Academic Dishonesty

Academic dishonesty is considered a serious breach of trust within the Westmont community, as it both violates the regard for truth essential to genuine learning and Christian consistency, and disadvantages those students who do their work with integrity. Academic dishonesty may consist of:

  1. Plagiarism
  2. Cheating
  3. Falsification

Incidents of plagiarism are to be treated in accordance with the Westmont College Plagiarism Policy as approved by the Academic Senate January 2004. This policy, available through the Provost Office web site, defines three levels of plagiarism (minimal, substantial and complete) and specifies the attendant consequences. Consequences range from rewriting the paper for a reduced grade in the case of a first minimal offense to expulsion from the college for a second incident of complete plagiarism. This document also provides the specific procedures to be followed in cases of plagiarism as well as the forms to be used for reporting. Additionally, the Westmont College Plagiarism Policy document includes a statement which can be included in a syllabus and aids for reducing the likelihood of plagiarism. The following policies apply to cases of cheating or falsification:

  1. If a student has been dishonest in any way, the student is to receive an F in the exercise and the Provost’s Office and the Student Life Office is to be notified of the action.
  2. A second violation or instance of dishonesty in the same or different course should be reported to the Provost’s Office and the Student Life Office for action. Sanctions may include suspension from the college.
  3. The above are understood to be minimal degrees of discipline. A faculty member may, if he or she has announced the policy, give an F in the course for any type of academic dishonesty.
  4. A student who feels that he or she has been unfairly accused or unjustly treated may appeal to the Student Life and Development Committee for a hearing