Questions and Answers for Students

• If I am accused of academic misconduct, can’t I just resolve the situation with my instructor?

  A. Faculty members who suspect that a student has committed an act of academic misconduct may talk with the student to resolve any questions they may have.

  However, according to Bucknell policy, if the professor suspects or believes that academic misconduct has occurred, rather than make a determination that a student is responsible and impose a penalty, they are required to bring the case to the Board of Review on Academic Responsibility through the associate dean of the college. The associate dean will then contact the student.

   

• How can I be considered responsible of academic misconduct if I didn’t realize what I was doing is wrong?

  A. Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes academic misconduct and for asking their professors for clarification whenever they have questions.

  All first-year students are required to pass an online interactive academic responsibility orientation during the summer before they arrive on campus.

  Unauthorized collaboration and plagiarism (particularly paraphrasing) are two kinds of academic misconduct about which students frequently say they didn’t fully understand the rules. Review the definitions of academic irresponsibility. We also provide tips about how to avoid academic irresponsibility.

   

• What should I do if I know that another student has committed an act of academic misconduct?

  A. You should report it to the professor of the course, who will investigate and initiate action if there is evidence of misconduct.

   

• What are the penalties for academic misconduct?

  A. That depends on the severity of the situation. The penalties normally range from a zero on the assignment to an F in the course for a first offense.

  In addition, for low-level, first-time academic conduct violations, a letter of reprimand may be issued. This outcome indicates that the student’s behavior was inappropriate and warrants a modification for the future, but no penalty is assessed.

  If a student is found responsible for a second offense, the penalty is usually a one-semester academic suspension.

  A third offense generally results in permanent expulsion.

   

• How does the University keep the records of academic misconduct cases?

  A. The files on academic misconduct cases are kept separately in the Registrar’s Office, and there is no mention on the student’s transcript.

  If the Board of Review imposes a penalty that is less severe than an F for the course, the records are destroyed when the student graduates — unless the student is a senior, in which case the records are destroyed a year after graduation.

  If the penalty is an F in the course, suspension or expulsion, the University keeps those records indefinitely.

  The Registrar’s Office shares a summary of cases and penalties on Banner, but there is no identifying information about the student or the course in which the misconduct occurred.

   

• If I have been found responsible of academic misconduct but the records have been destroyed, what should I say if I am asked on an application whether I have ever been accused of or found responsible for academic misconduct?

  A. The only truthful answer to the question is “yes,” but you can explain the University’s policy on record keeping (see above question) and the circumstances of your own case.

  Please note, if a letter of reprimand was issued, this is not part of your permanent record and does not need to be reported.

   

• Does the University ever reveal that a student has been found responsible for academic misconduct?

  A. If a person or agency (a prospective employer or graduate school admissions counselor, for instance) has a right to know that information, the University is obliged to answer truthfully when asked.

  Bucknell does not offer the information without being asked for it.

  If the University is asked for this information after the University has destroyed the records of a particular case, we would tell the person or agency that we have no record of any academic misconduct. Letters of reprimand are not reported to outside agencies. We do not contact parents and can only talk with parents about a student’s personal information if the student has signed a release form.

  It is the job of one associate dean in each college to guide students through the Board of Review process.

  • College of Arts & Sciences (first-year students and sophomores): Lynn Breyfogle
  • College of Arts & Sciences (juniors and seniors): Rich Robbins
  • College of Engineering: Terri Norton
  • Freeman College of Management: Ivy Kepner