Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

The Integrity of Scholarship and Grades policy at MSU defines academic misconduct as any one of the following: academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic or admission records.

Academic dishonesty at Michigan State University is defined by the General Student Regulations as conduct that violates the fundamental principles of truth, honesty, and integrity. This could encompass everything from cheating on an exam, using another person’s work without proper attribution, or collaborating with other students on an assignment without an instructor’s permission.

How does MSU define academic misconduct?

INTEGRITY OF SCHOLARSHIP AND GRADES

(Note: This policy is not applicable to students in the MSU College of Law degree programs. The Law College follows American Bar Association requirements and the Law Students Rights and Responsibilities document. http://grad.msu.edu/lsrr/)

The following statement of university policy addresses principles and procedures to be used in instances of academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic or admission records, herein after referred to as academic misconduct. [See General Student Regulation 1.00, Protection of Scholarship and Grades.]

The principles of truth and honesty are recognized as fundamental to a community of scholars. The university expects both instructors and students to honor these principles and, in so doing, to protect the validity of university education and grades. Practices that maintain the integrity of scholarship and grades include providing accurate information for academic and admission records, adherence to unit-approved professional standards and honor codes, and completion of original academic work by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. To encourage adherence to the principles of truth and honesty, instructors should exercise care in planning and supervising academic work, and implement proctoring standards appropriate to the design of the course.

If an instructor alleges a student has committed an act of academic misconduct, the instructor is responsible for taking appropriate action. Depending on the instructor’s judgment of a specific instance, the instructor may give the student a penalty grade. A penalty grade may be a reduced score or grade for the assignment or a reduced grade for the course. [For a definition of “penalty grade”, see Student Rights and Responsibilities (SRR) 11 and Graduate Students Rights and Responsibilities (GSRR) 8.1.18.]

When an instructor gives an undergraduate or graduate student a penalty grade for academic misconduct, the instructor must complete and submit an Academic Dishonesty Report (available on the Registrar’s Form Menu under Instructor Systems). The report will be sent to the student, the student’s dean, the Dean of the Graduate School (for graduate students) or Dean of Undergraduate Studies (for undergraduate students) and be added to the student’s academic record provisionally. It will remain in the student’s record unless: a) the student successfully grieves the allegation; b) the instructor filing the report requests it be removed; or, for undergraduates only, c) upon conferral of their degree if only one report has been filed, the student has successfully completed the required course on academic integrity, and no additional sanctions were requested.

When completing the Academic Dishonesty Report, if the instructor gives a failing grade in the course, the instructor may request the student’s academic dean to impose sanctions in addition to the failing grade.

When in the judgment of the student’s academic dean, a sanction in addition to a penalty grade is warranted (e.g., dismissal from a unit or program), the dean may call for an academic disciplinary hearing. In calling for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean may act independently or in response to a request by the instructor. [See SRR 7.V., GSRR 5.5., and Medical Student Rights and Responsibilities (MSRR) 5.3.]

A student accused of academic misconduct may request an academic grievance hearing to contest the allegation before the appropriate hearing board. In cases involving academic misconduct, no student may be dismissed from a course or program of study without an academic disciplinary hearing.

On the first offense of academic misconduct, the student must complete an educational program on academic integrity and academic misconduct provided by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for undergraduate students or the Dean of the Graduate School for graduate students.

In cases involving undergraduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will refer the case to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to determine the appropriate judiciary for the hearing. [See SRR 7.V.]

In cases involving graduate students in which the student’s academic dean, or designee, calls for an academic disciplinary hearing, the student’s academic dean will inform the student and then refer the case to the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean of the Graduate School will notify the student in writing of the call for a disciplinary hearing and will invite the student to a meeting to discuss the hearing process. [See GSRR 5.5.]

Either party may appeal a decision of an administrative disciplinary hearing or a disciplinary hearing board to the appropriate appellate board. [See SRR 7.VII., GSRR 5.4.12., and MSRR 5.8.]

 

GENERAL STUDENT REGULATIONS

1.00 PROTECTION OF SCHOLARSHIP AND GRADES The principles of truth and honesty are fundamental to the educational process and the academic integrity of the University; therefore, no student shall:

1.01 claim or submit the academic work of another as one’s own.

1.02 procure, provide, accept or use any materials containing questions or answers to any examination or assignment without proper authorization.

1.03 complete or attempt to complete any assignment or examination for another individual without proper authorization.

1.04 allow any examination or assignment to be completed for oneself, in part or in total, by another without proper authorization.

1.05 alter, tamper with, appropriate, destroy or otherwise interfere with the research, resources, or other academic work of another person.

1.06 fabricate or falsify data or results.

 

GRIEVANCE IN THE COLLEGE OF MUSIC

The “Academic Freedom for Students at Michigan State University” (AFR) and the “Graduate Student Rights

and Responsibilities at Michigan State University”

(GSRR) documents establish the rights and responsibilities of MSU students and prescribe procedures for resolving allegations of violations of those rights through formal grievances. In accordance with the AFR and

the GSRR, the College of Music has established the following procedures for adjudicating student academic

grievances. These grievance procedures also can be used to resolve disputes regarding allegations of academic dishonesty and violations of professional standards. (See AFR 2.4.2, 2.4.4.1, 2.4.4.2, 2.4.6, 2.4.6.2, 2.4.8 and 2.4.9;GSRR 5.1.1, 5.1.2 5.1.3 5.3.2. 5.3.5, 5.4.1, and 5.5.2.)

Students may not request a grievance hearing to grieve dissatisfaction with the competence of instruction.

(See AFR and GSRR 2.2.1 and 2.2.2.)

 

A student who believes an instructor, including a graduate teaching assistant, has violated her or his academic rights should first attempt to resolve the dispute in an informal discussion with the instructor. (See AFR 2.4.2; GSRR 5.3.1 and 5.3.2.)

 

Students may not seek redress through a grievance hearing regarding alleged incompetence of instruction.

(See AFR 2.2.1 and 2.2.2; GSRR 2.2.1 and 2.2.2.)

 

If the dispute remains unresolved after discussion with the instructor, the student should consult the Chair of his/her respective applied or academic area in which the dispute occurred, the appropriate Associate Dean of the College of Music (graduate or undergraduate), and/or the University Ombudsman for assistance. (See AFR 2.4.2; GSRR 5.3.2.)

 

College of Music Studio Protocol regarding Physical Contact

The College of Music faculty and administration are committed to providing the best possible educational experience for every student enrolled in a music course. Music learning takes place in a variety of ways, but all students in each music degree program have the curricular requirement to enroll in private music lessons. Private lessons constitute an integral part of the college music major experience. The nature of private lessons is unique in that it establishes a regular one-to-one teaching model. It is very much a “power” relationship.

 

At times, presentation of pedagogical concepts may require a certain amount of physical contact between faculty and student, including issues of breathing, posture, positioning of an instrument, sound projection, stage presence, etc. Demonstrations of this kind can be very illuminating and edifying.

 

Each student responds to physical touching in a different manner; some are very comfortable with it, while others may feel very ill at ease with physical contact of any sort. Additionally, the teaching style of applied faculty members can vary dramatically concerning physical contact, from no contact whatsoever to frequent touching in an effort to demonstrate specific pedagogical concepts.

 

If a student has a concern or question about any physical contact between him/her and the teacher, that student should voice the concern to the teacher or ask if there might be another method of demonstrating the pedagogical concept.

 

This may take the form of a direct response informing the instructor that the student is uncomfortable with the physical contact and that the contact be curtailed. If the student is uncomfortable speaking with the instructor, the concern could be put in writing via a note or email to that instructor. Another suggestion might be to have a third party (accompanist or other student) present during lessons. At no time should a student feel threatened or uncomfortable in an applied lesson regarding the issue of physical contact. Asking questions or voicing any concern of this manner cannot affect a student’s grade.

 

If the student is apprehensive about approaching the instructor regarding any uncomfortable physical contact in an applied lesson, that student should speak with the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, or the Dean of the College of Music. It is important that private lessons maintain an educational atmosphere that is instructive, supportive, and professional.

 

If you wish to change studios please see College of Music Policy on Studio Teaching Assignments

On page 40 of the Undergraduate Handbook.

 

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY POLICY on Relationship Violence & Sexual Misconduct

MSU has established the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy in keeping with the university’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive campus community.

The policy, administered by OIE, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual harassment, including gender-based harassment, sexual assault/misconduct, relationship violence and stalking.

For complete information, including definitions contained in the policy, read the Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Policy.

For questions or concerns regarding accessibility, please reach out to MSU’s ADA Coordinator Office Director & ADA / Section 504 Coordinator, Tracy Leahy.

 

Please go to https://civilrights.msu.edu/policies/index.html to view the full policy on Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct.