Procedures for faculty members in plagiarism and cheating cases
The faculty member initiates the process to charge a student with a violation of the Honor Code. The faculty member submits a written description of the infraction with a copy of the student's work in question to the Judicial Affairs Officer. For cheating or plagiarism cases, the faculty member indicates as clearly as possible on the student's work by underlining the alleged infractions. In plagiarism cases, the faculty member indicates where these passages are found in the source(s). For plagiarism cases, the faculty member also submits a copy of the course syllabus and the assignment sheet for the paper in question to be included as part of the hearing packet. Normally, the faculty member notifies the student who is being charged.
Procedures for students that initiate a cheating charge against another student
The student contacts the faculty member of the course for guidance and assistance when witnessing a clear violation of cheating or in cases where the faculty member has established clear guidelines on permissible collaboration (i.e. Permitted use of notes on an assignment or on an exam). Students should contact professor if ever approached by another student to participate in or facilitate cheating. The student submits a written description of the alleged infraction to the Judicial Affairs Officer. If a hearing results, the student that makes a charge against another student must provided testimony at the hearing. In these cases, the faculty member might also write an accompanying statement if the faculty member can provide additional information.
The charge letter, a copy of the work in question, a copy of the faculty member's written description of the alleged infraction, and a copy of relevant pages of the web-based handbook are sent to the student by the Judicial Affairs Officer.
Judicial Affairs Officer then notifies the AJB co-chairs of the hearing.
The time, place, and date of a hearing are determined and are communicated to the student (s) and all participants by the Judicial Affairs Officer after consultation with the Administrative/Faculty Co-Chair of the Academic Judicial Board. Student/faculty/witness preparation is completed by the Judicial Affairs Officer. This must occur at least 2 working days prior to a judicial hearing. The 2-day notice period may be waived in cases filed against graduating seniors at the end of their final term. Students that are charged with an offense must submit names of witnesses and must be notified of all witnesses being called to testify. The confirmation of judicial hearing form is completed and relevant hearing procedures are discussed during this phase. The Judicial Affairs Officer verifies that the student charged has received all relevant material needed for the hearing. Prior to the hearing, the Secretary of the College, or its designee is available to meet with the student charged.
The hearing packets used by the AJB members during the hearing are prepared by the Judicial Affairs Officer and delivered to the chair of the hearing. The packet will include a completed confirmation of judicial hearing form, the written description of the faculty members charge, and copies of the test/paper, as well as any other necessary materials.
Following the hearing, the student is instructed to wait until the completion of the confidential deliberation. Following deliberation, the student is asked to return, and the AJB Chair communicates the outcome of the hearing to the student with all AJB members present. The student is permitted to invite his/her adviser to hear the outcome.
The Judicial Affairs Officer prepares the AJB Outcome letter to the student.
Administrative/Faculty Co-Chair will return the hearing tape and all documents used in the hearing to the Judicial Affairs Officer. Any additional documents that were not part of the original hearing packet will be added to the hearing material (Example: a written character statement).
A copy of the outcome letter is sent to:
-Commons Dean of student charged
-Judicial Affairs Officer
-Dean of the College
-Parents/Guardians when the outcome is a Reprimand, Disciplinary Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion.
The Judicial Affairs Officer will send a notice of the outcome to the faculty member of the student charged. In cases where there is a grade change, the Registrar's Office also will be notified. In cases of suspension or expulsion, the student's professors, the academic adviser, the Bursar's Office, the Residential Systems Coordinator, and the Registrar's Office will be notified. The notice will read as follows:
"I write to inform you that "student's name " has been withdrawn from Middlebury College, effective date."
If the AJB outcome is appealed, the student submits an intent to appeal statement within 2 working days of receiving outcome letter to the Judicial Affairs Officer. Notification to appropriate offices is delayed until the appeal process is completed.
The student appealing must write a statement addressed to the Dean of the Faculty outlining the grounds for an appeal within 2 working days of filing the intent to appeal statement and submit this statement to the Judicial Affairs Officer.
Materials for appeal review (hearing materials, recording of the hearing, and Academic Judicial Board response) are prepared and delivered to Dean of the Faculty by the Judicial Affairs Officer.
If a partial or full rehearing is granted, the Dean of the Faculty will notify the student and the Judicial Affairs Officer of the outcome by letter, and will forward hearing materials to the Chair of the Judicial Appeals Board.
Judicial Appeals Board will notify student of the date, time, and location of partial or full rehearing.