Academic Misconduct Policy

1. Purpose

CIT conducts assessment to meet the requirements of the relevant regulatory bodies and standards. This policy outlines the rights and responsibilities of students and staff of CIT, its agents or related parties with respect to academic misconduct.

2. Scope

This policy covers alleged academic misconduct by any student of CIT.

3. Principles

Following the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, academic misconduct will be handled in the following manner:

3.1 Students suspected of academic misconduct during an assessment event will be allowed to complete the assessment before action is taken.

3.2 When academic misconduct is suspected, every attempt will be made to speak promptly with the student, and this will be followed up with a written notification.

3.3 Students involved in academic misconduct will be given academic counselling and additional training regarding academic integrity.

3.4 If students receiving a fail grade need a pass in the assessment event, an opportunity to re-enrol will be given.

3.5 Cases involving more than one student may result in different outcomes for each student, depending on individual circumstances.

3.6 Students may seek support and assistance from CIT student Support during the course of any inquiry.

3.7 Students may appeal any decision made.

Student responsibilities:

3.8 Become familiar with and develop good practices in maintaining academic and research integrity.

3.9 Know the standards of behaviour expected from students and the disciplinary procedures CIT will take for academic and research misconduct.

3.10 Always act with academic and research integrity during any kind of assessment activity, industry placement and collaborative activities.

Teacher responsibilities:

3.11 Explain to students what academic misconduct is and provide guidance on how to maintain academic and research integrity.

3.12 Provide guidance on intellectual property (IP) rights and responsibilities.

3.13 Create a learning environment and assessments tasks that reduce the likelihood of instances of academic misconduct

3.14 Ensure all students have access to equal and consistent learning and assessment.

3.15 Ensure there are processes in place that maintain the security and confidentiality of records of allegations of academic misconduct on CIT information systems.

3.16 Report in writing to the sponsor, disciplinary action taken against a sponsored student (eg apprentice).

Head of Department/Learning Manager responsibilities:

3.17 Ensure thorough understanding by teachers and consistent Department messaging to students about expected academic integrity and consequences of academic misconduct.

3.18 Investigate all allegations of academic misconduct in their delivery area.

3.19 Decide whether academic misconduct has occurred and if any disciplinary action is required.

3.20 Decide whether the student is given a chance to re-sit the exam, complete another assessment task or be given a fail grade with no opportunity for a re-sit.

3.21 Record and consider cases of academic misconduct and action taken at Program Review and Improvement, to ensure future instances are mitigated. Student names should not be recorded.

College Director responsibilities:

3.22 Ensure academic integrity consistently maintained throughout College

3.23 Consider appeals

3.24 Maintain a College register of all instances of academic misconduct

Executive Director, Education and Training Services responsibility:

3.25 May on the recommendation of a College Director, exclude a student from a subject or program where there has been one or more instances of misconduct.

4. Documentation

Higher Education Support Act 2003

Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2015

Student Code of Conduct

Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) (2017)

Information for BSSS Students

Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015

CIT Policies available on website

Academic Appeals Policy

Assessment Policy

5. Definitions

All terminology used in this policy is consistent with definitions in the CIT Definitions of Terms. In addition, the following definitions are specific to this policy:

6. Policy Contact Officer

For more information about this policy contact the Director, Education Services.

Contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au.

7. Procedures

This policy is implemented through the associated procedures. The policy owner has the authority to make changes to the procedures as required.