COMMUNITY OF SCHOLARS
Summer 2016
Program Policies
We are delighted to welcome you to the AU community! While you are here, you will be expected to follow
the American University Code of Conduct and the Policies and Procedures of the Community of Scholars
program (collectively “Policies”). Several of these Policies stem from local, state, and federal laws, while
others emphasize safety and academic growth. We ask that students and parents/guardians read over these
Policies carefully as failure to read the rules does not constitute an excuse for unacceptable behavior. Please
review the Policies, sign, and mail the signature page back to the Community of Scholars office by June 1,
2016.
A. Alcohol and Other Drugs
In accordance with D.C. and Federal law, Community of Scholars students may not use, possess or sell any
alcoholic beverages, narcotics, undocumented prescription drugs or illegal drugs. Possession may be defined
as a student’s presence in a location in which alcohol or illegal drugs are readily available, regardless of
evidence of student use. Students are prohibited to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, and will
be expelled at any visible signs of intoxication.
B. Academic Honesty
Violating standards of academic conduct is a serious matter subject to discipline. Types of violations are listed
and defined below. This section provides explanations and illustrations but does not exhaust the scope of
these violations. Academic integrity is not merely a matter of conforming to rules; it must be understood in
terms of the broader purposes of a university education.
1. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the representation of someone else’s words, ideas, or work as one’s own without
attribution. Plagiarism may involve using someone else’s wording without using quotation
marks—a distinctive name, a phrase, a sentence, or an entire passage or essay.
Misrepresenting sources is another form of plagiarism. The issue of plagiarism applies to any
type of work, including exams, papers, or other writing, computer programs, art, music,
photography, video, and other media.
2. Inappropriate Collaboration
Inappropriate collaboration occurs when work that the professor presumes is original to the student is
in fact the product of collaboration so close that the originality is no longer individual to the student.
Professors often expect students to study together, to brainstorm together, and to read and criticize
each other’s work; group projects also require much collaboration. However, these forms of
appropriate collaboration become inappropriate when the originality of the work is lost. In addition,
for many assignments, such as take-home examinations and some homework assignments, professors
specifically limit or restrict collaboration, requiring that all of the work is entirely the student’s own.
Before submitting work, students should clarify with their professors what forms of collaboration are
appropriate for that assignment.
3. Dishonesty in Examinations (In-Class or Take-Home)
Dishonesty or cheating in examinations is the use of inappropriate or unauthorized materials,
information, or study aids in a test. Unless the instructor directs otherwise, an examination is assumed
to be solely a student’s own work. No communication is allowed among students either through voice,
written, electronic, or any other form of transmission, nor are students permitted to consult books,
papers, study aids or notes without explicit permission. Dishonesty in examination includes but is not
confined to copying from another’s paper, giving or receiving unauthorized assistance, obtaining
unauthorized advance knowledge of questions on an examination, and using mechanical or marking
devices or procedures to achieve false scores on machine-graded examinations. Specific policies
regarding examinations may vary with individual professors.
4. Dishonesty in Papers
Dishonesty in papers covers but is not limited to submitting material obtained from another person or
company or purchased from either. All papers and materials submitted for a course must be the
student’s original work unless the sources are cited.
5. Fabrication of Data
Fabrication is the falsification, distortion, or invention of any information or citation in academic work.
Examples include, but are not limited to, inventing a source, deliberately misquoting, or falsifying
numbers or other data.
6. Interference with Other Students’ or Scholars’ Work
Interference with the work of others covers but is not limited to acts that deny others access to
scholarly resources, or deliberately impede the progress of another student or scholar. Examples
include sabotaging laboratory experiments or research, giving misleading information, knowingly
deceiving other members of a project team or group, disrupting class work, making library material
unavailable to others, or altering the computer files of another.
7. Bribes, Favors, and Threats
Students may not bribe, offer favors to, or threaten anyone with the purpose of affecting a grade or
the evaluation of academic performance.
9. Other Academic Misconduct
No specific set of rules or definitions can embrace every act of academic misconduct. A student who
employs any form of academic deceit has violated the intellectual enterprise of the university.
C. Class Attendance and Participation
Students are expected to attend all classes, guest lectures, and site visits associated with their course.
Following all structured activities, non-resident students may remain on campus until 5 p.m. to use the library,
fitness center, and other AU facilities. The Program Director will be available during this time for any
problems, questions, or concerns students may have. If a student is ill and cannot attend class, he or she
must contact the Program Director at (202) 885-2442 so that the professor can be notified and arrangements
can be made to complete assignments. It should be noted that active classroom participation is essential to a
student’s academic performance.
D. Dress Code
Students will be expected to maintain appropriate dress throughout the program.
The dress code will vary depending on the events of the day. For certain site visits or guest speakers you will
be required to dress business casual. Business casual dress for boys means a button-down, collared shirt
tucked into khaki or dress pants (no blue jeans), and dress shoes or loafers (no athletic shoes, sandals, or flipflops). Jacket and tie are optional. Girls should wear a nice knit top or blouse (no halter, tube, or spaghettistrap tops) with dress pants (no blue jeans) or business appropriate skirt, or business appropriate dress, and
dress shoes or sandals (no athletic shoes or flip-flops).
E. American University’s Code of Conduct. The complete list of prohibited conduct is found here:
http://www.american.edu/ocl/sccrs/upload/AU-Student-Conduct-Code.pdf
This list includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. physical abuse of any person, including, but not limited to, physical assault with bodily injury
2. conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person
3. conduct of a sexual nature, including, but not limited to, sexual contact or physical exposure directed
at another person(s) without consent
4. using, possessing, distributing, or manufacturing a weapon, or possessing any object produced as a
weapon
5. arson
6. violation of local, state, or federal law
7. intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning, or threat of fire, explosion,
or other emergency
8. theft of property or services or knowingly possessing stolen property
9. harassment or intimidation
10. in university matters not covered by the Academic Integrity Code: dishonesty; misrepresentation;
fraud; forgery; or knowingly using false information, documents, or instruments of identification
11. intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging university property or the property of others
12. entry, attempt to enter, or remaining without authority or permission in any university office,
residence hall room, university sponsored event, or university premises
13. tampering with, or unauthorized or fraudulent use of, campus telephone equipment, telephone credit
cards, or access codes
14. abuse of university computer equipment, networks, systems, or services
15. intentionally or recklessly interfering with normal university or university-sponsored activities,
including, but not limited to, studying, teaching (including class sessions and office hours), research,
university administration; or fire, police, or emergency services
16. disorderly conduct or interfering with the rights of others
17. illegal gambling or gaming, as defined by state or federal law
18. willfully failing to comply with the directions of university officials, including public safety officers or
housing staff members, acting in performance of their duties
19. unauthorized use of the university’s corporate name, logo, or symbols
20. violations of other published nonacademic university regulations or policies, including, but not
limited to, policies related to discrimination and discriminatory harassment, sexual harassment,
computer use, the residence halls, hazing, and amplification of sound
21. attempting to engage in any of above prohibited conducts
22. violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with this Code
I have read the above Policies and understand that I am required to follow them at all times during the
Community of Scholars program. Failure to abide by these policies may result in disciplinary action that
could include immediate dismissal from the program, loss of academic credit, and forfeiture of deposit,
tuition, and fees.
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Student Signature
Date
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Parent/Legal Guardian Signature
Date