Academic Integrity Policy

  • All academic units at Rutgers University operate under a university-wide academic integrity policy.
    Allegations of academic integrity violations are processed by the individual academic units in which the violation was committed (for example, a School of Business student taking an economics course would be referred to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences for investigation, not the School of Business). All decisions for Rutgers University–Camden students, no matter what the level of the alleged violation, are made on our campus.  
  • A notable feature of the policy is that faculty members may choose to investigate and sanction Level 1 and Level 2 academic integrity violations.
    They may also request an Academic Integrity Facilitator (AIF) adjudicate the case. According to the policy, “Level 1 violations may occur as a result of inexperience or lack of malicious intent by the person committing the violation. Level 2 violations include misconduct of a more serious character or misconduct that affects a major, significant, or essential portion of work to be done to meet course requirements. These violations demonstrate premeditation or may have posed harm to others. The student alleged to have committed the violation may have one or more previous violations.”
  • Only Academic Integrity Facilitators may adjudicate Level 3 violations.
    According to the policy, Level 3 violations “represent the most serious breaches of conduct. They may involve a serious violation of a professional code of conduct; may include extreme cases of dishonesty and maliciousness or violations of law; and/or are likely to cause direct harm to others.” Possible sanctions for Level 3 violations include the grade of XF, suspension, or expulsion.

No matter the level of violation (Level 1, 2, or 3), the faculty member should use the Academic Integrity Initial Reporting Form to report the violation and wait to receive next steps from the Academic Integrity Coordinator. 

If the case is pending at a time when final grades are due, faculty are to assign the student a “TZ.”  The TZ may be changed once the responsibility and sanction, if applicable, are determined. This is the only situation in which a TZ may be used. 

Adjudication Procedures:

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Faculty Member Adjudicates

If the faculty member chooses to adjudicate the case them/him/herself (Level 1 and 2 violations only), please follow the step-by-step procedure as set forth below:

  • Within 15 business days of discovery, fill out and submit the Academic Integrity Initial Reporting Form. Wait to receive clearance from the Academic Integrity Coordinator. 
  • Send written notification to the student about the allegation of an academic integrity violation (use the attached “AI Violation Allegation and Meeting Request Letter Template Faculty Member Adjudicating” Word document).
    • Note that it is imperative that you offer the student a chance to meet. No decisions can be made about the student’s responsibility and sanction until the student has the opportunity to respond to the accusation. Students have five business days to respond to your initial notification. If they fail to respond, you may make a decision regarding their responsibility and the sanction based on the evidence you have.
  • After the meeting and within 15 business days, you must notify the student in writing either that 1) you found that no violation occurred (use the Inform Student That There Is No Violation Template) or 2) a violation occurred and that you have chosen a sanction (use the A.I. Violation Sanction Letter Template).   
  • Fill out, sign, and submit the Academic Integrity Final Reporting Form.
  • Submit all forms, letters, and supporting materials (e.g., the student’s paper and the sources s/he used) to the Academic Integrity Coordinator, Julie Roncinske.
Academic Integrity Facilitator Adjudicates
 

If the faculty member chooses to have an Academic Integrity Facilitator (AIF) adjudicate the case (available for all levels and REQUIRED for Level 3 violations), please follow the step-by-step procedure as set forth below:

NOTE: A student has the option to appeal both the finding and the sanction. The Dean of Students’ Office on the Camden campus administers the appeal process. 

Sample letters/emails for faculty member use:

Policy/Procedures:

Important Contacts:

  • Chief Academic Integrity Officer for the Camden Campus: Chancellor Antonio Tillis; Designate: Sandra Richtermeyer, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
  • Academic Integrity Facilitators (AIF) – Arts and Sciences: Joseph C. Schiavo (Undergraduate) and Michelle Meloy (Graduate)
  • Academic Integrity Coordinator – Arts and Sciences: Julie Roncinske