Student Handbook > Student Code of Conduct > Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

Penalties for Academic Dishonesty

Two violations of academic dishonesty in any form that occur in a single course will result in an F in the course.  Specific penalties for specific violations are outlined as follows:

Cheating, Fabrication, Facilitation, and Falsification

For all other types of assignments (tests, quizzes, homework, lab work, etc.), first offenses of academic dishonesty will result in a zero on the assignment. For first offenses only, the instructor may, but is not required to, allow a revision or provide an equivalent of the assignment for a reduced grade.

For second offenses of academic dishonesty in a single course, the student will receive a zero on the assignment and an F in the course. 

For writing assignments, blatant plagiarism on a rough draft will be noted by the instructor and will serve as a warning.  For final drafts, on a first offense only, the instructor may, but is not required to, allow a rewrite with certain stipulations:

• If plagiarism has been noted in the rough draft and is not corrected in the final draft, the assignment will receive a zero and no rewrite will be allowed.
• If a draft opportunity is provided and the student does not take advantage of the opportunity, a plagiarized final draft will result in a zero and no rewrite will be allowed.
• In a situation in which there is no plagiarism in the rough draft or no rough draft is assigned, an instructor may, but is not required to, offer an opportunity to revise the assignment for a reduced grade.

In the case of a second offense of blatant plagiarism in a single course, the student will automatically receive a zero on the assignment and an F in the course.

Inadvertent plagiarism will be dealt with by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

Reporting of Violations

First offenses of suspected academic honesty violations will be handled by the instructor within fifteen business days of receiving evidence of a suspected violation. The instructor must meet with the student to discuss the suspected violation prior to submitting a referral. The meeting should take place face-to-face or virtually. After the meeting, the instructor should document the meeting with a follow-up email to the student (copying the division chair) summarizing the discussion and meeting outcome. If the student is found responsible, the instructor will submit a referral, which will be reviewed by the division chair for approval or denial, and kept on file in the Dean of Instruction’s office. If the student fails to communicate with the instructor, the instructor will complete the form without the student present and send the form to the Dean’s Office. The instructor should include information regarding the attempted communications with the student.

Second offenses of academic honesty violations will be handled by the instructor and the division chair within fifteen business days of receiving evidence of a suspected violation. Both the instructor and the division chair must meet with the student to discuss the suspected violation prior to submitting a referral. The meeting should take place face-to-face or virtually. After the meeting, the instructor should document the meeting with a follow-up email to the student (copying the division chair) summarizing the discussion and meeting outcome. If the student is found responsible, a referral will be submitted by the instructor, approved by the division chair, and kept on file in the Dean of Instruction’s office. The Dean of Instruction or designee will then send a letter to the offending student alerting the student of his or her course failure. If the student fails to communicate with the instructor and/or the division chair, the division chair should contact the Dean of Instruction.

Occurrences of Violations in Multiple Courses

Students who commit violations in more than one course while enrolled at ESCC will be subject to more severe penalties, up to and including academic probation or suspension, as determined by the Dean of Instruction or administrative designee.

This policy does not supersede a student’s right to withdraw from a course as outlined in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

*Students enrolled in certain programs may be subject to stiffer penalties as outlined by programmatic policy.

Appeal Process for Academic Honesty Violations

1. A student who wishes to appeal an academic dishonesty charge should first discuss the charge with the course instructor within five business days of the student receiving notification of the charge.
2. If the matter is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction after discussing the issue with the course instructor, the student should contact the division chair within five business days from the meeting with the instructor.
3. If a mutually satisfactory agreement is not reached with the division chair, the student may submit the appeal in writing to the Dean of Instruction within five business days from the meeting with the division chair.
4. The Dean of Instruction, or designee, will provide a written response to the student within ten business days of receiving the written appeal. The Dean’s response to the appeal is final.