While attending the university, all UB students are expected to maintain their academic integrity. While most students do not encounter problems with UB's policy on academic honesty, many are also unaware of the policy's terms and ramifications.
According to University Standards Article 3a, UB's definition of academic integrity is as follows:
"Students are responsible for the honest completion and representation of their work, for the appropriate citation of sources, and for respect for others' academic endeavors. By placing their name on academic work, students certify the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgements."
"I give Fs in the course if (cheating) happens," said William H. Baumer, director of undergraduate studies and professor of philosophy. "I suggest the other professors do the same."
Murray Cole, a sophomore physics major, said the University Standards are useful because "it puts a fair warning out to cheaters, and they know the consequences of their actions."
According to Kerry S. Grant, vice provost for academic affairs, only six to eight cases of academic dishonesty reach his desk each year. Often, though, faculty members will consult with Grant about a possible case of cheating.
"There are probably hundreds of cases where professors are going to students to talk about academic dishonesty," said Grant, "but the faculty is very good about it and will not go after a student unless they are absolutely sure."
Jason Magnuson, a senior communication major, said that cheating only hurts the cheater.
"You're here to learn the skills that you need for the rest of your life. It will catch up to you sooner or later," said Magnuson.
Brian McKenzie, a senior psychology major, agrees.
"I tend to say that it is probably the person who cheats (that suffers). They'll pass the exam but later on when they're at a higher level of study, they probably won't know what they should," he said. "It seems like a temporary solution at best."
William Evitts, a history professor, said although he has not encountered plagiarism, students might pass the work of others as their own without realizing what they are doing.
"The problem is that students lack the sophistication to properly cite things, not that they're trying to peddle off other people's ideas as their own," he said.
If a student is caught cheating, however, the punishment will come sooner rather than later; penalties range from failing a paper or test to being expelled from school, according to Grant. The wide range of penalties stem from varied circumstances.
"It is up to interpretation. Each case is different," said Grant.
Most cases of academic dishonesty are handled quickly within a department and do not even reach his desk, he said. He recommends that issues of academic integrity are resolved on a professor-student level.
"The more formal it gets, the higher the stakes," he said.
To avoid conflicts with academic dishonesty, the Office of Judicial Affairs and the Ombudsman, located in 252 Capen, offers a pamphlet dealing with academic integrity. The pamphlet recommends that students be aware of the individual policies of each department within the university as well as the general policy governing UB.
Jim Atwood, a chemistry professor, teaches a large lecture format class with around 800 students. The chemistry department's policy on academic dishonesty during examinations is to give the offenders minus credit on their exam.
"Cheating is a lower level class problem, and it doesn't occur in junior level and senior level classes," said Atwood.
Atwood said he finds more instances of cheating in his larger classes, usually filled with underclassmen. He credits this to the fact that his upper level classes are smaller, and he is able to give more personal attention to his students.
Other departments, such as the Department of Psychology and the Department of Women's Studies, follow the procedures found in the undergraduate catalog.
Xin He, professor of computer science and engineering, said he follows department policy regarding cheating.
"Depending on the severity of the situation, they might get an F or a zero on an assignment," he said.
Students accused of academic dishonesty have the right to appeal their punishment by going to the department in which they were accused and asking for a meeting between selected professors and the department head to review the case.
If the student in question is displeased with the results of the departmental meeting, an appeal can be made to the vice provost's office. The case is then reviewed by a panel that is composed of faculty and students selected by the deans; no one on the panel is from the student's department.
This removes any chances of a conflict of interest, according to Grant. The panel then gives Grant a recommendation on the case, which Grant usually follows. Grant said he feels that going against their recommendation removes the panel's purpose.
After appealing to the vice provost's office, the student has exhausted all avenues available on a campus level.
Appeals most often occur, Grant said, because of a debate over punishment. While an F is the most frequent penalty, even failure has different levels. Although an F will be noted on a student's transcript, it can appear as either a typical failure for the course or a failure noted for academic dishonesty. According to Grant, students will fight for a failure of the course rather than having academic dishonesty noted on their record.
"An F for academic dishonesty has life consequences," he said.
Adia Jordan, a senior communication major, said a professor once told her of an instance when he failed a student for academic dishonesty and noted it on the student's transcript.
"If you ever tried to transfer into another school or get into grad school, it becomes a problem," she said.
Expulsion is another penalty for academic dishonesty, although implemented less often. Only UB President William R. Greiner has the power to expel a student.
"Greiner is reluctant to expel a student and demands that the expulsion is justified," said Grant. "Any doubts must be removed, and it is an absolute last resort. There are a thousand other ways to redirect a student without expulsion."
UB's policy on academic dishonesty can be viewed at http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/judicial/art3a.shtml.
