Stony Brook University SUNY Korea

SKAP 170: Policy and Procedure Governing Undergraduate Academic Dishonesty

Definition of Academic Dishonesty
Intellectual honesty is the cornerstone of all academic work at SUNY Korea. Academic and Faculty Affairs oversees the reporting, review, and resolution process related to academic integrity violations.

Definition
Academic dishonesty includes any act that is designed to obtain fraudulently, either for oneself or for someone else, academic credit, grades, or other recognition that is not properly earned or that adversely affects another’s grade. The following represents examples of this and does not constitute an exhaustive list: 

• Plagiarism: copying someone else's writing or paraphrasing it too closely, even if it constitutes only some of your written assignment, without proper citation.  Even if this is done accidentally or in a minor or unfinished assignment (i.e., draft). 
• Representing work generated by artificial intelligence as one's own work.
• Collusion: two or more students helping one another on an exam or assignment when it is not permitted.
• Cheating on exams or assignments through the use of books, electronic devices, online resources, notes, or other aids when these are not permitted, or by copying from another student.
• Ringers: taking an exam for someone else or permitting someone else to take one’s exam or paying someone to take exam or complete assignments.
• Submitting the same paper in more than one course without permission from the instructors.
• Altering an exam or paper after it has been graded in order to request a grade change.
• Falsifying documents or records related to credit, grades, status (e.g., adds and drops, GPNC grading, transcripts) or other academic matter.
• Posting answers or requesting answers on websites, group chats, or social media when it is prohibited.
• Stealing, concealing, destroying or inappropriately modifying classroom or other instructional material, such a posted exams, library materials, laboratory supplies or computer programs.
• Preventing relevant material from being subjected to academic evaluation.
• Presenting fabricated excuses for missed assignment or tests.
• Falsifying attendance roster, signing in for someone else, unauthorized clicker use, using someone else's clicker.

Electronic Devices
Electronic communication devices - including cellular phones, speakers, calculators, electronic translators, smart watches, and headphones - must be secured in a closed container (and not, for example, worn on a belt or around the neck) and must be turned off (and not, for example, simply set on vibration mode) during any examination. Note: even if a student does not answer a ringing cell phone during an exam, it may be considered academic dishonesty for not having it turned off.

Academic Integrity Reporting and Review Process (SBU)

1. A suspected violation of academic integrity is to be reported to the Academic and Faculty Affairs through the online reporting form within two weeks of discovery. 
2. Faculty members are encouraged to consult with their Chair or Undergraduate Program Director before submitting an official accusation.
3. Course instructors must report suspected violations to Academic and Faculty Affairs and may not impose penalties independently.
4. The instructor may provide a recommended penalty in the accusation report submitted to Academic and Faculty Affairs.
5. Once the accusation is received, Academic and Faculty Affairs notifies the student(s) by email.
6. The student is instructed to schedule a meeting with the Team Leader of Academic and Faculty Affairs and a department coordinator may also participate to discuss academic implications.
7. The student receives a copy of the accusation report, including any supporting documentation and the instructor’s recommended penalty, if applicable.
8. The student has two weeks from the notification date to respond to the accusation and request a formal hearing, if applicable.
9. After reviewing the accusation and meeting with the student, the case may be referred to the Hearing Board for formal review and determination.
10. During the review process, the student’s academic record will temporarily show an “I”/”IN” grade and “pending academic dishonesty” remarks until the case is resolved.
11. While the case is pending, the student should continue attending classes and completing coursework.

Academic Integrity Reporting and Review Process (FIT)

1. Students who are found to have committed academic dishonesty or fail to adhere to established collaboration policies will be subject to penalties for breach of academic integrity.
2. If an instructor believes that a student has committed a breach of academic integrity, the instructor will notify the student and the department chair. 
3. The instructor will discuss the misconduct with the student and with the department chair, determine a penalty applicable to the particular course(s) involved—a failing grade on the project or exam, or a failing grade in the course—and notify the student, in writing, of the penalty. 
4. The notification letter from the instructor must be sent to the student not later than five business days following the date that the course instructor meets with the student to discuss the misconduct and verbally informs the student that the decision has been made to move forward with a formal charge of academic misconduct. 
5. Upon receipt of the notification letter the student may elect either to accept the determination of the course instructor or to challenge the determination.

Penalties and Academic Consequences (SBU Only)

Penalty Grades

• An F grade for the course is generally considered an appropriate penalty for an academic integrity violation occurring within the context of a course.
• Depending on the severity of the violation, a more severe penalty may be recommended. Cases involving premeditation, conspiracy, impersonation, unauthorized electronic devices, or repeated misconduct may result in suspension or expulsion.
• Faculty members may recommend an appropriate penalty; however, all suspected academic integrity violations and recommended penalties must be reported to Academic and Faculty Affairs for formal review and notification procedures.
• A course for which a penalty grade has been assigned may not be dropped or changed to Pass/No Credit (P/NC).

Q Grade and Academic Integrity Notation

• In addition to any penalty imposed, a student found responsible for a first academic integrity violation in a course-based case will receive a Q grade for the course.
• The Q grade indicates that the student has violated academic integrity policies and is included considered as an F grade during the review period.
• The student’s academic record will also temporarily include an “academic-dishonesty” notation.
• After successful completion of the required non-credit Academic Integrity Course (“Q Course”), the Q grade and academic-dishonesty notation will be removed. The Q grade will then be replaced by the final penalty grade assigned by the instructor.
• Students must complete the Q Course no later than the academic semester immediately following the final resolution of the case. Failure to complete the Q Course within the designated period may result in the Q grade becoming permanent.

Q Course Requirements

• Students found responsible for academic integrity violations are required to complete the University’s non-credit Q Course.
• The Q Course is conducted for 10 weeks during the fall and spring semesters and requires mandatory attendance at all sessions.
• Students are strongly encouraged to register for the course in advance upon receiving official instructions from Academic and Faculty Affairs.

Multiple Offenses

• A second or repeated academic integrity violation may result in suspension, permanent academic dishonesty notation, permanent Q grades, or expulsion from the University.
• The final decision regarding suspension or expulsion rests with the appropriate University administration. 
• The complaint should be submitted in writing within three weeks of the discovery of the alleged offense.

Appeals and Hearing

Appeals of Academic Dishonesty Allegations

• Anyone accused of academic dishonesty may appeal the accusation to Academic and Faculty Affairs.
• An accusation that is not appealed will be considered a finding of academic dishonesty.
• By appealing the charge, the student asserts that he or she did not violate University policy governing academic dishonesty.
• All appeals must be presented in writing no later than one month after notification.
• On receiving an appeal from any student, the hearing officer will ensure that an “I” is entered on the student’s record and that a hold is placed on the student’s transcript until the matter is adjudicated.
• Students who challenge an accusation for a course that is in progress should continue attending the class and completing coursework.
• Any student who is granted a hearing and is found guilty will receive penalties as described earlier. 
• A student who is found guilty and determined to have presented false evidence or false testimony at the hearing may have a second accusation of dishonesty brought against him or her by the hearing board, which would be associated with multiple, and more serious, penalties.

Hearing Boards
A hearing board will consist of one representative from Academic and Faculty Affairs, one representative from Student Affairs, two faculty members, and one student.  One of the faculty members shall be from the department related to the case to provide academic expertise.   The Team Leader of Academic and Faculty Affairs will serve as hearing officer and will not have voting rights.  

Evidence
Students may be found guilty of academic dishonesty on the basis of direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or a combination of the two.

The Hearing

• The appellant will be given an opportunity to address the hearing board.
• The appellant may bring an advisor and/or witnesses.
• Advisors may counsel their advisees during the hearing but do not have the privilege of the floor.
• The hearing officer must be notified of the intention to bring advisors or witnesses no later than one working day prior to the hearing.
• The accuser should be present at the hearing and may also bring an advisor and/or witnesses.
• The hearing officer must be notified of the accuser’s intention to bring advisors or witnesses no later than one working day prior to the hearing.
• If the accuser is unavailable for the hearing, the charge must be detailed in writing and the accuser represented by a member of his or her department.
• The board may call its own witnesses and introduce pertinent information to the hearing.
• The accuser and the appellant may ask each other questions, as well as ask questions of each other’s witnesses.
• The hearing officer may dismiss any participant who exhibits disruptive behavior during the hearing.
• The board will attempt to reach a decision on the basis of the evidence regardless of the presence or absence of the persons concerned, their witnesses, or their advisors.
• In cases where reasonable notice of absence for cause has been given (at least 24 hours), the hearing will be postponed and rescheduled as soon as possible.
  • Hearings usually proceed as follows:
    1. The person or persons reporting the act of academic dishonesty make a statement summarizing the case. Evidence may be presented at this point to support the charge. This statement cannot be interrupted by questions or challenges.
    2. Then, the accused student makes a statement responding to the charge. The student may present evidence at this point supporting his or her innocence. The student’s statement cannot be interrupted by questions or challenges.
    3. If the hearing concerns multiple students accused of collaborative cheating, all accused students will be present for the instructor’s statement. Each will make a separate response statement with the other accused students not present. If a statement by any of the students implicates any of the others, that student will be informed so that he or she can respond.
    4. The members of the hearing board may ask questions of any of those present, including witnesses. Witnesses will usually not be present for the initial statements and will be called in to the hearing room only after initial statements are presented and the hearing board’s initial questions are answered. Their presence will usually be permitted only during their testimony. Either party may call witnesses.
    5. Although there is substantial variance, hearings usually are completed in one to one and a half hours. The outcome of the hearing is usually available 24 hours later. Students and instructors will be notified via email or a phone call. 

Committee Action

• At the conclusion of the hearing, the board will make a decision of “guilty” or “not guilty.” All decisions will be made by the majority of the members present. The individual votes and tally are not divulged.
• In the case of a guilty finding, the board will make specific recommendations regarding the penalty to the instructor and/or the chair of the department, as appropriate.
• When suspension or expulsion is recommended, the board will convey this recommendation to the appropriate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs who may then recommend suspension or expulsion to the president or who may impose a lesser penalty than that recommended by the hearing board.

Appeal of Committee Action

• The accused or the accuser may appeal the board’s finding to the appropriate Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs. It is strongly recommended that the appeals to must be based on new evidence and/or errors in procedure or conduct on the part of the hearing board. The Dean may elect to interview individual(s) that he or she deems appropriate to assist in reaching a decision on whether to uphold or reverse, in whole, or in part, the decision of the hearing board.
• This new appeal should be presented within seven business days of the original hearing board’s decision and the Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs will communicate his/her decision to the student in a timely fashion.
• The decision of the Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs will be final.

Confidentiality

• All records related to academic integrity cases are confidential and are accessible only to the committee and the chairs of academic departments.
• A Q grade and any relevant notation are accessible to anyone with access to the student’s transcript for the period during which they appear on the transcript. Generally, both the Q grade and notation are temporary and students can remove both from their transcript by taking the Q course.
   

Completion of Cases
Once a charge has been initiated, the hearing or review procedures prescribed by these rules will be completed whether or not the complainant or student remains associated with the University.

Responsible Department  l  Email Address  l  Contact Number
Academic and Faculty Affairs  l  academicaffairs@sunykorea.ac.kr  l  032-626-1115

Revision Date: July 6, 2026