Changes in the Academic Integrity chapter of Miami University's Student Handbook saw mixed reviews at Monday afternoon's university senate meeting.
The newly approved version shifts responsibility of determining punishment for academic misconduct from individual department chairs to the deans of colleges. Previously, the student accused of misconduct met with the department chair and instructor, and the chair determined whether punishment was applicable and to what degree.
In the new version, the instructor presents the student and departmental adviser with evidence during a hearing. Then, if the chair or designee concludes the student committed academic dishonesty, the chair will provide a report and recommend punishment to the dean of the division in which the alleged violation occurred.
The dean must consult the division chair and faculty member before deciding not to follow the recommendation, but ultimately will be held responsible for issuing any sanction.
The revision eliminates the University Appeals Board, a five-person panel consisting of student and faculty senate members responsible for reviewing student appeals. Under the new policy, a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may appeal only by writing directly to the dean of his or her division.
Douglas Haynes, student representative and president of the Associated Student Government (ASG) senate, proposed a delay in voting on the issue, as requested by ASG.
"As it currently stands, the appeals board can re-hear cases due to new evidence and procedural defects," Haynes said. "When we pass this, no one will be allowed to re-hear the cases. That's a loss of a student right, as far as we're concerned."
Special Assistant to the Provost Richard Nault originally proposed the policy revisions. Nault said the re-hearing of cases is repetitive and overrides the decisions of faculty members.
"You cannot allow the appeals board to re-try the hearing," Nault said. "You cannot allow them to substitute their decisions."
Physics professor William Houk opposed the revisions, expressing concern at Monday afternoon's university senate and earlier meetings that faculty would lose control of academic discipline cases in their own classes.
He also said he was concerned that less faculty and student involvement in the academic sanction process would lead to more legal action against the university.
"Think of the legal aspects," Houk said. "We've got less people looking at cases that could lead to dismissal. We're going to see a lot more lawsuits."
