Academic Integrity

Integrity Matters

Academic integrity in its best form involves upholding the principles and expectations of doing one’s own work and giving credit to others for theirs. Academic integrity strengthens the educational environment by valuing original work and providing a fair environment for all students.

Policies

Baruch College Academic Honesty Policy:
Baruch College expects that students will give credit to the proper sources for their work, meet their professors’ expectations when doing group work, and prepare for and take examinations without the assistance of prohibited sources or tools.

Penalties for academic dishonesty may include academic sanctions, such as failing the course(s) in question or otherwise receiving reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, which include suspension or expulsion from the institution. To review the College’s specific policies and sanctions, please visit: provost.baruch.cuny.edu/academic-affairs/teaching-and-learning/academic_honesty

CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity:
Baruch’s policies are a reflection of the expectations set forth by the City University of New York. Check here to review the CUNY Academic Integrity policies (PDF).

Cheating has Consequences:
Cheating has consequences. Your actions. Your future.
Fail the class. If you are found responsible for cheating, you may fail the class. Check your syllabus to see how academic integrity is handled in your courses.
Suspension. If found responsible for cheating, you may be suspended. In September 2020, 7 students were suspended from one class for cheating. Keep on track by doing the right thing.
Report Cheating. Cheating has consequences. Report cheating in your classes: don’t let someone else cheating their way to a curved high grade lower yours!

Avoiding Academic Dishonesty:
There are several strategies students should use to avoid plagiarism and cheating, and to maintain academic integrity in group projects.

Process

How to Report Academic Integrity Violations:
Please use this link (www.pavesuite.com/Baruch/PublicPortal/HomePage) to report any concerns of academic integrity violations. Please be prepared to provide information on the accused student, and any relevant information or evidence regarding your concerns. Download the Guide for Submitting an Academic Integrity Report (text version of the guide).

General Overview
Students are notified by the Office of the Dean of Students when they have been accused of violating an academic integrity policy. Students are required to meet with the Associate Dean of Students or their designee to discuss the issue. This is the student’s opportunity to provide any explanations, evidence or information they would like considered. Failure to meet can result in a hold being placed on the students account.

In alignment with CUNY Policy and Article XV, decisions are made based on a preponderance of evidence. A decision is then made to determine if the student is found “responsible” or “not responsible” for violating policy. If found responsible, the student will be assigned any appropriate sanction(s).

Appeals
Students accused of violating academic integrity policies are found to be either ‘responsible’ or ‘not responsible’. If found responsible for violating policies, students can receive two separate sanctions: disciplinary and academic. A disciplinary sanction is set by the Dean of Students Office, and as outlined by CUNY policies can include a warning, probation, suspension or expulsion. An academic sanction is determined by the instructor and may include deduction of points, failure on the exam or assignment, failure in the class or anything else the instructor has identified in their syllabus.

When found responsible, students have the right to appeal the decision and the sanctions. There are three ways a student can appeal an academic integrity decision at Baruch College:

1. Appeal the Disciplinary Sanction
   To appeal the disciplinary sanction (ex. Warning, Probation, etc.), email Vice President/Dean of Students Art King with a narrative of your appeal explaining why you believe the decision should be changed, and be sure to attach any supporting evidence. Dean King will then review your appeal and any associated evidence and follow up with you directly.
2. Appeal the Academic Sanction
   To appeal the academic sanction (ex. Failure on an assignment, failure in a class, etc.), follow the grade appeal procedures as outlined by the academic department or academic Dean’s Office. Typically, this requires you provide a narrative of your appeal and any supporting evidence.
3. Appeal the Decision and both the Disciplinary and Academic Sanctions
   To appeal both sanctions, put your request for a hearing in writing via email to the Associate Dean of Students. A hearing will then be arranged so that your case can be heard in front of the Faculty Student Disciplinary Committee comprised of faculty, staff and students. You will have the opportunity to share any evidence, as will Baruch. The committee will then determine if you are responsible or not. If you are found responsible, sanctions will be assigned by the committee

More information can be obtained by reviewing Article XV of the CUNY Policy.

Statistics/Findings

Academic Integrity Statistics:
Faculty are obligated to report any suspected violations of academic integrity policies, such as cheating and plagiarizing to the Office of the Dean of Students. Data is shared with the Baruch Community via the Office of the Dean of Students website on any administrative sanctions (e.g., warnings or suspensions) imposed, and, when known, academic sanctions leveled by members of the faculty (e.g., F for the assignment or exam or F for the course). All information is anonymous. Cases reported at the end of a month may not be heard by the time reports are shared. See monthly academic integrity reports.

Resources:
See the list of resources on academic integrity for both students and faculty, and learn the Bearcat Commitment.

For further information on matters relating to Academic Integrity, contact Dr. Annie Virkus-Estrada in the Office of the Dean of Students at (646) 312-4570, Room 3-175, Newman Vertical Campus.