Office of Student Affairs & Activities
Faculty Academic Integrity Resources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a cornerstone of educational excellence. It involves maintaining honesty and responsibility in scholarly work, ensuring that all academic activities—whether they be research, writing, or examinations—are conducted ethically. Upholding academic integrity is crucial for fostering a culture of trust, fairness, and respect within the academic community.
Board Policies
Foothill College operates under a set of board-approved policies that guide our actions and decisions in matters of student code of conduct, and Title IX. These policies ensure that our practices align with state and federal regulations while upholding the values of our institution.
- Student Code of Conduct Policies
- Administrative Procedure 5510: Student Code of Conduct.
- Administrative Procedure 5520: Student Due Process and Discipline.
Academic Integrity
What is Academic Integrity?
Academic integrity refers to the ethical code and moral principles that guide academic behavior. It ensures that all students and faculty engage in honest and fair practices in their scholarly activities.
Examples of Academic Integrity:
- Proper Citation: Giving credit to original authors by accurately citing sources in your work.
- Original Work: Submitting your own work for assignments and exams without unauthorized assistance.
- Collaboration vs. Cheating: Working with peers when allowed by the instructor, but ensuring that the final work submitted is your own unless otherwise specified.
Violations of Academic Integrity:
- Plagiarism: Copying or paraphrasing someone else’s work without proper citation.
- Cheating: Using unauthorized materials or receiving unauthorized help during an exam or on an assignment.
- Fabrication: Making up data, results, or citations in academic work.
- Facilitating Dishonesty: Helping others commit any of the above violations.
Consequences of Academic Dishonesty
Academic and/or administrative sanctions may be applied in cases of academic dishonesty.
- Academic consequences may include
- Receiving a failing grade on the test, paper, or exam
- Having course grades lowered
- Receiving a grade of F in the course
Administrative consequences may include
- Disciplinary probation
- Disciplinary suspension
- Expulsion
Students may also be subject to arrest or monetary fines if the academic dishonesty offense violates state or federal law.
Academic Integrity Reporting Process
Use the Academic Integrity Reporting Form to report all potential violations of academic dishonesty (cheating and plagiarism)
If you suspect a student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy, follow the steps below:
Faculty Steps
Inform Student (Optional)
Inform the student that you have concerns with the assignment and you would like to discuss it. If more than one student is involved, meet with each student individually. If you are unable to meet with the student notify the student of the findings and report the incident through the Maxient reporting form.
Assess Incident
If you meet with the student, the instructor should get a sense of how the student constructed the assignment or that he/she did violate the academic integrity policy.
Submit Maxient Incident Report
Fill out the online reporting form for violations to the Academic Integrity Policy.
- Attach all supporting documentation to Maxient report
- Report must be submitted as soon as incident occurred
- Report only facts of incident (please leave out opinions or comments that may sound bias against student)
Faculty Grading
Grading: Faculty may grade the student's assignment based on their grading and academic integrity policy as stated in their syllabi. The student may receive a grade reduction or a zero for the assignment they allegedly plagiarized. Please note that according to Title V, students cannot be automatically failleg for the entire course for academic integrity violations.
Office of Student Affairs Steps
Case Creation
Once a report is received: Office staff will create a file through Maxient to keep all documentation, communication, statuses.
Notice of Concern Letter to Student
Notice of Concern: Written notice must be provided to the student within 10 days of the date on which the conduct took place; in the case of continuous, repeated or ongoing conduct, the notice must be provided within 10 days of the date on which conduct occurred which led to the decision to take disciplinary action.
Notice of Receipt Letter to Faculty
Notice of Receipt: Written notice will be sent to the faculty that submitted the report.
Conduct Process
Office of Student Affairs and Activities will work with students through the student conduct process.
Our office cannot move forward with the disciplinary process until your student responds
to our communication.
Sanctions: If this is the student’s first offense, the student will receive a written warning,
depending on the gravity of the offense (minor, moderate, major). In cases of repeated
or major offenses, sanctions may vary from extended disciplinary probation to suspension
from the Foothill-DeAnza District.
Student Educational Records in Accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): Foothill College makes every effort to comply with FERPA, a federal law that protects the privacy of a student's educational record. Accordingly, we keep the student's conduct process outcomes confidential.
Status Updates: You will receive a notification from our office once a disciplinary resolution has been reached with your student. As stated above, the outcome of the case, including sanctions, will not be disclosed in accordance with FERPA. However, our office will notify you once a resolution is reached and the case is closed.
Questions?
We're Here to Help!
Student Affairs & Activities Division Office
650.949.7241
Campus Center, Building 2000, Room 2002