FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENT AFFAIRS:
Being a member of the John Muir College community is a privilege and tied to that privilege is the responsibility of being a positive, contributing member. Understanding your rights and responsibilities is essential for every member of the community.
The following section outlines the policies of the university as it relates to discipline for both academic and non-academic behaviors. It is my hope that you will read this information carefully and ask questions for anything you do not understand.
My best wishes for a positive and productive tenure at John Muir College, UC San Diego.
Patricia Mahaffey
Dean of Student Affairs
The university expects that ALL students will:
1. respect the rights, well-being and property of others,
2. respect the academic process, and
3. not interfere with university business, events, or activities.
To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UCSD strives to maintain a climate of fairness, cooperation, and professionalism. These principles of community are vital to the success of the university and the well being of its constituents. UCSD faculty, staff, and students are expected to practice these basic principles as individuals and in groups.
We represent diverse races, creeds, cultures, and social affiliations coming together for the good of the university and those communities we serve. By working together as members of the UCSD community, we can enhance the excellence of our institution.
It seems that there’s a policy covering just about everything you can imagine; the university has a Polices and Procedures Manual that fills more than a yard of shelf space. Muir’s Business Office has a copy and will help you check out any question you may have. Of course access to information and questions most frequently asked by students is available online through the official University of California, San Diego Student Conduct Code.
The Academic Senate has publicized official regulations for UC SAN DIEGO regarding cheating, plagiarism, and similar slimy practices. As a member of an academic community all faculty and students have the responsibility to uphold the academic standards of the university and academic dishonesty is not tolerated.
You are encouraged to review this information carefully. There are many ways to cheat or plagiarize, all of them are unacceptable. Presenting academic work to an instructor as your own, when it was really done by someone else (be it William Shakespeare or the kid in the next seat at your exam) is prohibited. Likewise, bringing a "cheat sheet" to an exam or peeking at lecture notes or a textbook during an exam is forbidden. Changing your answers on an assignment or exam after it was graded and returned to you, and then claiming that it was graded incorrectly, is another popular way to violate the Integrity of Scholarship regulations. Doing a computer assignment, lab assignment, or exam with someone else, when you’re expected to fly solo, is also a violation. "Plagiarism" is a special form of cheating in which you copy words directly or rephrase ideas from someone else—or even from work you’ve done for another course—without giving proper recognition of your source.
Should questions arise about how to properly cite a source or for more information about academic integrity please contact the Dean of Student Affairs, your professor or stop by the Muir Writing Program Office. What follows includes portions of the UCSD Scholarship of Integrity developed by the Academic Senate.
Integrity of scholarship is essential for an academic community. The University expects that both faculty and students will honor this principle and in so doing protect the validity of University intellectual work. For students, this means that all academic work will be done by the individual to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind. Instructors, for their part, will exercise care in planning and supervising academic work, so that honest effort will be upheld.
Students' Responsibility
Students are expected to complete the course in compliance with the instructor's standards. No student shall engage in any activity that involves attempting to receive a grade by means other than honest effort; for example:
The professor responsible for bringing forward the charge of academic dishonesty has the option of meeting individually with you prior to forwarding the case to the Academic Integrity Coordinator (AIC). The instructor must assign an “IP” for the course until the case is resolved. The Professor has the sole authority to dismiss or pursue charges of academic misconduct. Students are not allowed to drop from a course in which a charge of academic misconduct is pending.
You will be required to attend a meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs (Dean), during which s/he will review the procedures and invite you to ask any questions about the student conduct process. The Dean will explain the allegation(s) of academic misconduct against you and will invite you to participate in a discussion toward an informal resolution of the allegation(s). If you accept responsibility for the misconduct as alleged, the sanctions are twofold: First, an administrative sanction(s) will be proposed at the initial meeting with the Dean. This proposed sanction must be approved by the Council of Deans prior to the sanction being recorded. Second, the instructor will assign a grade for the course.
If you disagree with the charge(s) or deny any involvement in the misconduct as alleged, you have the right to a formal hearing before the Academic Integrity Review Board. The following information is intended to explain the process and help you understand your rights.
The severity of the sanction is dependent on the nature of the offense and your disciplinary history.
Possible administrative sanctions include:
Non-Academic Disciplinary Probation: written notice that if you engage in violations of the Student Conduct Code (including UCSD’s Policy on Integrity of Scholarship) again during a specified period of time, you will incur more serious discipline (such as suspension or dismissal from UCSD).
Suspension or Dismissal: termination of student status for a specified or indefinite period of time. Conditions for your return may be imposed and may require approval of the Chancellor.
Educational Sanction with Fees: may include the Academic Integrity Seminar, a class coordinated through Academic Integrity Office. The Seminar cost is $75.00.
Reflection Paper: A paper reflecting on expectations of students in college pertaining to academic integrity and honesty, citing appropriate sources.
Exclusion From Areas of Campus/Official University or UCSD Functions: can be imposed, for cause, on a suspended or dismissed student.
Possible academic penalties may include (please refer to course syllabus): Failing grade on the assignment, quiz or exam in which the cheating took place or a failing grade in the course.
Special Note: The grade you earn resulting from academic dishonesty remains factored into your overall UCSD GPA regardless if you repeat the course.
University disciplinary regulations and procedures are quite complex. Students accused of misconduct should always refer directly to the Student Conduct Code, to view the full text of the regulations, learn about disciplinary procedures, and ascertain their rights. A plain language summary of these regulations, titled “Essential Information,” is available at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs and Residential Life offices.
University regulations are summarized below. These regulations correspond to subsections of the Student Conduct Code beginning with 22.14.10.10 as numbered below. They were being revised as this book went to print.
IN ADDITION, if it appears that a student has also violated federal, state or local law, then s/he may also be referred to the criminal justice system for prosecution.
The university prohibits (on university property, or in connection with any university activity anywhere):
11. Other Dishonest Behavior. Examples include giving false information to a university police officer, or
reporting a false emergency (e.g., false fire alarm).
12. Forging, altering, or misusing university documents, including records, keys, ID’s, etc. One example
is using a parking permit that was purchased by another individual (NOTE: permits are never transferable).
13. Stealing, damaging, or destroying property; or possessing or selling stolen property.
14. Abusing computer facilities or time. University computer use policies are posted on
the Web at http://resnet.ucsd.edu/policies.shtml.
15. Misusing the name, insignia, or seal of the campus or the University.
16. Entering, possessing, or using University property, equipment, or resources without authorization.
17. Violating rules of university housing facilities.
18. Physical abuse, including conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person.
19. Battery, including physical abuse, unwanted touching, or fighting.
20. Sex Offenses, involving force/no consent, such as rape, sexual assault, or sexual battery.
21. Sex Offenses not involving force or with consent, such as statutory rape.
22. Sex Offenses such as indecent exposure, prostitution, or voyeurism.
23. Sexual Harassment. Refer to the Student Conduct Code (on Infopath, or at the Office of the Dean of
Student Affairs), for the exact definition.
24. "Stalking" another person.
25. Using "fighting words" to harass another person.
26. "Hazing", or other types of initiation activities that are likely to harm, degrade, or disgrace somebody.
27. Obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, administrative or disciplinary procedures, or other university business.
28. Disorderly conduct such as drunkenness.
29. Participating in a disturbance of the peace or an unlawful assembly.
30. Failing to identify yourself or comply with the directions of officials (university or otherwise) performing their
duties; or resisting or obstructing officials as they try to perform their duties.
31. Controlled substances: possessing, using, trying or actually manufacturing, dispensing, distributing, or selling them.
DRUGS: Aspirin can be purchased at the College Center or the UC SAN DIEGO Bookstore, and penicillin or other prescription drugs will be ordered for you by a Student Health Center physician and can be purchased at the Health Center Pharmacy. So-called “recreational drugs” are another matter altogether. The state of California (and the U.S. government) have classified certain drugs and substances as illegal, and those laws apply fully to UC SAN DIEGO students, including on-campus residents.
Flagrant use of drugs, for instance marijuana, is bound to come to the attention of a campus security or police officer, who will then have no choice but to take the same actions that a San Diego or L.A. policeman would. Occasionally students with a “green thumb” try to nurture a cannabis specimen in their window. If you’re tempted to do so, just say no! Finally, being a student working your way through college is fine, unless you try doing it by being your friendly neighborhood dealer. Such entrepreneurship is, to put it mildly, frowned upon by the powers that be (to whose attention your behavior inevitably will come). See “Discipline”.
ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION: Being on a university campus—and living in campus residence halls—in no way negates California state law regarding booze. State law prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages by anyone under the age of twenty-one. Campus policy further prohibits anyone from possessing or consuming booze—including beer—in public areas of campus, except under very carefully defined circumstances.
On-campus Residents should check the Muir Residential Life Handbook or consult with the Muir Residential Life Office for information about further restrictions, such as UC SAN DIEGO’s infamous “zero tolerance” keg policy. The bottom line: if you are under twenty-one, Thou Shalt Not Drink at UC SAN DIEGO!.
32. Alcohol: possessing, using, trying or actually manufacturing, dispensing, distributing, or selling alcoholic beverages
unless in compliance with university policy or campus regulations.
33. Possessing or using fireworks.
34. Possessing, manufacturing, or using firearms or explosive devices without the prior written approval of the
UC SAN DIEGO Chief of Police.
35. Possessing or using firearms or other weapons.
36. Violating conditions imposed in disciplinary action.
37. Violating conditions imposed in a written Notice of Emergency Suspension.
38. Selling or distributing course notes or related materials without authorization from the instructor.
1. A written summary of the charges will be sent or handed to you. This summary will describe the nature, time, and place
of the alleged incident. It will state the university regulation[s] allegedly broken, the name of the university official you
should contact, a deadline by which to do so, etc. You should also receive a useful brochure titled Essential Information.
2. At a preliminary meeting with the Dean of Student Affairs (or a member of the Student Affairs’ staff), s/he will review
the complaint and evidence, describe university regulations and disciplinary procedures, listen to whatever you volunteer
to say, discuss your options, and refer you to individuals who are available to give you counsel and advice. An informal
resolution of the complaint (“plea bargain”) will be discussed at this time.
3. Informal resolution: Should you and the Dean of Student Affairs or staff member reach an informal agreement, then
the penalties you accept will be imposed, and the process is concluded.
4. Review before a hearing board. If an informal resolution is not reached, then the student exercises his/her right
to a hearing before an appropriate hearing board or officer. Different “venues” and procedures may be involved,
depending on the nature of the alleged misconduct. Muir College has a college-wide Judicial Board.
The Student Conduct Code and Muir’s Essential Information brochure describe judicial board procedures, and outline the rights
of a student accused of misconduct. Copies are available from the Dean of Student Affairs, Resident Dean, or Student Legal Services.
5. “What if I am found not responsible?” Then you should suffer no negative consequences.
6. “What if I admit guilt, or I am found responsible?” Then appropriate disciplinary sanction(s) will be imposed. Possible
penalties include Warning; Censure; Loss of Privileges; Exclusion from Activities; Exclusion from Areas of Campus;
Restitution; Fines; Community Service, a lowered grade or failure of a course in which you cheated; Probation
(Residence Halls, and/or College); Suspension; or Dismissal.
7. May I appeal an unfavorable decision? Yes. The Student Conduct Code specifies circumstances, procedures, and
deadlines under which findings of responsibility, and/or specific sanctions imposed, may be appealed to a
higher authority.
