Academic Misconduct Definitions

• 101 Plagiarism
• • Portrayal of another’s work or ideas as one’s own.
• 102 Cheating
  • Using unauthorized notes or study aids; allowing another party to do one’s work/exam and turning in that work/exam as one’s own; getting help from another party without the instructor’s consent; submitting the same or similar work in more than one course without permission from the course instructors.
• 103 Fabrication
  • Falsification or creation of data, research, or resources, invention of any information or citation, or altering a graded work without the prior consent of the course instructor, including deliberate falsification with the intent to deceive in written or verbal form as it applies to an academic submission.
• 104 Multiple Submissions
  • The submission of substantial portions of the same assignment for credit more than once without the prior permission of all involved faculty members.
• 105 Bribery
  • Providing, offering, or taking rewards in exchange for a grade, an assignment, or the aid of academic dishonesty.
• 106 Aid of Academic Dishonesty
  • Intentionally facilitating any act of academic dishonesty.
• 107 Failure to Follow Published Academic Guidelines or Course Syllabi
  • Failure to follow published academic departmental guidelines, professor’s syllabi, and other posted academic policies in place for the orderly and efficient instruction of classes, labs, and use of academic resources and equipment.
• 108 Unauthorized Use or Possession of Educational Materials
  • Unauthorized possession of examinations, reserved library materials, laboratory materials, or other course-related materials.
• 109 Failure to Follow Instructions in an Academic Setting
  • Failure to follow the instructor or proctor’s test-taking instructions, including but not limited to not setting aside notes, books, or study guides while the test is in progress, failing to sit in designated locations, and/or leaving the classroom/test site without permission during a test.
• 110 Falsification of Transcript or Academic Records
  • Falsification of student transcript or other academic records; or unauthorized access to academic computer records.

Student Academic Responsibilities

Student academic responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Inquire about course or degree requirements if they do not understand them or are in doubt about them.
• Maintain the standards of academic performance established for individual courses and programs of study.
• Maintain academic ethics and honesty by following the University’s Honor Code and the TAMUK Student Code of Conduct.
• Act by commonly accepted standards of academic conduct professionalism and decorum to not interfere with the rights of students and faculty to learn, conduct class, and/or carry out their research and creative activities.

Students’ academic rights include:

• Competent instruction for full-allotted time;
• Sufficient assignments are graded fairly and promptly to inform the student of academic standing.
• Faculty also have the responsibility of providing for distribution a course syllabus listing all requirements for the class, including field trips, reading and writing assignments, and tests.

Classroom Conduct Expectations

Texas A&M University-Kingsville students are expected to assume individual responsibility for maintaining a productive learning environment and conduct themselves with the highest regard for respect and consideration of others.

Student responsibility to contribute to the positive academic environment

Students are encouraged to be familiar with their respective faculty’s expectations regarding classroom behavior, as delineated in their class syllabus and other departmental policies. Disruptive classroom behavior which interferes with the normal conduct of instructional activities, hampers the ability of instructors to teach, or students to learn, are taken seriously and addressed through the academic misconduct adjudication process.

Classroom Distractions

Ongoing behaviors or single behaviors considered distracting including but not limited to (e.g., coming late to class or leaving early, performing a repetitive act that is annoying, loud or prolonged side conversations, sleeping or reading a newspaper in class, etc.) can be addressed by the faculty member initially either generally or individually as part of the instructor’s classroom management efforts. Cases in which such annoying behavior becomes excessive and the student refuses to respond to the faculty member’s efforts can be referred to the Dean of Students.

Classroom Disruptions

Serious disruptive behavior in a classroom may include but is not limited to the following behaviors:

• Making loud and distracting noises;
• Repeatedly answering cell phones/text messaging or allowing pagers to beep or play ring tones;
• Unauthorized use of any technology or electronics;
• Making loud or distracting noises;
• Exhibiting erratic or irrational behavior;
• Persisting in speaking without being recognized;
• Repeatedly leaving and entering the classroom or test site without authorization;
• Persistence in ignoring instructions or failing to follow written class/lab procedures;
• Blocking an entryway;
• Using profane, intimidating, or abusive language;
• Repeatedly interrupting others’ speech;

In the case of a minor disruptive behavior in a classroom, the instructor should first request compliance from the student and if the student fails to comply, an instructor has the authority to ask the student to leave the classroom. The student is expected to comply with this request to leave the classroom and may subsequently contest this action using procedures established by the department. If the student fails to leave after being directed to do so, assistance may be obtained from other university personnel including the University Police Department. The incident shall be handled as an academic misconduct matter using established departmental procedures for academic misconduct to determine if the student should be allowed to return to the classroom and other appropriate administrative action.

In the case of significant disruptive behavior in a classroom, the instructor should request compliance from the student and if the student fails to comply, an instructor has the authority to ask the student to leave the classroom. The student is expected to comply with this request to leave the classroom If the student fails to leave after being directed to do so, assistance may be obtained from other university personnel including the University Police Department. The incident shall be handled as a nonacademic misconduct matter through the Dean of Students Office.

Faculty who are unsure if disruptive behavior is a minor or major case should contact the Dean of Students Office to discuss which process is appropriate given the facts of the case.

In instances where the behavior is judged to be physically threatening, violent, harassing, intimidating, or otherwise dangerous, the faculty member should immediately report the matter to the University Police Department for assistance.