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Dean's Discipline Policy and Procedures
SIPA Code of Academic and Professional Conduct
As part of the preparation of our students for careers in international and public affairs, the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) promotes the highest academic and professional standards. To clarify the school's expectation of professional and ethical conduct, honesty, accuracy and integrity in academic and professional activities, the administration, faculty and students have adopted the following Code of Academic and Professional Conduct. To signify their knowledge and acceptance of the SIPA Code of Profession and Academic Conduct, students will review and sign the following pledge.
"I have read the Code of Academic and Professional Conduct, and will undertake my academic work with honesty and integrity.
"In order to promote honesty, professionalism, fairness and academic integrity within the SIPA community, I hereby pledge to abide by the standards of academic and professional conduct outlined below:
"I will fully participate in the academic life of the school by understanding degree and course requirements, and putting forth my best efforts in completing all assignments and exams according to the guidelines and procedures established by faculty, instructors and teaching assistants.
"I will dedicate adequate time to my studies by effectively managing conflicts between my academic responsibilities and other commitments. I will communicate responsibly with faculty, administrative staff and the Student Affairs Office about matters that affect my ability to participate as expected in my classes and other school activities.
"I will recognize the diversity of SIPA and understand that professional and civil conduct is expected to guide interactions between all constituents of the school: employees, students, faculty, administrative staff and student staff. SIPA students are ambassadors for the school and should behave accordingly in professional and academic settings.
"I understand that the commission of criminal acts against Columbia students, the University or its employees is considered a violation of the SIPA Code of Academic and Professional Conduct.
"I will read and abide by the Honor Code, and will undertake my academic work with honesty and integrity. I will submit original work and will properly attribute and ideas that are not my own according to established academic procedures. If I am unsure about what constitutes proper academic procedure in a particular instance, it is my responsibility to consult with a professor or member of the Dean's Office. I will not give or receive unauthorized aid on any assignment or exam. I will not cheat or plagiarize while matriculated at SIPA, regardless of the department or school through which academic work might be required.
"I understand that cheating comprises the giving or receiving of unauthorized and or unfair aid in academic work. This may occur by, but is not limited to: lying, deceiving, stealing, talking, signaling, copying from other students, and unauthorized usage of books, data (both in hardcopy and electronic formats), study aids, or other sources in a manner inconsistent with the expectations established by SIPA and my classroom instructors.
"I understand that plagiarism includes but is not limited to:
- Submitting essays, or portions of essays, or other prose written by other people as one's own;
- Failing to acknowledge, through proper footnotes and bibliographic entries, the source of ideas essentially not one's own;
- Failing to indicate paraphrases, ideas or verbatim expressions not one's own through proper use of quotations and footnotes;
- Submitting an essay written for one course to a second course without having sought prior permission from both instructors;
- Collaborating with other students or outside sources on an assignment or examination without specific permission from the faculty member to do so;
- Using another person's or institution's research or data without attribution.
Academic work includes all graded assignments such as papers, essays, examinations, tests, labs, problem sets and other graded homework assignments.
"If graded together with other students in study groups, I pledge to contribute to my fullest capacity. I will not seek unauthorized help outside my study group, unless specifically authorized by the faculty member."
Dean's Discipline Procedures
Dean's Discipline procedures are followed when students are found to be in violation of University or SIPA policies, including the Code of Academic and Professional Conduct. There are some specific instances where Dean's Discipline procedures are superseded by the Rules of University Conduct, which provide special disciplinary rules applicable to demonstrations, rallies, picketing, and the circulation of petitions. The Rules of University Conduct can be found in FACETS (Facts About Columbia Essential to Students).
All suspected violations of University or SIPA policies should be reported to the Associate Dean for Academic Services, who will receive the complaint and, if necessary, initiate proceedings as described below or refer the matter to the appropriate university office. Complaints regarding the conduct of SIPA students may be submitted by anyone. They will be assessed by the Associate Dean to insure that possible violations are reviewed in the appropriate venue and according to applicable disciplinary procedures.
Investigation Phase
When a SIPA student is charged with a violation of University or SIPA policy, including the Honor Code, the Associate Dean makes a preliminary inquiry into the case and determines whether there is sufficient cause to bring a formal complaint. If there is sufficient cause for a formal complaint, the student is notified in writing and provided with a copy of the disciplinary procedures.
Disposition of the Complaint
If the Associate Dean determines that discipline is warranted, then the Associate Dean, at his/her discretion: (1) may issue a letter of warning, and/or suspend certain rights and privileges; or (2) may convene a Discipline Hearing Panel, notifying the student of this in writing. In situations where the possible sanction is more extensive than a letter of warning or loss of privileges, thereby resulting in an entry in the student file or transcript, the matter must be reviewed by a Discipline Hearing Panel. In any case, either the Associate Dean or the accused student may request that the matter be reviewed by a Hearing Panel.
Dean's Discipline Hearing Panel
All complaints not handled directly by the Associate Dean for Academic Services, or referred to another university office are reviewed by a Dean's Discipline Hearing Panel. A panel is assembled for each case, comprised of two students, an Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and two faculty members, all of whom are selected by the Dean in consultation with the School's Associate Deans. All members chosen for the panel are expected to recuse themselves if they have a relationship with the accused student that may affect their ability to hear the case objectively.
The Dean's Discipline Hearing Panel informs the student of the charges made and asks him/her to respond in writing. The panel members are charged with fact-finding and designate one panel member to carefully document all testimony and proceedings. The student has the opportunity to present information on his/her behalf, which may include testimony by witnesses, written information or other evidence, but may not have an attorney or advisor present at the hearing. Witnesses giving testimony must have direct knowledge of the situation being investigated; character witnesses are not allowed in disciplinary hearings. The student is not present to hear witnesses and there is no cross-examination or adversarial aspect to the hearing process. The Associate Dean is present at the hearing to present the facts of the case and is also available to the student to answer questions and provide information about the hearing process. He/she is not a voting member of the hearing panel.
After hearing all the evidence, and reviewing the facts, the Hearing Panel reaches a decision about whether a violation has occurred and, if so, imposes appropriate disciplinary measures. Sanctions may include a warning or censure to be placed in the student's file, notation on the student's transcript, loss of certain rights and privileges, reduced or failing grade, probation, suspension or expulsion from the school. The Hearing Panel's decision is determined by a majority vote.
The Hearing Panel notifies the student of its findings via email and letter within 24 hours of its decision. At the same time, a copy of the findings and a written report of the proceedings, including relevant documents and evidence are forwarded to the Dean.
Appeal Process
In the event that the Associate Dean for Academic Services or a Dean's Discipline Hearing Panel finds a student to have committed a violation of University or SIPA policy, the student may appeal the decision and disciplinary sanction to the Dean of SIPA. Appeals must be made in writing within five working days of the student's receipt of the decision of the Associate Dean or Hearing Panel, and must clearly state the grounds for the appeal.
In reviewing the appeal, the Dean relies on the written record and does not conduct further factual investigation, except in instances where he/she determines that further information is needed. The purpose of the appeal process is to determine if the decision made and the discipline sanctions imposed are reasonable. The Dean notifies the student of his/her decision in writing. There is no further appeal within the University.
Records
The detailed record of each disciplinary case and the proceedings of the Hearing Panel will be retained by the Associate Dean for Academic Services for access by future hearing panels. The Student Affairs Office will retain all records related to complaints brought, and both confirmed and unconfirmed violations, in a secure file. All records will be kept secure and confidential, and names will be kept confidential, regardless of the finding. The Dean may release general information about cases and proceedings as long as this information does not violate the right to privacy of the individuals involved.