sanctions range from warning to probation, suspension, or dismissal. Because the committee wants to ensure that the disciplinary process is also an educational process, every effort is made to refer students to appropriate resources and support services that will help them learn from the experience. In cases of academic dishonesty, the disciplinary response is deliberately separate from the decision an instructor makes concerning how the breach of the academic contract affects a student's grade. If a student is found guilty of a second violation of University regulations, academic dishonesty, or inappropriate behavior, that student is dismissed. Students have the right to appeal the decision of the disciplinary committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the date of the letter informing the student of the disciplinary action taken. Appeals concerning suspension or dismissals must be addressed to the Dean of the School; all other appeals should be addressed to the Committee on Academic Standing.

In general, under University policy and federal law, information about dean's disciplinary proceedings against a student is confidential and may not be disclosed to others. A limited exception to this principle is that the outcome of dean's disciplinary proceedings alleging a sexual assault must be disclosed both to the accuser and the accused.

DISCIPLINARY HEARING PROCEDURES

Notification of Charges and Disciplinary Hearing

Students are formally notified in writing by the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs or his representative that charges have been filed. A copy of the written charges is provided to the student along with any supporting evidence that has been provided. As charges of academic dishonesty or misconduct, and the subsequent disciplinary process, can compound feelings of stress or anxiety, students are urged to speak with a counselor at Psychological and Counseling Services to help them deal with their feelings and the process.

Preparation for the Hearing

After being notified by the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs of the charges, the student should arrange to pick up any material relevant to the charges. Students are required to prepare a written statement in response to the charges to submit, along with any relevant supporting materials, within 48 hours of the scheduled hearing date and time. This statement is read by the disciplinary committee in advance of the hearing. Every effort is made to schedule hearings within three weeks after the student is notified of the charges by the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs. Dates and times for disciplinary hearings are scheduled in consultation with students so that they do not conflict with classes or work. If a student fails to attend a scheduled hearing, the committee reserves the right to adjudicate the case in the student's absence. Students should arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled hearing, bringing with them copies of the charges and relevant materials. A student may not be accompanied by another person during the hearing, with the exception of a friend, family member, or other supporter is welcome to wait for the student in the reception area.

The Disciplinary Hearing Process

The hearing is not an adversarial process but rather an important educational opportunity designed to get to the truth through the facts while understanding the student's particular situation that led to the charges. The purpose of the hearing is to discuss the allegations with the student, determine whether the student is culpable, and, when necessary, to determine appropriate sanctions. Even when a student admits to the charges in advance, a hearing is held in order to understand better the circumstances and gravity of the breach as well as the student's intentions so that the sanctions dispensed are in line with other disciplinary responses by the committee.

The hearing committee is a subcommittee of the SCE Committee on Academic Standing. The hearing begins with a brief statement by the chair about why the committee has convened. The student is then invited to make an opening statement. Members of the committee proceed to discuss the charges with the student and may pose questions to clarify or understand the charges as well as the student's perspective on the context, incident, and/or circumstances. In cases of plagiarism, the committee often asks the student about his or her understanding of plagiarism, how the student researches papers, takes notes, and cites sources. The student may at anytime during the hearing ask questions of the committee. At the conclusion of the hearing, the student is invited to make a final statement. The student and advisor are then excused so that the committee may deliberate.

On the strength of the evidence and the student's response, as well as with consideration about how similar cases have been adjudicated by the School, the committee reaches a determination and notifies the student of its decision after the hearing. If more deliberation is warranted or other evidence needs to come forward, the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs, or his delegate, will advise the student about a delay in the decision-making. In some cases, the subcommittee will decide to take the case to the full committee for discussion and a vote. All decisions of the subcommittee are ratified by the full Committee on Academic Standing. A student can be exonerated or found guilty; in some instances where the evidence is insufficient, the committee may take no action and warn the student.

The student is notified by the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs either at the conclusion of the hearing or within a week's time of the findings of the committee. Any oral communication is followed up by a letter to the student summarizing the response of the committee and any sanctions, if pertinent. A copy of this letter as well as a summary report of the hearing prepared for the Committee on Academic Standing are kept in the student's confidential educational file.

Sanctions

For students found guilty of academic dishonesty or misconduct, the sanctions range from warning to probation, suspension, or dismissal. The committee may require a student to fulfill certain probationary requirements pertinent to the causes of the violation. A student may also be barred from certain University facilities or activities. In cases of academic dishonesty, the disciplinary response is deliberately separate from the decision an instructor makes concerning how the breach of the academic contract affects a student's grade. While a student can be dismissed for a single violation, a student who is found guilty of a second violation of University regulations, academic dishonesty, or inappropriate behavior, faces mandatory dismissal.

Appeal Process

Students have the right to appeal the decision of the disciplinary committee. Appeals must be submitted in writing within two weeks of the date of the letter informing the student of the disciplinary action taken. Appeals concerning suspensions or dismissals must be addressed to the Dean of the School; all other appeals should be addressed to the Committee on Academic Standing. A student should expect to have a response to an appeal within to two to three weeks of submission.

Confidentiality

In general, under University policy and federal law, information about dean's disciplinary proceedings against a student is confidential and may not be disclosed to others. A limited exception to this principle is that the outcome of dean's disciplinary proceedings alleging a sexual assault must be disclosed both to the accuser and the accused. In addition, for students in joint or double degree programs who are found guilty of the charges, the appropriate dean in the associated school is notified of the charges and findings.

A copy of the charges and disciplinary hearing response are kept in the student's confidential educational file within the School. Any changes in academic status resulting from the disciplinary process are noted on the internal transcript not the external transcript.

INFORMAL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING MISCONDUCT

From time to time, an instructor, officer, staff member or student will choose not to put a complaint in writing; such complaints will normally be treated as informal complaints. In cases where an informal rather than a formal complaint is made, the advisor usually discusses the matter with the student. In all these situations, the student will be formally warned orally and the warning will be noted in the student's educational file, along with any recommendations made to the student. Such warnings will be taken into account if and when similar complaints are made in the future; a pattern of informal complaints can lead to formal disciplinary action.

GRIEVANCE POLICY
School of Continuing Education
Student Complaints about Faculty Members

The following procedures are part of a process to ensure that student concerns about experiences in the classroom or with faculty are addressed in an informed and appropriate manner.

Due to the size and diverse nature of our scholarly community, each school maintains its own processes for address a variety of student life issues, including students' concerns about experiences in the classroom or with faculty at their school. Experience has shown that most student concerns are best resolved in a collaborative way at the school level, starting with the program director or with the Dean's office.

The grievance procedures available through the office of the Vice President for Arts and Sciences are intended to complement, not substitute for, the procedures available in each of the Schools, and they treat a considerably more limited range of issues. They are designed to address only those cases involving professional misconduct by a faculty member of Arts and Sciences in an instructional setting in which there were significant irregularities or errors in applying School procedures.

If the professor/instructor at issue is not a member of the Arts and Sciences faculty, the student should consult the particular school for its procedures.

For academic complaints relating to Arts and Sciences faculty, the Arts and Sciences procedures, like those of other schools, provide for a final appeal to the University Provost.

We welcome students' thoughts on ways to clarify or enhance these procedures. If you are a student enrolled in the School of Continuing Education , please e-mail
sce-studentaffairs@columbia.edu.

School of Continuing Education Procedures

Columbia University is an academic community committed to fostering intellectual inquiry in a climate of academic freedom and integrity. Its members - students and faculty alike - are expected to uphold these principles and exhibit tolerance and respect for others.

The University Statutes and the general policies of the University describe the roles and responsibilities of faculty in their teaching and research. These policies and procedures can be found in the Faculty Handbook at www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/fhb/.

Faculty have a right to expect freedom in the classroom to discuss their subjects and not to be penalized for their private opinions. Faculty do, however, have special obligations arising from their position in the academic community and should refrain from conduct in the classroom that adversely affects the learning environment. Chapter 7 of the Faculty Handbook reads in pertinent parts:

The University's commitment to the principle of academic freedom is defined in Section 70a of the University Statutes. That commitment assures officers of the freedom to determine the content of what they teach and the manner in which it is taught and the freedom to choose the subjects of their research and publish their results. It also guarantees that they will not be penalized for expressions of opinion or association in their private or civic capacity.

In conducting their classes, faculty should make every effort to be accurate and should show respect for the rights of others to hold opinions differing from their own. They should confine their classes to the subject matter covered by the courses and not use them to advocate any cause.

Academic assessment of students resides with the faculty. The School's Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs will receive complaints about grades or academic assessment, but only to assure that the assessment of the student was made impartially and according to procedures applicable to all students as published in the course syllabus.

Students who have a complaint against a faculty member not relating to academic assessment have a number of avenues for seeking an informal resolution. For the procedures handled at the School level (i.e., those that are not mandated by University-wide policies), the School operates under the general principle that an attempt should be made to resolve the issue on an informal basis, and that it be addressed in a timely manner at the most immediate level possible, i.e., the student is encouraged to speak with the faculty member, if possible; if not, then with the Program Director or Department Chair. The Office of Student and Alumni Affairs will be glad to advise a student with whom to take up the matter. All complaints should ordinarily be brought with thirty (30) days of the end of the semester within which the conduct complained of occurred, or no later than the beginning of the next term.

The Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs or his representative is available to help students informally resolve problems with any faculty member, both within and outside of the School. As always, students who are dissatisfied with the outcome of their intervention may seek a formal hearing of their complaints. If all attempts at informal resolution have failed, students may submit a request for a formal hearing in writing to the Associate Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs.

If the alleged misconduct involves discrimination and sexual harassment, the complaint should be filed with the Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. The procedures for handling such complaints are described in the statement, Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Policy and Procedure, which is on the Web at www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/eoaa/docs/discrim_sexharass.html.

Complaints against the School's faculty that allege scientific or scholarly misconduct are also evaluated using other procedures. These may contained in the Statement on Professional Ethics and Faculty Obligations and Guidelines for Review of Professional Misconduct, available at www.columbia.edu/cu/vpaa/fhb/app/app_e.html.

The University's Omsbuds Officer serves as an informal, confidential resource for assisting members of the University community with conflict resolution. The Ombuds Officer provides information, counseling and referrals to appropriate University offices. He or she will also mediate conflicts if both parties agree. However he or she does not have the authority to adjudicate disputes and does not participate in any formal University grievance proceedings (212-854-1234; ombuds@columbia.edu).