Academic Honesty Pledge

The collegiate experience depends on the absolute integrity of the work completed by each student and it is imperative that students maintain a high standard of honor in their course work. Academic honesty is essential to develop students' full intellectual potential and self-esteem. Academic dishonesty involves, but is not limited to, one of the following: giving or receiving, offering or soliciting unauthorized assistance on any exam or assignment; plagiarism or collusion.

Procedures in Cases of Academic Dishonesty

1. If a faculty member suspects a student of academic dishonesty, he or she will discuss this suspicion and the reasons privately with the student involved. Then, if the instructor is convinced that the student is guilty of academic dishonesty, one or more of the following penalties may be imposed by the instructor depending on his or her judgment as to the seriousness of the offense:
   • Reprimand the student.
   • Require that the work in question be done over.
   • Assign a grade of zero on the work involved.
   • Assign a grade of F for the course.

   If more than one student is involved, the situation must be discussed with each one individually.

2. The faculty member must keep any documentation and evidence of the violation for reference in case of an appeal.
3. In addition, the faculty member must send a completed LFCC report of academic dishonesty form to the vice president of learning. The student must be provided the opportunity to read and sign the form, indicating that he or she is aware of the report and of the right to appeal. The student may provide the vice president a separate written response if desired. The vice president will keep the report as part of the student's disciplinary record (separate from the student's academic record). The vice president will also inform each student in writing that he or she is on disciplinary probation and that future violations may result in more severe sanctions as described in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct.
4. A student has the right to appeal the instructor's decision to the vice president of learning. In this case, the disciplinary proceedings in the student handbook will be followed. If the instructor's decision is reversed on appeal, the vice president will remove the report of academic dishonesty from the student's disciplinary record.
5. If the vice president receives a report of academic dishonesty on a student who already has such a notice on file and neither case is reversed on appeal, the student may be suspended for no less than one semester.
6. A third violation of academic honesty by a student may result in expulsion from the College.