ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILTY COMMITTEE

Purpose

The Arnold School of Public Health’s Academic Responsibility Committee is concerned with academic integrity and discipline and was established to handle infractions or alleged infractions of the University Rule of Student Academic Responsibility.  The rule is intended to prohibit all forms of academic dishonesty, and includes such matters as giving or receiving unauthorized assistance on any academic work and plagiarism.

The current goal of the SPH Academic Responsibility Committee is to quickly and judiciously handle any cases or allegations brought forward by faculty or instructors against students for infractions of the Rule of Student Academic Responsibility.

Committee Members

The committee is composed of four faculty members, one graduate student and one undergraduate student.  Members are appointed by the Office of Academic Affairs upon recommendations by department chairs and typically serve a period up to three academic years.

Members meet only when allegations have been made and a case is in process.  Once a case is brought forward, numerous meetings are required to (1) discuss the case within the committee, (2) interview witnesses and the student(s), (3) conduct a hearing and (4) arrive at a resolution in the case.  Appeals also may be made.

Committee Chair and Chair Responsibilities

The chair of the committee is appointed by the Office of Academic Affairs and typically serves in that capacity for 1-2 years.  The chair’s responsibilities include:

1. organizing members, as appropriate;
2. arranging for appearance of witnesses, etc;
3. being familiar with the University’s policies and procedures for handling
   violators of the University Rule of Student Academic Responsibility;
4. reporting impending cases and updates on cases to the associate dean for academic affairs;
5. keeping minutes of meetings; and
6. returning committee files to the Office of Academic Affairs at the end of each academic year.