Montreat College
Academic Integrity Policy

A. Definition of Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty, such as cheating on tests and plagiarizing essays, violates the fundamental trust underlying all academic work: that the work be the product of the student who submitted it. Montreat College defines academic dishonesty as the representation of another’s words, ideas, or images as one’s own. It applies equally to intentional and unintentional quotations, paraphrases, visual images, auditory images, and all electronic means of storage and communication. Academic dishonesty results in the following.

B. Discipline of Academic Dishonesty

When a professor suspects a student of academic dishonesty, the professor will meet with the student(s) to discuss the incident and to determine to the faculty member’s satisfaction whether or not academic dishonesty has occurred. If, in the instructor’s judgment, such a violation of academic integrity has occurred, the faculty member will present the charges in writing to the student. The only possible disciplinarian actions are, (1) a “zero” for the assignment, or (2) an “F” for the course. A student may choose to admit his or her guilt of Academic Dishonesty and waive a hearing. This involves signing the Academic Dishonesty Notice outlining the disciplinary action. The Academic Dishonesty Notice will then be put on file in the registrar’s office. The record(s) regarding academic dishonesty will be retained until the student successfully graduates. A student who does not agree to the professor’s charges must appear before a panel of three faculty members appointed by the Assistant Academic Dean or designee on charges of academic dishonesty. During the intervening period, a student is expected to continue to attend class.

The panel will convene a hearing with the student and the professor at which the faculty member will explain the student’s alleged violation.  A student may choose to counter with evidence of her or his innocence or may admit guilt.

C. Punishment of Academic Dishonesty

If the panel indicates, by simple majority vote, that the student has been dishonest, the panel shall uphold the penalty assessed by the professor. The Assistant Academic Dean or designee will notify the student, professor, advisor, and Registrar in writing of the panel’s decision. If the student received a failing grade for the course the student may remove the impact of the "F" on the grade point average by successfully retaking the course. Two incidents of academic dishonesty will result in a student’s being subject to dismissal from the college. The student will not be eligible to reapply to Montreat College for at least two (2) years after dismissal. If the panel finds the student not guilty of academic dishonesty, it will notify both the student and the faculty member.

If the student wishes to drop the course but has been found guilty of academic dishonesty, the student will have a “WF” recorded on the transcript if the time has passed for dropping courses. If the student wishes to drop the course within the time frame for dropping without a penalty, he or she may do so, but the Academic Dishonesty Notice will be kept on file if the student has admitted or been found guilty of academic dishonesty.

In all instances the record(s) regarding academic dishonesty will be retained until the student graduates.

D. Exoneration of Academic Dishonesty

If exonerating evidence becomes available in the five business days following notification, a student may appeal to the Vice President and Dean of Academics. Appeals will only be heard if they meet one of the following conditions: (a) Discovery of new evidence; (b) Violation of procedure. A student must remain in the class and work toward its successful completion during the appeal process. The student will be notified in writing of the final decision.