A FACULTY GUIDE TO ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
Larry D. Bolles
Director, University Judicial Office
Northern Illinois University
Academic Misconduct Defined
It is common knowledge that cheating is a violation of all student judicial codes, usually
defined as Academic Misconduct:
Academic Misconduct: Receipt or transmission of unauthorized aid on assignments or
examinations, plagiarism, unauthorized use of examination materials, or other forms of
dishonesty in academic matters.
It is a fact of life, albeit an unpleasant one, that some NIU students cheat. This guide will
provide information to reduce the likelihood of cheating and steps to take to hold those
who are charged with such an offense accountable.
How to Encourage Academic Honesty

Prepare your students, preferably in writing and well in advance of an exam, about
your expectations for academic behavior. Let students know whether any materials will
be allowed in the exam room, whether collaboration is permitted and what that includes,
and whether writing in the text or notecards marking pages will be allowed.

If possible, use the course syllabus to inform your students about what constitutes
academic misconduct in your particular course and then discuss it with your class.

Discuss the consequences of academic misconduct in your class.

Encourage students to question you if they are in doubt about the restrictions and
exceptions in your class.

Inform students of the resources available to them if they are having difficulty with
the material.

Take preventative steps to promote academic honesty during exams.

Spread students out within the classroom as far as possible. If classroom crowding is
beyond your control, multiple forms of the same tests on differently colored paper may
be helpful.

Actively proctor tests. Do not leave the classroom when a test is in progress. The
instructor and any teaching assistants should be present. If possible, all outside materials
should be placed in a single location within the classroom.

Provide scratch paper by stapling it to the answer sheets. If test booklets are allowed,
collect them prior to the test and randomly distribute them to thwart any attempt to place
answers in the booklet prior to the test.

Prearrange seating alphabetically or by using a sign-in sheet. Upon completion of
the test/exam have students leave their papers at their seats face down. Collect all papers
in sequence by rows thus allowing for detection of copying or sharing of answers during
the test.

Before the test starts, announce that there will be no communication between
students. Do not allow students to share calculators.

If you allow students to use notes or a page of formulas, consider providing that
document yourself at the start of the exercise.

Secure the exam in a locked office and desk or file until you are ready to administer it
If you suspect academic misconduct:

Take note of the time and/or circumstances of the suspected incident.

If possible, get a “second opinion” of your suspicions.

Explain your concerns to the student.

Put your concerns regarding the incident in writing and include copies of the original
exam or assignment with examples of the student’s misconduct marked and any
supporting documentation.
When to refer academic misconduct cases to the University Judicial Office:
The Student Judicial Code specifies who has jurisdiction in cases of academic misconduct.
A faculty member has original jurisdiction over any instances of academic misconduct
that occur in a course which the faculty member is teaching. The student shall be given
the opportunity to resolve the matter in meetings with the faculty member and the department chair. If the student, the faculty, does not dispute the facts of the incident
member may elect to resolve the matter at that level by levying a sanction no greater than
an ‘F’ for that course. The faculty member shall notify the student in writing whenever
such action is taken, and the University Judicial Office shall receive a copy of the Academic Misconduct Incident Report indicating final disposition of the case which will be
placed in the student’s judicial file. In all matters where the charge of academic misconduct is disputed by the student or if the faculty member believes a sanction greater than
an ‘F’ in the course is appropriate (such as repeat offenders or flagrant violations), the
faculty member shall refer the matter to the University Judicial Office making use of the
Academic Misconduct Incident Report. Sanctions greater than an ‘F’ in a course can be
levied only through the University Judicial System.
The referral must contain all relevant evidence or information related to the allegation
and the grade that would have been assigned to the student’s work had the alleged
academic misconduct not occurred. The faculty member may not assign a final grade to
the relevant test, paper, or course until the Class II Judicial Hearing Board makes a
determination as to the student’s guilt or innocence as outlined in the Student Judicial
Code. In instances where a course grade is necessary, the Judicial Office shall notify the
Records Office and the faculty member that a not reported (NR) shall be entered; and the
Records Office shall record an NR.
If during its investigation of the facts relevant to the charges an issue surfaces which is
not in the purview of the Judicial Office, it shall be referred back to the appropriate
academic area. The individuals involved shall receive written notification of such action.
If the results of the academic misconduct hearing are that the student is guilty, the Class
II Judicial Hearing Board will levy a sanction taking into consideration the recommendations of the faculty member. The hearing officer for the Class II Judicial Hearing Board
will notify the faculty member of the determination, and the faculty member shall initiate,
in writing, a grade change as appropriate.
If the determination is not guilty, the hearing officer for the Class II Judicial Hearing
Board will notify the faculty member of the determination. The student will receive the
grade that he or she would have received on the test, paper, or course in question had the
allegation of academic misconduct not been made.
The student will have the right to appeal either the sanction levied by a faculty member
for academic misconduct or the decision of the Class II Judicial Hearing Board to the
Judicial Appeals Board. The student has five (5) academic days to submit a written
appeal as outlined in the Student Judicial Code. The hearing officer will notify the
faculty member and the Records Office, when appropriate, of the determination of the
University Appeals Board.
Finally, if you detect what you believe is an incident of academic misconduct and would
like advice on how to proceed, feel free to contact the University Judicial Office.