Academic dishonesty is representing another’s work as one’s own, active complicity in such falsification, or violating test conditions. Plagiarism is stealing and passing off the ideas and words of another as one’s own or using the work of another without crediting the source.

Saint Leo University will hold students responsible for safeguarding their work against plagiarism by others. For example, papers left on hard drives or floppy disks are easily copied, and when two or more students submit papers that are essentially the same, it is often impossible to determine which version was written first and which was plagiarized. In cases of this nature the actions of both students will be reviewed by the committee and appropriate sanctions may be awarded to one or all students.

Questions of academic honesty are of great importance to Saint Leo University. Infractions are addressed by the office of Academic Affairs.

When there is a reason to suspect that a student has violated either the University’s policy on academic honesty or the classroom instructor’s specific codes as outlined in the course syllabus, the faculty member must, in person and, if possible, in private, discuss the charges and evidence with the student.

Without taking any punitive action, the faculty member will submit a report, in writing, as soon as possible to the Academic Standards Committee for the home campus or the Resident Center Director in the School of Continuing Education. The report of the faculty member will normally include these points:

1. The faculty member’s charge against the student;

2. The evidence supporting the faculty member’s charge.

3. A summary of the discussion between the student and the faculty member, including any admissions or denial of guilt on the part of the student.

Upon receipt of the instructor’s report, the Academic Standards Committee or an ad hoc committee appointed by the Resident Center Director will schedule a hearing and inform the student, in writing, of the date and time of the hearing. The Committee will also enclose copies of the faculty member’s report. A student is not permitted to withdraw from a course while the infraction is under investigation. The student is required to attend the hearing. If the student does not attend the hearing, the committee will render a default judgment with appropriate sanctions.

After reviewing the evidence and hearing the argument of both parties, the Committee will render a decision on the charge and determine any sanctions which are appropriate.

The sanctions for academic dishonesty, such as cheating on an examination, plagiarism, forgery of academic documents (including signing another’s name), the copying of computer programs or information, and similar offenses, are as follows:

1. The minimum sanction for the first offense is an "F" for the test of assignment, but the usual sanction is an "F" in the course in which the violation took place. No provision can be made for the student to receive a "W."

2. The minimum sanction for the second offense is an "F" in the course, but the usual sanction is suspension of the student from Saint Leo University.

Circumstances which would justify sanctions greater than the minimum include the students previous academic and disciplinary record at the University or the particularly flagrant nature of the offense.

The campus student will be afforded an opportunity to appeal the decisions of the committee to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may accept or modify any finding, conclusion, or suggested sanction in the recommended decision and issue the final decision of the University as soon as practical. The final authority rests with the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

It is the responsibility and obligation of each student personally to uphold the Academic Honor Code. Students are required to report any observed instance of academic dishonesty to the faculty member.