Academic Dishonesty

The New College faculty considers academic dishonesty—cheating and/or plagiarism (presenting the intellectual work of others as one’s own)—to be a serious violation of the community's standards.

Academic dishonesty can result in dismissal from New College. If a student is in doubt about what practices are permissible in an examination, the student should consult the professor prior to sitting for the exam. If a student lacks understanding of how, in a paper or other presentation, to distinguish their thoughts from those of others, the faculty can refer a student to standard guidelines and discuss specific questions.

The New College Board of Trustees has adopted the following procedures to be followed when academic dishonesty is suspected or charged:

  1. An apparent violation of academic honesty is handled initially by the instructor, who will discuss the incident with the student. The student may request a meeting with their contract sponsor and the instructor to discuss the incident further. The instructor should contact the student’s contract sponsor and the Dean of Studies to inquire whether the student has engaged or allegedly engaged in academic dishonesty in the past.
  2. If the instructor decides, after the procedures in step (1) above, that further action is warranted, the instructor will inform the student that the issue is being referred to the Dean of Studies.
  3. The Dean of Studies may meet with the faculty member(s) and/or the student to resolve the issue or may convene a hearing board consisting of an equal number of students and faculty. The hearing board shall review evidence, hear witnesses, and consider all related matters. The Dean of Studies will provide the student with no less than 5 days’ notice prior the hearing. The respondent may have an advisor present, at the respondent’s own cost. If scheduling difficulties arise due to the availability of said advisor, the hearing will proceed regardless.
  4. The hearing board will provide the Dean of Studies with its determination of responsibility and recommendation for sanction. The Dean of Studies will consider the recommendation and impose the appropriate sanction.
  5. If found responsible, the respondent may appeal the Dean of Studies’ decision to the Provost. The appeal must be in writing, state with specificity the grounds for appeal, and be within 5 days of receiving the Dean of Studies decision.
  6. In the event of an appeal, the decision of the Provost shall be final.