Instructors are responsible for following and reinforcing the importance of the Academic Honor Policy in their courses (via syllabi, lectures, class announcements/reminders, and course design). Additionally, students involved in alleged Academic Honor Policy (AHP) violations have the right to be informed of all alleged violations and to be given access to all relevant materials pertaining to the case (Academic Honor Policy, 2022, p. 2–3).
Accordingly, please follow these best practices when discussing allegations with students in an educational and non–adversarial manner:
- Email iclark2@fsu.edu to determine whether students have a prior record of AHP violations or to consult about how to manage incidents (especially those involving privacy issues or evidence that divulges test questions/answers).
- When virtual exam–proctoring methods are involved, please review any digital evidence to determine whether more clarification is needed or if misconduct allegations appear substantiated by a preponderance–of–the–evidence standard.
- When notifying students about alleged violations, consider scheduling a Zoom meeting.
- ✓ Zoom allows for meetings to be recorded and timestamped for accountability.
- ✓ Zoom also allows screen sharing of evidence in a controlled environment, effectively accommodating students’ due–process rights while protecting any sensitive content.
- ✓ Email correspondence and/or in–person meetings are adequate alternatives; we recommend emailing post–meeting summaries to students after in–person meetings.
- After speaking with students and reviewing the related evidence, please provide students with the Quick Reference Guide which outlines their resolution options (assuming the allegations have not been dismissed after gaining clarification).
- Permit students at least five (5) class/business days (exclude holidays and university closures) to make their resolution decisions; advisors are available to them as well: Irvin Clark, EdD, Associate Dean, Student & Strategic Initiatives.
- When students make their decisions, submit the proper forms (Student–Instructor Resolution Form (PDF), Disputing the Sanction Form (PDF), Academic Honor Policy Hearing Referral Form (PDF)) and documentation (i.e., allegation evidence, syllabus, assignment rubrics, etc.) to Irvin Clark, EdD, Associate Dean, Student & Strategic Initiatives.
- Finally, please consult about how course–design enhancements could reduce academic misconduct and foster academic integrity (e.g., The Center for the Advancement of Teaching, The Office of Distance Learning, and/or The Office of Faculty Development and Advancement are happy to discuss prevention and learner–motivation best practices).
Irvin Clark, EdD
Associate Dean, Student & Strategic Initiatives
iclark2@pc.fsu.edu
(850) 770-2100