University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY STATEMENTS

Academic integrity resources including policy statements for each of the University's colleges are on the Web.

Statements explaining an instructor's academic integrity policy for a course are to be included in the course syllabus.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

An instructor accusing a student of academic dishonesty must follow the University's procedure for handling allegations of academic dishonesty provided in the Academic Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual, G-9. Sanctioning guidelines for academic integrity violations are provided.

Impact on a Student's Record

A student who is in violation of the academic integrity policy may be assigned a lower grade, a failing grade, or an XF.

XF Symbol and Grade: If there has been an egregious act of academic dishonesty (e.g. breaking into an instructor's office to steal tests and selling them), then, with the concurrence of the instructor, college committee, and judicial affairs, an XF symbol and grade is recorded as the student's quality of performance in the course. XF is calculated as an F in the student's grade-point average. The symbol (X) and grade (F) indicate failure due to academic dishonesty.

Course Drop or Withdrawal: A student who has been accused of academic dishonesty in a course may not drop or withdraw from the course during the adjudication process. A student whose grade in a course has been changed as a result of a violation of academic integrity may not drop or withdraw from the course. If the student processes a regular drop, late drop, withdrawal, or a retroactive late drop or withdrawal for the course, the action will be reversed and the appropriate grade/symbol will be recorded on the student's transcript.

The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.

This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.

Reviewed: October 2009
Last Update: June 2008