High ethical standards are critical to the integrity of any institution, and bear directly on the ultimate value of conferred degrees. All UH community members are expected to contribute to an atmosphere of the highest possible ethical standards. Colleges and universities best address this issue by confronting suspected instances consistently and in accordance with university policy.

In certain situations, such as during the administration of an exam, it may be appropriate to confront the student(s). In other situations, you may confer with the departmental hearing officer, who will advise the student in writing of the suspected violation of the academic honesty policy.

During the administration of an exam, you should take steps to insure that cheating does not occur. At other times, you should notify the designated departmental hearing officer.

The departmental hearing officer must be notified in writing within five class days of discovery of suspected academic dishonesty.

A departmental hearing is not required if a waiver is allowable.

Students may not receive a ' W' for courses in which they have been found guilty of a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

If a ' W' is received prior to a guilty finding, the student will become liable for the Academic Honesty penalty, including ' F' grades.

A departmental hearing waiver is  a mechanism through which a settlement of an academic honesty infraction is achieved – the student acknowledges a violation and accepts an agreed-upon penalty, in lieu of receiving a departmental hearing.

Sanctions normally include reduced or zero credit for a test, a grade of ' F' in the course, etc. Sanctions involving disciplinary probation or requiring a college-level hearing (suspension or expulsion), which result in a notation on student transcript, cannot be used in a waiver.

One of the first steps in academic honesty case management is for the Department Hearing Officer to verify if a student is eligible for the option to waive the departmental hearing.  Click here to submit a request for a waiver check.  

The departmental hearing waiver must meet the following requirements:

• All parties (student, instructor, and departmental hearing officer) must agree, in writing, to a waiver
• The student must have no prior academic honesty violations

The name of a student who elects a departmental hearing waiver will be placed on a list maintained by the department, the dean's office and the provost's office. Following graduation, the student may request that his/her name be removed from waiver lists by submitting a request. Any records concerning these proceedings and any final sanctions are considered part of student records.

A Waiver of Automatic College Hearing exists for students who wish to accept a departmentally recommended sanction of suspension or expulsion and thereby waive the automatic college hearing. This specific waiver form is issued from the Dean of Students Office.

Waiver checks are typically completed by the Department Hearing Officer or designee. Submit a request for a waiver check to verify student eligibility to waive department hearing.

For cases that exceed the request form or for questions about student academic honesty case history contact Heidi Kennedy, Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs at 713-743-9187 or email hkennedy@uh.edu .

Carefully document all information of a potential academic honesty violation. You may bring individuals to the hearing who have knowledge of the circumstances, and you may bring relevant documentation. If you intend to bring anyone to the hearing, you must notify the departmental hearing officer at least three class days prior to the hearing.

No, faculty members, as well as students, retain equal rights to appeal departmental hearing decisions.

The sanctions for confirmed breaches of the Academic Honesty Policy shall be commensurate with the nature of the offense and with the record of the student regarding any previous infractions.

The Academic Honesty Policy outlines the following ways to minimize academic dishonesty.

2.01 Preventive Measures. Instructors can help students comply with the academic honesty policy by minimizing temptation to act dishonestly. Measures instructors should consider are:

1. Maintaining adequate security precautions in the preparation and handling of tests;
2. Structuring the type and sequence of examination questions so as to discourage dishonesty;
3. Providing ample room for proper spacing of students during examinations, when possible;
4. Monitoring examinations, especially in large classes and in classes where not all students are known to the instructor or the assistant;
5. Making clear to their students the rules concerning the use of electronic devices;
6. Making clear to their students, in writing, what constitutes academic dishonesty, particularly in those classes where group activities (laboratory exercises, generation of field reports, etc.) are part of the instructional process;
7. Requiring students to submit their own work and defining for their students particular aspects of dishonesty, such as plagiarism and self-plagiarism;
8. Requiring students to show a picture ID and sign major assignments and exams;
9. Helping raise consciousness of the issue of academic honesty by asking students to sign an honor pledge in the first week of class and to write a short pledge in their own hand on their major assignments.
   
   

   See additional resources for academic integrity under Resources. 

The departmental hearing officer facilitates the departmental procedures related to the alleged violation(s) of the academic honesty policy. Typically the department chair serves in the role or an individual designated by the department chair, such as the Assistant/Associate Chair or Director of Undergraduate or Graduate Studies for the Department.

The college hearing officer is designated by the dean of the college. Typically the college Associate Dean for Undergraduate or Graduate Studies serves as college hearing officer.

For the complete Academic Honesty Policy, refer to the  policy online in the Undergraduate or Graduate Catalog.

For assistance or information pertaining to the academic honesty process please contact the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Telephone: 713-743-9187 or email hkennedy@uh.edu.

You may also consult with your departmental and college hearing officers.