Guide helps faculty carry out anti-cheating policies
PULLMAN – A step-by-step guide for faculty on implementing WSU’s academic integrity policy in the classroom is available ONLINE @ www.conduct.wsu.edu by clicking on “Resources” and then “Information for Faculty.”
“Follow this to the letter and it will help you immensely,” said Chris Wuthrich, associate director of the Office of Student Conduct, who handed out copies to senators at a recent Faculty Senate meeting. “Take it back to your departments and encourage your faculty to use it.”
The four-page brochure explains how faculty can include expectations of academic integrity, as well as consequences for violating those expectations, in their syllabi. Steps are outlined for confronting a student for cheating, and for pursuing outcomes depending on whether the student admits or disputes the allegation.
A sample letter from teacher to student is included.
The brochure explains that “preponderance of evidence” — and not proof “beyond reasonable doubt” — is the standard by which cases are assessed, Wuthrich said. That is, if a faculty member as a professional academic believes a violation has occurred, that understanding and documented evidence is sufficient.
The brochure supports WSU’s academic integrity policy, which was revised in August 2007.
“Academic integrity means a lot to the value of WSU degrees,” Wuthrich said.
