Academic Dishonesty and Classroom Disruptions: What to Do

Academic Dishonesty and Classroom Disruptions: What To Do

Plagiarism

Any questions, see Patrick.

If we are both 51% sure, we fail that paper and say why.

No proof is necessary

The student has no chance to revise

Send an Academic Dishonesty form to Dan Schwab’s office (a second problem and the student can be expelled from the university).

The student can appeal: first to Patrick, then to the chair, then to the college of liberal arts.

but not to you: if the student complains to you, send him or her immediately to Patrick; your responsibility is over after you have spotted the problem and failed the paper.

Class Disruptions

OSU has zero tolerance for any behavior that is “disruptive” to the teaching and learning process, to any behavior that somehow “denies access” to learning for other students – for example:

Talking in class

Reading the Barometer

Comments that threaten you or any other student

To handle the problem in class, use general “non-regulatory” language, language that avoids a public power-struggle – for example:

“Folks, we need to get focused.”

“I need to remind you of the agreements we all made the first day of class about courtesy and disruptive behavior.”

“Let me remind you of what we said the first day about talking in class and disrupting the classroom.”

Do not “shush” people.

Do not single out individuals

Next step: ask to speak to the student privately after class – and again, avoid regulatory and power struggle language. If you’re not comfortable with doing this, go right to the next step.

Next step: see me, then email Dan Schwab, who will send that student a letter the same day requiring him or her to come for a conversation about what it means to be in the university.

Don’t wait: ONE warning in private and then, THE NEXT TIME, the referral to Dan Schwab.

You job is (1) to explain the policy the first day, (2) to give the student one reminder in private, and (3) to make the referral – that’s all.

The instructor’s responsibility is to teach the class, NOT to deal with disciplinary problems – the university is responsible for student conduct.

DAN SCHWAB, Student Conduct and Mediation

737-3658