RUNNING HEAD: EVIDENCE FILE
Evidence File
Kenyada Heard
Assessment, Accreditation, and Accountability
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Evidence File
Sexual Harassment
Arkansas State University follows the Northcentral Accredited Region HLC (Higher
Learning Commission). Under criterion two, Arkansas State University backs up the way it
presents itself to the public and how it acts responsibly. Criterion two of the HLC is IntegrityEthical and Responsible Conduct. Criterion two can be found at
https://hlcommission.org/Criteria-Eligibility-and-Candidacy/criteria-and-core-components.html.
Five evidence files used for criterion two are sexual discrimination policy, academic integrity
policy, campus website, logs of student complaints & how they’re resolved, and academic
freedom of expression.
The sexual discrimination policy and file of student complaints are used to protect
students, staff, and faculty. Sexual harassment falls under the sexual discrimination offenses. The
policy is there to so that people will know how things are handled if a sexual harassment issue
was to arise. The institution is responsible for establishing and following policies and processing
them fairly. The institution does not only represent the institution itself, but also its governing
board, administration, students, and faculty & staff. A-State’s sexual harassment policy is there
for reference, if any individual of the campus body ever has a sexual harassment problem.
No one should take the risk of jeopardizing their chance at a college education. Integrity
is about honesty and the sexual harassment policy explains what will happen if one is dishonest
in this situation. If there are files of student complaints of sexual harassment then students are to
speak with the Office of Affirmative Action. The policy helps individual’s to know what
procedure (s) to take. The sexual harassment policy discusses things in the U.S. department of
state sexual harassment policy. Therefore, it’s in the appropriate accredited area. Ways to avoid
and report sexual discrimination can be found at http://www.astate.edu/a/affirmative-
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action/sexual-discrimination/. If a student wants to report a complaint and/or concern it can be
done at http://www.astate.edu/a/affirmative-action/sexual-discrimination/confidentiality.dot.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity policy is another evidence file for criterion two. Cheating and
plagiarizing on assignments are wrong. The academic policy is there to defend the institution
when reports of cheating and/or plagiarism are presented to the proper department. Most students
are aware of the consequences for cheating and plagiarism. The policy is discussed on the
campus website, student handbook, campus catalog, etc. Most course syllabi discuss cheating,
plagiarism, and academic misconduct. Cheating and plagiarism is dishonesty within itself and the
whole point of integrity is to be truthful. Academic integrity is an act of being honest to keep a
student in good academic standing. A student is responsible for his/her own actions. Although
the academic integrity policy is on the campus website, handbooks and syllabi, faculty is
responsible for introducing students to it. Academic integrity is a way to help individual’s not
plagiarize and/or cheat because it causes serious problems. This is why it’s appropriate for
criterion two. For example, students may be kicked out of school for academic misconduct. The
webpage, http://www.astate.edu/a/hlc/resources/_files/_chapter-two/FC-Academic-Integrity.pdf
shows how different courses or programs enforce policies on academic honesty and integrity.
Cheating is not an option and citations are to be used when using someone else’s information.
Campus website
Arkansas State’s campus website presents the university clearly to its students and the
public. The website directs people in many different areas of interest, based on what a person
wants to know. A person can type what they’re looking for in the search bar on the website and it
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directs them to that specific area. The campus website lists the university’s academic programs,
admission requirements, an estimate of cost, and much more valuable information. Student
handbooks also present a great deal of helpful information to students and the public. The
campus website shows good representation of what A-State presents to the public.
Many students and parents use the campus website when trying to select a college to
attend so the university is here to make sure the information on the website is truthful and
understandable. The campus website even shows a calendar, which helps people to see when
things are to happen on campus.
Logs of student complaints & Resolution
Logs of student complaints show issues that the campus experience. The manner in which
the campus resolves those complaints helps students and parents to know that the university
takes responsibility for what’s going on.
Campus safety and security is vital to the college campus. Parents want to make sure that
their children are safe when sending them to college and seeing less complaints and how some
are resolved is helpful. Showing campus crime statistics is very beneficial. It helps students to
decide if Arkansas State is the university for them. The lower the crime rates the better. When
complaints decrease as they’re resolved, then it shows the campus is doing the right thing. The
institution makes decisions accordingly and assures the institutions integrity.
University police may be contacted if there is an emergency. It’s great to have
information resources and people to go to when one is having problems. A-State’s campus crime
statistics from 2011-2014 may be found at http://www.astate.edu/a/studentconduct/files/Crime+Stats14.pdf#page=7.
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Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and expression. The campus website and the
faculty handbook reflect the freedom of expression. A-State Daily Digest is a way that A-State
expresses freedom of speech and expression. Discussion boards are also a way freedom of
expression and/or speech is shown. Information on freedom of expression may be found at
http://www.astate.edu/a/student-union/freedom-of-expression/.
Arkansas State University strives to act with integrity and conduct all operations in an
ethical and responsible manner. The evidence is presented to you shows Arkansas State
University’s way of showing academic integrity and honesty. Arkansas State University has
many accomplishments and is continuing to work for ethical and responsible conduct. The
university protects its integrity with proper policies, procedures, and presentation.
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Evidence Web Links
http://www.astate.edu/a/affirmative-action/sexual-discrimination/discrimination-offenses.dot
http://comm.astate.edu/~mpitts/ACADEMIC%20INTEGRITY%20POLICY.pdf
www.astate.edu
http://www.astate.edu/a/student-conduct/files/Crime+Stats14.pdf#page=7.
http://www.astate.edu/a/student-union/freedom-of-expression/