Academic Integrity Minigrant
Academic Integrity Working Group
Minigrant sponsored task force summer - fall 2016
Members:
Heloisa DaCunha, Education and Public Services Faculty
Jennifer Pisarik, Behavioral Science Faculty
Kimberly Morrissey, Business Faculty
Dora Ottariano, Mathematics Faculty
Kate Baker, English Faculty
Ashli Ree, Business Faculty
Rebecca Newell, Associate Dean of Students
Deb Botker, Department Chair, Social Science Division
Purpose and Charge: It is apparent that academic integrity violations are pervasive and new solutions
are being sought by faculty. This is an issue for both fact-to-face and with web-based
resources. Recent surveys and focus groups with faculty have confirmed the need for
an institutional response in addition to individual faculty actions. Based on the
data and comments shared, a small working group representing various divisions, convened
to review the current resources and protocol and independently researched a variety
of approaches. The team was charged with researching best practices to update the
MCC response to the ever-changing academic environment/climate and prepare recommendations
that would support faculty and student personal and professional development and provide
proactive resources in addition to suggestions for enforcement.
Recommendations:
- Develop a comprehensive on-line resource center for students and faculty to include:
- Resources such as the Library libguides and ACE plagiarism tip sheet
- Links to internal and external resources and how to avoid plagiarism
- Camtasia and other tutorials on how to cite, etc.
- Suggested language for syllabi
- Information on support services
- Tips for how to best use Safeassign
- Definitions, Honor Code, Guidelines, etc.
- Collaborate with ACE, Library, and FYE/Orientation to develop a variety of resources
including "traveling" presentations by professionals and Student Leaders.
- Adapt Small Incident Form or create new form for faculty to submit to Community Standards
Office for tracking assessment, and potential follow-up using conduct process when
egregious or repeat offense. Considerations for process include:
- Tracking would occur using MCC's Symplicity web-based platform that flags repeat circumstances
- Submitted forms would be confidential to the degree allowed by FERPA
- Students would be afforded due process and if found responsible may have sanctions
imposed. This would be separate from, in addition to, and would not interfere with
the academic process outlined in the syllabus (grade appeals could still apply).
- Develop onboarding support for students to proactively raise awareness at earliest
points in their education such as at New Student registration, FYE classes, or as
a first assignment in English Comp. This might include on-line modules, case studies,
or short quiz where students would receive a notation in Degreeworks once completed.
- With campus-wide input, create a consistent procedure with step by step guidelines
for faculty to follow when faced with possible violation. Procedure would give optional
resolutions and be cognizant of the differences in types and severity depending on
subject and course. Procedure would be developed and supported broadly and not impose
upon academic freedom nor contradict or confuse the existing conduct language and
protocol.
- In all of its communication, the College would use the existing definition for Academic
Integrity. Marketing- both in print and electronic, in and out of the classroom,
will represent a common message emphasizing the value of integrity and will be distributed
and made available in myriad settings. An inclusive statement indicating this value
and supporting policies apply to everyone - day, night, full time, part time, on-line
and in person - would complement the language. These intentional efforts would serve
to change culture so that the value of integrity is underscored in all that we do
and shared by all members of the community.
- Trainings, tools, support, and additional professional development for new faculty would be made available via the new faculty orientation, on-line, etc. to include topics like how to best use Safeassign. Casual discussions might be arranged for table top exercises and sharing of best practices.
Follow up:
The Academic Integrity Working Group will share findings and recommendations at October Division meetings and collect feedback. Future action plans will be developed based on comments and considerations and may include the development of an implementation committee. Future committee members may include faculty, stakeholders from Student Affairs (Community Standards, International, Academic Centers), the Library, and IT.