Plagiarism is covered under Academic Dishonesty in the UMB Undergraduate Catalog, 2005-2007. See pages 352-357 for "Academic Standards, Cheating, and Plagiarism" for the complete university policy. Below are excerpts of the data found on pages 355-357 on dealing with plagiarism under the Code of Student Conduct:
Definition
Procedures
Sanctions
The UMB website also has the Student Code of Conduct in a downloadable .pdf file.
A. Submitting an author's published or unpublished work, in whole, in part, or in paraphrase, as one's own without properly crediting the author. This includes, but is not limited to, submitting unattributed published work, e.g. material from a journal, newspaper, encyclopedia, etc. without proper acknowledgement.
B. Submitting as one's own original work materials from an individual or agency.
C. Submitting as one's own original work material that has been produced through unacknowledged collaboration with others.
D. Using any unauthorized material during an examination, such as notes, tests, calculators, etc.
E. Obtaining answers to examination questions from another person with or without that person's knowledge; furnishing answers to examination questions to another student; using or distributing unauthorized copies of or notes from an examination.
F. Submitting as own's own an examination taken by another person; or taking an examination in another person's place.
G. Gaining or seeking to gain unauthorized access to the computer files of a student or faculty member, or staff member, or altering or destroying those files.
1. A faculty member who suspects a student of academic dishonesty must inform the student in writing of that fact within 10 business days after discovery of the alleged violation. A copy of this letter should be sent to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee as well as the chair person or graduate program director of the faculty member's department. Having been informed of alleged academic dishonesty, the student has the right to have a member of the UMass Boston community of his/her choice (except legal counsel) present in all proceedings to act as an advocate on his/her behalf. The faculty member shall offer to meet with the student to discuss the case. No longer than 10 business days after informing the student of the alleged infraction, the faculty member may impose the penalities listed below (see Sanctions) for academic dishonesty. If the faculty member has not imposed a penalty within 10 business days after having informed the student, the charges shall be considered dismissed.
2. Within 10 school days after the imposition of a penalty or penalties, the student may submit an appeal in writing to the faculty member's departmental chair, program head, or graduate program director. The chair/program head should consult with the faculty member and the student to resolve the matter. If the problem is not resolved through consultation the student may request a hearing before the departmental chair, program head, or GPD. The student shall have the right to be accompanied at such a hearing by a member of the University of his/her choice (except legal counsel) to act as an advocate on the student's behalf. If the student wishes to have an advocate from the university community but is unable to obtain one, the student shall be assisted in finding an advocate by the Student Affairs designee. The student (or advocate) shall have the right to present evidence and witnesses and to question other witnesses. Formal rules of evidence shall not be observed; any evidence having reasonable probative value as to a relevant fact may be admitted. No longer than 10 business days after the hearing, the chair/program head shall make findings of fact and shall uphold or recommend modifications of the faculty member's decision, but may not him/herself reverse or modify that decision.
3. Within 10 business days after the chair/program head's action the student may submit an appeal in writing to the dean or administrative head of the faculty member's college or other administrative unit. The dean/administrative unit head is encouraged to consult with the chair/program head, faculty member, and student. No longer than 15 business days after the request for an appeal, the dean/adminstrative unit head shall uphold, reverse, or modify the decision of the faculty member. Such modification may include the imposition of penalties beyond those within the faculty members' purview, including any of the penalties for misconduct.
4. Within 10 business days after the dean/administrative unit head's action, the student may submit an appeal in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. The Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will instruct the Discipline and Grievance Committee to conduct an investigation of the case and to report its findings to him/her writing 30 business days after the request for an appeal. In hearing cases of alleged academic dishonesty, the Discipline and Grievance Committee will consist of no more than 6 members, a majority of whom will be faculty and 2 of whom will be students. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs shall appoint a member of the Committee to serve as the Chair. No longer than 15 business days after the report of the Discipline and Grievance Committee, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs shall uphold, reverse, or modify the dean/administrative unit head's decision. Such modifications may include any of the penalties for misconduct.
5. Within 10 business days after the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs' action, the student may submit an appeal in writing to the Chancellor. No longer than 20 business days after the request for an appeal, the Chancellor shall uphold, reverse, or modify the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs' decision. Such modifications may include any of the penalities for misconduct. The decision of the Chancellor shall constitute final University disposition of the matter.
6. Failure of the relevant official to render a decision on any appeal submitted pursuant to paragraphs 2 through 5 within the time limits set fourth therein shall be considered an affirmation of the penalty and the student shall thereupon be entitled to proceed to the next level of appeal, if any. In no case, however, shall a student's appeal proceed through 2 consecutive levels without a decision being rendered by the relevant University official.
Sanctions to be imposed by faculty members shall be one or more of the following:
1. Failure in the assignment in which the infraction occurred.
2. Failure in the course or failure in the certification of a competency in which the infraction occurred.
In addition, the faculty member, in cases in which academic dishonesty has been repeated or is of an especially serious nature, may recommend to his/her dean/administrative unit head the imposition of additional penalties including those for misconduct.