Information regarding Academic Misconduct can be found in the GVSU Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog or in the Anchor of Student Rights and Responsibilities (see Section 5.1 and Section 6.1).

Report Academic Misconduct

Questions can be directed to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution by email at [email protected]. 

5.1 Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct is defined as any action or behavior that misrepresents one’s contributions to or the results of any scholarly product submitted for credit, evaluation, or dissemination. The following behaviors contradict the values of the University community and are subject to action under the Anchor. This includes but is not limited to:

5.1.1 Cheating
Attempting to use materials, information, or aids that have not been authorized by the instructor for academic work.

5.1.2 Collusion
Unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing academic assignments offered for credit, and collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any section of the rules on academic misconduct.

5.1.3 Dual Submission
Submitting work that has been previously graded, or is being submitted concurrently to more than one course, without authorization from the instructor(s) of the class(es) to which the student wishes to submit.

5.1.4 Falsification and Fabrication

Falsification: Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record. 

Fabrication: Making up data or results and recording or reporting them. 

5.1.5 Plagiarism

Appropriation of, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source without any indication or citation of the original source, including words, sentences, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, and other expression or media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit or in conjunction with a program, course, or degree requirements.

6.1 Academic Misconduct Procedures
OSCCR works collaboratively with all GVSU faculty members to address academic misconduct concerns. Academic misconduct procedures apply to any allegation of academic misconduct that happens in a course, program of study, or research. Violations of the standards of academic integrity that fall outside this definition will follow the General Conduct Procedures defined in Section 6.2.

6.1.1 Instructor Responsibility
If an instructor suspects any instance of academic misconduct, the instructor must notify and meet with the student to discuss the incident. Based on the outcome of that meeting, the instructor may find there was no act of academic misconduct and take no further action. If the instructor finds there was an act of academic misconduct and the instructor would like to impose an academic penalty, the instructor must report the matter to OSCCR with sufficient evidence/relevant information to substantiate their finding, and with a recommendation for the imposed academic penalty listed below:

• Impose additional course requirements.

• Require the student to redo the work in question.

• Reduce the student’s grade on the work in question.

• Impose a failing grade for the assignment, quiz, or examination.

• Impose a failing grade for the entire course.

6.1.2 Report of Academic Misconduct to the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Upon receipt of a student conduct report regarding academic misconduct, the Conflict Resolution Facilitator (CRF) will review the documentation, meet with the student, and with the instructor if necessary, to make one of the following determinations:

• 6.1.2.1 If the CRF finds that the claim of academic misconduct cannot be substantiated, no action will be taken.
• 6.1.2.2 If the CRF finds that the claim of academic misconduct is substantiated and the student accepts responsibility for a violation of the Anchor, the student may waive their right to a hearing and accept restorative measures appropriate to the circumstances. The CRF may decide to take one of the following actions:

  • Accept the recommendation from the instructor.

  • Adjust the recommendation from the instructor.

  • Assess additional restorative measures appropriate to the current act of academic misconduct.

  • After a review of the student’s conduct record, assess additional restorative measures.

• 6.1.2.3 If the CRF finds there is reasonable cause to believe that the student has engaged in an act of academic misconduct and the student does not accept responsibility for the violation, the CRF will work with the student and the instructor to refer the matter to a hearing.

6.1.3 Hearing Procedures
The Hearing Officer will follow the procedures defined in Section 6.2.4.2 and will be assigned per the procedures in Section 7.1.

6.1.4 Appeal Procedures
The Appeal Officer will follow the procedures defined in Section 6.3 and will be assigned per the procedures in Section 7.2.

6.1.5 Final Resolution
No corrective action or restorative measure(s) will be imposed by the instructor or the University until the matter reaches final resolution, via the University conduct process.