According to the Dean of Students Office, 10 cases of academic dishonesty were reported this year.
"There are lots of cases of students who aren't sent to the Dean of Students Office," said Randy Boeglin, the Dean of Students. "There are cases we don't even know about."
He said this is because many instructors take the initial action, as outlined in the Pathfinder -- UNM's student handbook.
Under article 3.2.1. of the Pathfinder's Student Grievance Process, the faculty member shall discuss the apparent violation as soon as possible and give the student an opportunity to explain.
The instructor can fail the student, give the student a zero for the assignment or choose to send the case to the Dean of Students Office.
The instructor may choose to notify the Dean of Students of the case and any actions taken against the student, or they may request that the Dean of Students Office take further action. If the instructor wants further discipline taken, the office will assess the case.
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"We review the case record and look at the evidence, consider the nature of the academic dishonesty and we have a hearing with the student," Boeglin said. "Based on the finding at the hearing, responsible or not responsible, we decide sanctions."
The disciplinary action the Office may choose to take can range from a warning to University suspension.
According to section 2.4. of the Student Code of Conduct, "Academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, dishonesty in quizzes, tests, or assignments; claiming credit for work not done or done by others; hindering the academic work of others; misrepresenting academic or professional qualification within or without the University and nondisclosure or misrepresentation in filling out applications or other University records, are subject to disciplinary action."
Students have two levels of appeal, depending on whether it is an instructor decision or the dean's decision.
If students wish to appeal an instructor decision, they must go through the academic chain of command. If students appeal a Dean of Students' decision, the case goes to the Office of the Provost.
According to Article 3.2.3. a student may request that the dean of the college and/or the provost hold an informal meeting for the student to present evidence or other information and witnesses.
Students' rights and responsibilities, as well as disciplinary and appeals procedures, are detailed in the Pathfinder.
