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Policy on Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct of Students
A. Introduction
As a limited-access professional degree program, the School of Architecture requires from
faculty, staff, and students alike a standard of conduct that is above reproach. The policy
described herein is authorized by FAMU Rule 6C3-4.002, Florida Administrative Code, and
defines the limits of acceptable student conduct, the process for determining whether or not a
student has conducted himself or herself in an unethical or unprofessional manner, and sets
policy that the School's objective in providing this document is to guide students in proper
and acceptable conduct and to provide for a fair evaluation of the actions of faculty, staff, and
students whenever those activities are called into question. This policy incorporates by
reference the Florida A&M University Student Code of Conduct. (Faculty and staff conduct
is regulated by a separate policy, including applicable portions of collective bargaining
agreements.)
B. Policy
- The degrees awarded by the School of Architecture are indications that the faculty
considers the graduate to be trustworthy and committed to protecting the interest, health,
safety, and well being of clients and the public in all his or her future work.
- Any act by a student which is intended to or has the effect of deceiving instructors, the
School, or the University about a student's actual knowledge and academic competency is
a violation of the trust that the public invests in our degrees and our graduates.
- Any act of deception committed or attempted by a student casts doubt on that student's
competency not only in the area in which the deception has occurred but in all other areas
as well. Such an act may create so serious a breach of trust that the School is unable to
assure the public of the student's trustworthiness and competency, as implied by the
granting of a degree. If the School's trust in a student is irreparably lost, it has not choice
but to dismiss the student from the School.
- Any student who has direct personal knowledge of or witnesses unethical or
unprofessional conduct by another student is honor-bound to report this to a faculty
member or the Dean. Any member of the faculty or staff of the School of Architecture
who has reason to believe that actual or attempted unethical or unprofessional conduct
has occurred is obligated to pursue applicable School procedures to determine the
responsibility of the Student. Failure to meet this professional responsibility is
considered to be unacceptable conduct.
C. Unethical Conduct
The following examples are intended to help clarify the limits of acceptable student conduct.
While these examples are extensive, they are not comprehensive. Certain actions may be
determined in accordance with School and University policies to be unacceptable, even
though they are not specifically listed below.
- Cheating on exams, quizzes, projects, or homework is unacceptable. Students found to
have cheated on an exam will, at a minimum, receive a grade of "F" in the course and a
letter of reprimand from the Dean. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student's
file. In extreme circumstances, the student may be dismissed from the School of
Architecture. Examples of cheating are:
- Surreptitious use of non-permissible information sources brought into a closed book
exam.
- Copying from others during an examination or quiz or on homework.
- Communicating exam questions or answers prior to or during an exam.
- Taking an exam for another student or having another student take an exam for you.
- Possessing answers to exam questions obtained by improper means before the
scheduled exam.
- Using project materials that are not authorized.
- Using unauthorized electronic devices in taking examinations.
- Obtaining information from others during a take-home exam.
- Plagiarism in papers, assignments, or studio projects is unacceptable. Students found to
have plagiarized the work of another person will, at a minimum, received a grade of "F"
in the course and a letter of reprimand from the Dean. A copy of the letter will be placed
in the student's file. In extreme circumstances, the student may be dismissed from the
School of Architecture. Plagiarism involves submitting any work done by others,
including your fellow students, without accurate acknowledgment. Examples of
plagiarism are:
- Statements copied directly or paraphrased without acknowledgment.
- Illustrations that are photographed, photocopied, or traced without acknowledgment.
- Papers written by commercial term paper or "research" firms or receiving editorial help
that exceeds simple proofreading on papers, thesis, etc.
- Excessive cooperation on out-of-class assignments is a form of cheating and is
unacceptable. With regard to issues to excessive cooperation on projects or homework
assignments, faculty are expected to provide clear advance instructions and criteria for
evaluation so that students may know what is expected of them. The student is, in turn,
responsible for being sure he/she knows and understands these.
Students are encouraged to work together, exchange notes, and discuss and debate all
academic issues. However, students may not submit someone else's work as his/her own,
whether or not he/she is in the same class. Students who have been assisted in
completion of models or drawings must acknowledge who provided the assistance and
the nature of the assistance. The student's responsible professor should be made aware of
the student's assisted activity before it is undertaken to assure that is occurs within
acceptable bounds. The student is expected to acknowledge and give credit to all those
who assisted in this regard. Typing by others is accepted in most cases. Students found
to have cheated on an assignment will, at a minimum, receive a grade of "F" on the
assignment and a letter of reprimand from the Dean. A copy of the letter will be placed in
the student's file.
- Making false or misleading statements on official document of the School is
unacceptable. This includes remaining in a class for which one does not possess the
necessary prerequisites, fraud, misrepresentation in seeking excused absences from class,
and other such falsification. Students found to have made false or misleading statements
on official documents will, at a minimum, receive a letter of reprimand from the Dean. A
copy of the letter will be placed in the student's file. Students registered improperly for a
course will receive a grade of "F" or be administratively dropped from the course.
D. Unprofessional Conduct
- Theft, destruction, or willful damage of property belonging to another person or the
School and fighting are unacceptable conduct and constitute grounds for dismissal from
the School, as well as legal action by the University.
- While the School values student pursuit of practical experience in architecture and the
building industry and appreciates the need of many students to work while completing
their degrees, students must not enter into situations which are in fact, or may be
perceived to be, practicing architecture without a license. This may include, but is not
limited to, the following:
- Falsifying or misrepresenting the extent of one's education, training, or experience.
- Making statements that could reasonable cause an ordinarily prudent person to
misunderstand or be deceived about one's qualifications to perform work.
- Using the title "architect" or doing work that is in the province of a licensed architect
unless one is registered in the state in which he/she practices. Law specifically
prohibits this.
SOA COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
A. Procedures for Complaints Filed Against a Student by a Faculty Member
The intent of these procedures is to resolve issues involving suspected violations of the
School's Policy on Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct in an informal manner that
maintains the student's presumption of innocence and provides a full and fair evaluation of
the compliant while minimizing the number of persons involved. Faculty is encouraged to
first attempt to resolve an issue individually with the student.
- When a faculty member has reason to believe that a student has acted in a manner
inconsistent with the school's "Policy on Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct," the
faculty member must take action. For purpose of this policy, reason to believe that a
student has acted in a manner inconsistent with the School's policy shall include the
written first-hand report of a witness; evidence from two or more class examinations,
projects, or assignments that are so substantially similar as to imply an illicit sharing of
information or plagiarism; or some other form of physical evidence.
- If the student and faculty member cannot reach resolution of the issue, the faculty
member shall convene a meeting with the student and two other faculty members or
administrators. (The faculty members/administrators shall be taken in turn from a list of
names kept by the administration for the purpose of equitable rotation.) The student shall
be asked to explain the origin of his or her work, or to provide whatever explanation for
the similarities of work, or explanation of the actions reported, that he or she considers to
be appropriate. It shall be presumed that an inability by the student to offer a plausible
explanation for his or her actions or for the origin of the work shall be considered
sufficient proof to warrant further action by the School.
- If it is the unanimous conclusion of this committee that the student has violated the
School's "Policy on Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct," the committee will submit
to the Dean and the student a written report including copies of all student, and their
recommendations for disciplinary action. The three faculty members on the committee
must sign this report. If the committee is not unanimous in its conclusion, the matter is
dropped, and the student is presumed to have complied with the School's policies.
- The student may request a review of the committee's recommendation in accordance with
paragraphs II.B.3 through II.B.7 of this document within five days of receipt of the
recommendation. If the dean receives no such request, he/she will decide on and enforce
disciplinary action against the student. The Dean may consider any previous disciplinary
actions against the student in making the final decision as to how the compliant will be
resolved. A copy of the finding of the Dean will be sent to the student, the compliant
committee, and the faculty member involved.
B. Procedures for Grade Appeals Filed by Students
It is the intent of the School of Architecture to provide a fair and consistent procedure for
resolving student complaints pertaining to academic matters. The rules specified are
designed to encourage the student, before filing a complaint, to resolve the complaint by
conferring with those involved. Therefore, when a student wishes to have an academic
decision reviewed by the School of Architecture (concerning, for example, a course grade or
other issue directly related to an architecture course), the student should take the following
steps:
- As soon as possible after the occurrence of the decision or event in question, the student
should attempt to resolve the issue with the instructor of the course to which it is related.
- If the issue remains unresolved, the student should ask his or her academic advisor to
meet with the instructor and the student to attempt to help resolve the matter. If the
instructor is also the academic advisor, the student should select another faculty member
to meet with him/her and the instructor.
- If the complaint still remains unresolved, a written statement should be submitted by the
student to the Dean. The statement should include a summary of the meeting with the
faculty members (Section II.B.2 above) as well as any other information and
documentation to fully describe the situation. This should be done within five working
days after the meeting with the instructor and advisor. (Also see Section II.C. "General
Instructions for Filing Complaints" below.)
- The Dean will review the complaint statement and will appoint an Academic Appeal
Committee to review the matter. (For detailed rules concerning the composition, chair,
and procedures of the grade appeal committee, see Sections II.D. and E. below.)
- The Committee will review the issue and may elect to obtain additional information
through interviews, written statements, or a hearing of all parties involved.
- The Committee will make a written report and recommendation to the Dean as to how the
complaint should be resolved.
- The Dean will make the final decision. A copy of the finding of the Dean will be sent to
the student, the Academic Appeal Committee, and the faculty member involved.
C. General Instructions for Filing Complaints
The purpose of a complaint process is to provide redress only after all other processes have
been exhausted. All parties are encouraged to first communicate directly to attempt to
resolve problems or disagreements outside of the complaint procedures. If, after pursuing
other avenues, the student still feels that a complaint is necessary, the following steps should
be taken:
- In order to have a complaint reviewed by a complaint committee to the School of
Architecture, a written statement must be filed in person or by registered mail, return
receipt requested, to the Dean of the School.
- The statement should contain:
- Full name and status in school of the person filing the complaint,
- A clear and concise account of the facts, including pertinent dates,
- A summary of the informal steps taken to resolve the complaint (see Sections II.A. 1-4
and II.B. 1-2 above),
- An indication of whether or not proceedings have commenced before any other
University committee or any state or local agency and the date when commenced.
- A complaint may be fairly and reasonably amended as a matter of right at any time before
the first meeting of the complaint committee and thereafter at the discretion of the
committee.
- The chairperson of the complaint committee shall cause to be issued and served to the
respondent of a complaint a copy of the complaint as it may have been amended.
- When a grade appeal is filed in a timely manner, the student may be allowed to progress
through the curriculum until a decision is made.
D. Composition of Complaint Committees
- For complaints between faculty or staff and students, the complaint committee shall
consist of three faculty members and two students enrolled in the School of Architecture.
Faculty shall be selected from the rotation list described in II.A.2 above. If deemed
appropriate, the Dean may also appoint a staff member to the committee.
- Complaint committees will exclude any faculty, staff, or students directly involved with
the event causing the complaint.
- The National Organization of Minority Architects--Students (NOMAS) and the
American Institute of Architects--Students (AIAS) will each year jointly nominate to the
Dean (providing addresses and phone numbers) five students to be called upon to serve
on such committees so that the committees can be formed with a minimum of delay.
- The chairperson of a complaint committee shall be a faculty member.
E. Procedures for Complaint Committees
- The complaint committee hearing is an investigative hearing called to make a
recommendation to the Dean. Its finding of facts and recommendations are based upon
the testimony taken and evidence shown at the hearing. The committee has the authority
and responsibility to conduct its investigation as thoroughly and prudently as necessary to
determine the facts of the situation.
- It is assumed that the information concerning a student's record and all evidence is kept
confidential.
- The complaint committee shall not be bound by the rules of evidence applicable in courts
of record in the State of Florida, but all proceeding shall be conducted with regard to
fundamental fairness to all parties.
- If a complaint or respondent in a complaint case does not agree with the recommendation
of the complaint committee and /or the decision made by the Dean, the matter may be
taken up with the appropriate University authorities.
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