Faculty Honor Code

University of Utah Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program

Guidelines for Neuroscience Program (NP) Faculty Members Who Become Aware of Cheating or Other Misconduct.

Academic Misconduct

1. Examples: cheating, inappropriate collaboration, plagiarism, research misconduct, misrepresentation of one's work.
2. Upon faculty member's own observation or receipt of report of academic misconduct, faculty member should notify the Program Director. The Program Director will notify the Neuroscience Curriculum committee chair.
3. The NP Curriculum Committee must notify the student in writing of the issue. The student's advisor should also be informed and should serve as the student's advocate during all proceedings; in cases where the student's advisor has a conflict of interest, an alternate faculty member will be appointed to serve as the student's advocate. The Curriculum Committee should hold a meeting to discuss the issue with all involved faculty and the student within one month after discovery of incident.
4. Preferably within 5 business days after the meeting, the Curriculum Committee must provide the student and Program Director with written notice of the committee's recommendation.
5. Preferably within 5 business days after notice of committee's recommendation, the Program Director must provide the student and committee with written notice of the Program Director's decision and of the student's right to appeal to the Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee of one of the Colleges represented by the departments that comprise the Program (College of Science, or the School of Medicine).
6. If the Program Director determines that the student has engaged in academic misconduct, the Program Director may impose an academic sanction such as, requiring the student to rewrite paper(s) or retake exam(s), grade reduction, or failing grade, which is the most severe sanction the Program Director may impose. However, appropriate action may include, without limitation, a complaint by the Program Director to the Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee of one of the Colleges represented by the Program departments, recommending and seeking dismissal from the Program and/or the University.
7. If the Program Director imposes a failing grade, the Program Director must provide written notice to the appropriate Senior Vice President (Vice President for Health Sciences or Academic Affairs) of facts and circumstances supporting sanction.
8. If the Program Director, or the Vice President believes a sanction more severe than a failing grade is warranted, he or she should file a written complaint with an Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee and the student should receive a copy of the complaint.

Violations of Professional or Ethical Standards or Misconduct Demonstrating Unfitness for Profession or Discipline

1. Upon faculty member's own observation or receipt of report of professional or ethical misconduct, the faculty member should file a written complaint with the Program Director.

2. Upon receipt of complaint, the Program Director should gather and consider evidence and must discuss the accusation and evidence with the accused student and give the student an opportunity to respond.

3. The Program Director must determine whether reasonable basis exists to believe the student violated standards or engaged in other misconduct demonstrating unfitness and must notify the student and complainant of the determination, in writing, preferably within 10 business days after receivingstudent's response.

4. If the Program Director finds violation or other misconduct, the Program Director must determine whether informal resolution may be appropriate and, if so, take steps to achieve such a resolution.

5. If efforts at informal resolution are not appropriate or not successful, the Program Director must refer the complaint with his or her written recommendation for sanctions to the appropriate Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee with written notice to the student.

Other Misconduct (Non-Academic Behavior Problems)

1. Upon faculty member's own observation or receipt of report of violation of behavior standards, faculty member should file written complaint or advise reporting person to file written complaint with Dean of Students, preferably as soon as possible, but no later than 45 business days after incident or discovery of incident.

2. If faculty member believes immediate suspension is necessary to protect health or well-being of any member of University community or to prevent serious disruption of academic process, faculty member should contact Vice President for Student Affairs immediately to request suspension pending further evaluation or proceedings under Student Code.