ADMONITION, OR, WHEN A FACULTY MEMBER RESOLVES A CASE

Members of the instructional faculty may choose to resolve an incident of alleged academic misconduct themselves. That is, an instructor who determines that a student is responsible for an act of misconduct may impose an admonition, or warning, plus a grade reduction and/or remedial work, without filing a formal complaint of academic misconduct.

If an instructor should choose to resolve a case of academic misconduct by admonition, the following conditions apply:

• the student is fully apprised of the allegation(s) and shown any evidence
• the student accepts responsibility for the incident
• the student accepts the grade and/or remedial work assigned by the instructor
• the instructor should report the admonition to the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs.

An admonition might be appropriate when the incident is not egregious and should merit no consequence greater than a zero on the assignment, though the student may be required to do additional, remedial work (e.g., rewrite a paper with some plagiarism). The distinction between academic evaluation (e.g., reduction in grade, additional work) and disciplinary action is important here. Instructors have the authority to make academic judgments relating to their students’ work, and to make decisions in the interests of furthering their students’ education. Only the College, acting through its formal processes, may discipline a student.

Reporting the admonition to the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs is important so that repeat offenses can be tracked. No further disciplinary sanction will be imposed by the Assistant Dean’s office. The admonition report will be kept on file in the Office of the Assistant Dean during the student’s enrollment. If the student is ever again charged or admonished for academic misconduct, the prior admonition will count as proof that the student has been warned about misconduct and specifically informed about the community standards of integrity. Therefore, the admonition may lead to a more severe sanction for any future offense.

The student may contest any instructor’s admonition by bringing the case to the attention of the Assistant Dean for Student Academic Affairs. This must be done in a timely manner (typically within ten class days after receiving the admonition). For example, the student may feel that the instructor has imposed an inappropriate penalty. When this occurs, the case will be fully investigated, all relevant information will be reviewed, principles of fairness and due process will apply, and disposition of the student appeal will be based upon its merits.