Academic Requirements, Regulations & Policies

Degree Requirements

Applicable Degree Program Requirements

To earn a degree, a student must complete both the college-wide and departmental requirements in effect at the time of their admission to the College. If there are changes in these degree requirements, currently enrolled students may continue to follow the original requirements or choose to meet the new requirements - with the exception of programs that have external licensing requirements, such as Nursing, Education, Social Work and Accounting. In the event that any requirements in a department or program are revised with College Council approval, a student who has not fulfilled the original requirements must satisfy the new requirements. Students who are readmitted to the College after two or more consecutive semesters of absence must meet the requirements for degrees in effect at the time of readmission.

Graduation Minimum Grade Point Average

To complete degree requirements and be eligible for graduation, all students must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. Each course used to satisfy the degree major requirements must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Exceptions to this policy will be limited to elective courses and must be approved through the departmental Academic Standards and Regulations Committee.

Change of Degree Major

To change a degree major, students must be advised by their respective academic advisor/counsellor in the Academic Advisement Center, ASAP or the SEEK/Special Programs. The change of major becomes official when the academic departments are notified by the advisor/counselor. Change of Major forms are available in the Academic Advisement Center, Room, S-219, ASAP, Room 206, Freshman Year Program, S-219B. Honors Program, Library-Room 0111, SEEK/Special Programs, Room S-205, and Refer to the Academic Calendar for the deadline date for change of major.

Academic Residency Requirements

To obtain a two-year degree, a student must complete a minimum of thirty (30) credits at Medgar Evers College, including at least eighteen (18) credits in the major. For a baccalaureate degree, a minimum of thirty (30) credits must be completed at Medgar Evers College, of which at least twenty-five (25) must be in the student’s major area of study.

Credit Load Recommendations and Maximum Limits

To earn an Associate degree in two academic years or a baccalaureate degree in four years, a student needs to complete an average of 15-16 credits each semester. To obtain additional credits, students may enroll in the Summer or Winter Sessions. Academic Advisors/counselors will assist students in planning their academic programs. A student is permitted to carry a maximum of eighteen (18) credits per semester. Students who wish to carry more than 18 credits must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and obtain the permission of the student’s Department Chairperson, Dean of the School, or Provost. The maximum number of credits a student is permitted Academic Requirements, Regulations and Policies to register for during the fall or spring is twenty-one (21) credits.

Students may register for a maximum of eight (8) credits per Summer Session and eight (8) credits per Winter Session. Students on Academic Probation may be limited to a reduced number of credits in order to meet academic requirements.

Credit Hour

Semester hour means a credit, point, or other unit granted for the satisfactory completion of a course which requires at least 15 hours (of 50 minutes each) of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments, except as otherwise provided pursuant to section 52.2(c)(4) of this Subchapter. This basic measure shall be adjusted proportionately to translate the value of other academic calendars and formats of study in relation to the credit granted for study during the two semesters that comprise an academic year.

Credits Required for Class Standing

The number of credits successfully earned by a student determines class standing.

Credit Requirements for Students in an Associate Degree Program

Credit Requirements for Students in a Baccalaureate Degree Program

Veterans Credits

Veterans are advised to consult the Veterans’ Counselor in the Admissions Office, located at 1637 Bedford Avenue, Room 120 to determine their eligibility for Veteran’s Credits, which cannot exceed eight (8) credits. All Veterans Credits will be evaluated by the Admissions Office. If a Veteran student attends another accredited higher educational institution, these credits may also be transferable.

Sequence of Courses

Students shall enroll in courses according to the general numbering system:

1. 100 Level Courses are designed for Freshmen
2. 200 Level Courses are designed for Sophomores
3. 300 Level Courses are designed for Juniors
4. 400 Level Courses are designed for Seniors

It is, therefore, expected that:

1. 100 Level will be taken before 200 Level Courses
2. 200 Level will be taken before 300 Level Courses
3. 300 Level will be taken before 400 Level Courses
4. All Lower Division Requirements should be completed by the time a student is in the junior year or has completed sixty (60) credits

Pre- and Co-Requisite Courses

Pre-Requisite Course

A Pre-Requisite Course is one that must be satisfactorily completed before a more advanced course is taken. The following are unsatisfactory grades for pre-requisite courses: R, NC, F, PEN, *WN, W, WU, WF, AUD, and Z. Students who receive an INC grade in a pre-requisite course must complete it by the end of the following semester.

Co-Requisite Course

A Co-Requisite Course is one which may be taken with a related course in the same semester. For example, BIO 150  is a co-requisite for BIOL 150 .

Academic Standing

Examination and Evaluation of Students

The method by which students are evaluated for grades, the frequency of examinations, and the consequences of missed examinations, is the prerogative of the instructor in each course. Instructors shall provide students with this information in the syllabi on the first day of class.

Grading System and Grading Policies

At the end of each course, students are assigned grades by the instructor. The following grading symbols are used.

Quality Points Per Credit

A brief explanation of the grades receiving no quality points follows:

P&F - Pass & Fail Grades

The Pass and Fail grading system is used when the course content or format does not provide an appropriate basis for the alphabetic system of student evaluation. Grades “P” and “F” may be assigned to any individual student enrolled in a class in consultation with the instructor. The Pass/Fail option is not available for Core courses nor courses in a student’s degree major. A student must obtain approval from the instructor after enrollment in the course. A student may not complete more than six (6) credits with “P” within the total associate program, and no more than twelve (12) credits with “P” within the total baccalaureate program. The Pass/Fail option must be selected for approval within the first five (5) weeks of class. Once this option is selected, it is irreversible. Grades of “P” do not carry quality points and are not calculated in the GPA; however, the number of credits earned is counted toward the number of credits required for the degree.

NC - No Credit Grades for ENGL 112 & 150

Students who complete ENGL 112  and ENGL 150  with a grade below “C” may receive a grade of “NC” (No Credit) provided that they have made significant documented progress, even if they do not meet minimum passing standards to earn a “C” grade. In addition, the “NC” grade may be given only once for each of the two courses, after which the permission of the Chairperson of the Department of English will be required. Students who receive the “NC” grade are expected to repeat the course in the following semester. The “NC” grade will not be calculated in the GPA.

INC - Incomplete Grade for Missing Final Exam

An “INC” grade is given only when the student misses a final exam and is doing passing work in the course. A make-up exam is permitted. If a grade of “INC” is given, the instructor shall be expected to submit, in writing, to the Departmental Chairperson the details of all the work to be completed by the student before a final grade is given. The student must finish all the assignments as defined by the instructor, or in his absence, by the Departmental Chairperson prior to the end of the subsequent semester, the summer being excluded. For a grade of “INC” given during the summer session, the subsequent semester shall be the following fall semester. If the necessary assignment is not completed during this period, the student shall receive a “FIN” automatically. “FIN” is converted from an “INC” grade when the final exam is not taken by the end of the subsequent semester. Credits are counted towards the GPA Index.

INC - Incomplete Grade for Missing Work

An “INC” is a temporary grade for the student who is doing passing work during a semester and who for some justifiable reason has not been able to complete a particular assignment. The student must finish all the assignments as defined by the instructor, or in his absence, by the Departmental Chairperson prior to the end of the subsequent semester, the summer being excluded. For a grade of “INC” given during the summer session, the subsequent semester shall be the following fall semester. If the necessary assignment is not completed during this period, the student shall receive an “FIN” automatically. To change the grade of “INC”, the lower portion of the Grade Change Form shall be used by the instructor or by the Departmental Chairperson, as the case may be. “FIN” is converted from an “INC” grade when the student does not complete assignments by the end of the subsequent semester. Credits are counted towards GPA Index.

AUD

A student may register and pay the full tuition for a course as an auditor. The audit option must be taken during the College’s registration period. At the completion of the course, the student will receive an “AUD” grade. No credit is received for an audited course. The “Z” Grade is assigned by the Registrar when the instructor does not submit a student’s grade.

*WN

Students who register for classes but fail to attend will receive a ‘*WN’ grade. The ‘*WN’ grade is assigned by the instructor during the first five weeks of the semester. The “*WN’ grade will not be calculated in the GPA.

WU

Students who cease to attend courses without officially withdrawing are given a grade of “WU”. Grades of “WU” are counted as “F” grades.

Grades for Remedial Skills Courses

The Remedial Skills courses carry zero (0) credit and are designed to develop skills beyond the minimal competence set by CUNY. The following grades will be assigned to Remedial Skills courses:

Grades:
P = Passing/Satisfactory
All course requirements have been met.

R = Repeat
Progress has been made, but not sufficient to pass all course requirements (Usually the CUNY Assessment Exams).

W = Withdrew Officially
*WN = Withdrew, never attended
WU = Withdrew Unofficially (attended at least once)

The courses to which these grades apply include the following: ENGR 005, ENGR 006, ENGW 005, ENGW 006, ESLR 005, ESLR 006, ESLW 005, ESLW 006, MTHP 009 , and MTHP 010 .

Scholastic Index

The Scholastic Index is a student’s overall GPA. To compute the Index, the number of credits taken is multiplied by the corresponding Index value of the grade received:

The totals are added, and the sum is divided by the total number of credits taken, including courses failed. For example, the Scholastic Index of a student who has completed sixty-two (62) credits with the letter grades indicated below is calculated as follows:

In the example, the Scholastic Index is: 30 ÷ 15 = 2.00 GPA

The unresolved grade of “INC” is not computed in a Scholastic Index. Upon resolution, the final letter grades that replace them are counted in the Index. Final grades of “W” and “*WN” are not computed in a Scholastic Index. The effect on the Scholastic Index of a student’s repeating a course is noted below under the sub-heading “Repeating a Course.” The minimum cumulative GPA needed for graduation is 2.0. Students applying for the AS/PN in Nursing are required to have a 2.70 GPA.

Repeating Courses/Recalculation of GPA

Students can repeat a course according to the criteria specified below:

1. Students must repeat any College-wide Core course in sequence if the final grade received in the lower-level course is below a “C.”
2. Students do not have to repeat a course in which an Incomplete (INC) grade was awarded until that grade is changed to an “FIN”. Students have until the end of the subsequent semester to complete the requirements for a course in which an “INC” grade is awarded. The deadline dates for completion of course requirements are in the Academic Calendar. The Academic Calendar can be found online at www.mec.cuny.edu/registrar. Failure to complete course requirements will result in a “FIN” grade. It is only at this point that a student may repeat the course from a subsequent semester.

University Policy Regarding Computing of “D” or “F” in the GPA. (F Grade Policy)

The City University of New York has mandated (September 1990) that undergraduate students receiving an earned academic grade of “D” or “F” who subsequently retake that course and receive a grade of “C” or better, will no longer have the initial grade computed into their cumulative GPA. However, the grade will remain on the transcript. The number of failing credits that are not calculated in the cumulative GPA shall be limited to sixteen (16) credits.

Academic Standard Policy

Conditions for Retention and Academic Progress

At the end of each semester, the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) and total credits of each student are reviewed. All students must obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 to be in good academic standing. Students who do not meet this criterion are placed in one of the following categories: warning, probation, or dismissal.

Academic Warning

Students below a cumulative 2.0 GPA, after one semester of coursework, will be placed on Academic Warning. These students will be required to meet individually with their academic advisor to complete and sign a probation contract as well as an educational plan (may include tutoring and/or counseling), detailing how they will work to regain a status of good academic standing. In addition, students will be required to participate in an online workshop that will begin to identify and address their academic and non-academic challenges.

Academic Probation

Students below a cumulative 2.0 GPA after two consecutive semesters will be placed on Academic Probation. All Academic Probation students will be required to meet individually with their academic advisor to complete a probation contract as well as an educational plan, detailing how they will work to regain a status of good academic standing. In addition, Academic Probation students will be mandated to complete a Keys to Academic Success workshop, specifically tailored to address the needs and challenges facing our academic probation population.

Dismissal

Students below a cumulative 2.0 GPA after three consecutive semesters may face Academic Dismissal from the College, and cannot attend any classes here at Medgar Evers College for two consecutive semesters. Students seeking reinstatement after one year must file a Petition for Reinstatement. All petitions are reviewed and decided by the College’s Academic Review and Appeal Committee. The submission of an appeal does not guarantee a student’s reinstatement into the Medgar Evers College.

Appeals for Review of Dismissal Action

A student may submit an appeal for immediate reinstatement by completing a Dismissal Appeal Petition with a typed and proofread personal statement and supporting documentation (i.e., medical records, death certificate, eviction notice, etc.) to the Academic Review & Appeal Committee (ARAC) for consideration. The committee will review the appeal with appropriate documentation, verification, and justification for immediate reinstatement. The student will be notified in writing of the outcome of the appeal before the beginning of the next semester and will receive a written recommendation regarding the conditions for a continuance.

Admission on Probation

A student admitted to Medgar Evers College with a GPA from another institution that is lower than the minimum required for the number of credits transferred is admitted on probation. He/she will not be dismissed for at least one semester but must follow the above requirements.

Students who make satisfactory progress during the probation period, and continue to increase their cumulative GPA are required to maintain good academic standing in order to remain enrolled at the College.

Students Readmitted to the College

Students can apply for readmission if they have not been enrolled for one or more continuous semesters at the College. An application is made through the Office of Admissions. Students applying for readmission whose cumulative Grade Point Average is less than 2.0,   must Petition for Reinstatement with the Academic Review and Appeal committee. This process will include the completion of the Petition for Reinstatement Form, and submission of a Personal Statement of Appeal, and any relevant supporting documents. The student is also responsible for resolving any “Stops” or “Holds” placed by Bursar, Financial Aid, Health Services or Admissions offices. Students who are readmitted on probation and do not adhere to the College’s Academic Standard Policy, nor demonstrate academic progression will be dismissed.

Readmission of Academic Continued Probation Students

Students who are on academic continued probation and have not been enrolled for one or more semesters at the College must first submit a petition for reinstatement to the Academic Review & Appeal Committee. The student may only complete a readmit application if ARAC approves the petition for reinstatement and must adhere to ARAC’s conditions for reinstatement.

Academic Standard Holds

Probation and Dismissal Holds are automatically placed on the registration of all probation and dismissed students to ensure that they follow the recommendations of academic advisement offices (AAC, FYP, EDUCATION, SEEK, ASAP). Students must make arrangements to meet (in-person or virtually) with their advisor, in order to receive advisement, and before holds can be lifted.

Academic Honors

Dean’s Honor List

A Dean’s List is prepared at the end of each fall and spring semesters. To be eligible for this honor, the student must meet the following requirements: be a full-time (12 or more College credits) matriculated student with a 3.25 minimum semester GPA with no “INC” grades for that particular semester. Grade changes for that semester void Dean’s List eligibility.

Honors for General Excellence for Graduating Students

To be considered for Honors for General Excellence, a student must complete at least sixty (60) credits at Medgar Evers College.

The honor Summa Cum Laude shall be granted upon attainment of a cumulative GPA at Medgar Evers College of at least 3.7 for the entire academic record.

The honor Magna Cum Laude shall be granted upon attainment of a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, but less than 3.7, for the complete academic record.

The honor Cum Laude shall be granted upon the attainment of a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher but less than 3.5 for the complete academic record.

Valedictorian and Associate Scholar

The students who respectively receive the highest GPA in the baccalaureate and associate graduating classes will be considered for valedictorian (Baccalaureate Degree) and associate scholar (Associate Degree). Only students who begin and complete their entire studies at Medgar Evers College will be considered for these honors.

Grade Appeal Process

A grade appeal must adhere to the following process:

1. The student shall seek a conference with the instructor awarding the grade as soon as possible but not later than the end of the sixth week of the following semester. The instructor shall reevaluate the student’s performance and explain the grade awarded. If a change of grade is warranted, the instructor will submit a Change of Grade form to the Academic Department Chairperson and School Dean for their signatures. The form then will be forwarded to the Office of the Registrar by the School Dean. If the instructor concerned is not on campus during the semester or the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the conference in Step 1, the student may file a departmental grade appeal petition with the Chairperson of the Department in which the course was offered. Such an appeal should be made no later than two weeks after the meeting described in Step 1. If Step 1 is not possible (due to the instructor’s absence, for instance), then an appeal must be made no later than the end of the sixth week of the semester following the award of the grade. The petition should state all reasons for and providing all material in support of the grade change. In the absence of specific reasons and supporting materials, such requests will not be accepted.
2. The Chairperson of the Department in consultation with the Departmental Committee on Academic Standards and Regulations shall review the request for change of grade. If the discipline in which the course was offered has a coordinator, this person should serve as a member of the Committee provided he/she is not the professor who awarded the grade. The Committee will review all pertinent material (including a summary of the discussion in (1), if applicable) and will notify the instructor concerned of its decision. The Chairperson must notify the student regarding the result of the appeal no later than thirty (30) days after the written request was submitted by the student.
3. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of (2), s/he may submit a Grade Appeal form available in the Student Advocacy and Support Services Center) to the Collegewide Committee on Academic Standards and Regulations. The student must provide all relevant materials in support of this appeal. The Committee on Academic Standards and Regulations will review the necessary material(s), including the summary of the discussions in (1) and (2) and shall make a final decision. The coordinator of the Committee will notify the student of the results of the petition and appeal.

Attendance and Other Course Requirements

All students are responsible for participating fully in the work of each course. Additional regulations may be determined by the Department.

The class instructor shall announce in writing any special regulations for these courses at the beginning of the course. It is the student’s responsibility to be informed of the requirements of each course, to take examinations at the time prescribed by each instructor, and to turn in all assignments when they are due. A grade of “WU” will be assigned to students who stop participating in class as prescribed by the instructor. A “WU” grade is equivalent to an “F” grade. Attendance may affect eligibility for Financial Aid. (See section on Financial Aid.)

Withdrawal from Courses

A student may officially withdraw from a course without academic penalty through the ninth week of classes during the fall and spring semesters; through the third week for the Summer Session; and through the first week of the Winter Session. Please review the Academic Calendar for exact dates and deadlines in the Course Schedule Booklet or online at www.mec.cuny.edu/registrar. When contemplating withdrawal from courses, the student should bear in mind that academic standing or eligibility for financial aid may be affected. Failure to adhere to the procedures for withdrawing from courses will result in “WU” grades. In order to officially withdraw from a course, a student must:

1. Log on to your CUNYFirst Account
2. Go to Self Service
     a. Student Center
     b. Enroll
     c. Drop tab
     d. Select term
     e. Select the class
     f. Drop your selected class
3. Click on Finish Dropping message states “SUCCESS”

The City University of New York has mandated that all remedial courses be completed within a student’s first year of college. Withdrawal from Remedial Skills courses will not be permitted without the approval of the Director of the Freshman Year Program, the Chairperson of the English Department, Chairperson of the Math Department or Chairperson of SEEK/Special Programs.

For students withdrawing from the 4th through the 8th week, a grade of “W” is given, which is not counted in computing the GPA. Grades of “Z” are given by the Registrar’s Office only.

Unofficial Withdrawal from Class

Students who cease to attend courses without officially withdrawing are given a grade of “WU”. Grades of “WU” are counted as “F” grades. “WU” grades can be appealed by filing a petition through the Student Advocacy and Support Services Center which is reviewed by the College-wide Committee on Academic Standards and Regulations. All appeals must be accompanied by substantive documentation. All such appeals will be presented to the Committee for approval or denial. The student is subsequently notified of the decision by the coordinator of the Committee.

Request for Transcripts

Request for official and student copy of transcripts can be made at the Registrar’s Office or online at www.mec.cuny.edu/registrar. There is a $7.00 fee for each official and student copy. However, currently, enrolled students may obtain a free student copy of their transcript CUNYFirst as long as there are no STOPS on the student record.

Copies of transcripts requested for other CUNY colleges are free for all students.

Sharing Courses Policy

Students may choose Common Core courses that also meet their degree program requirements. In many situations, colleges might advise or encourage them to do so. Students who select a course that fulfills both Common Core and degree program requirements cannot be assigned additional degree program requirements as a result.

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic dishonesty is prohibited in The City University of New York. Penalties for academic dishonesty include academic sanctions, such as failing or otherwise reduced grades, and/or disciplinary sanctions, including suspension or expulsion.

1. Definitions and Examples of Academic Dishonesty.

1.1 Cheating is the unauthorized use or attempted use of material, information, notes, study aids, devices or communication during an academic exercise. Examples of cheating include:

• Copying from another student during an examination or allowing another to copy your work.
• Unauthorized collaboration on a take-home assignment or examination.
• Using notes during a closed book examination.
• Taking an examination for another student, or asking or allowing another student to take an examination for you.
• Changing a graded exam and returning it for more credit
• Submitting substantial portions of the same paper to more than one course without consulting with each instructor.
• Preparing answers or writing notes in a blue book (exam booklet) before an examination.
• Allowing others to research and write assigned papers or do assigned projects, including using commercial term paper services
• Giving assistance to acts of academic misconduct/dishonesty
• Fabricating data (in whole or in part).
• Falsifying data (in whole or in part).
• Submitting someone else’s work as your own.
• Unauthorized use during an examination of any electronic devices such as cell phones, computers or other technologies to retrieve or send information.

1.2. Plagiarism is the act of presenting another person’s ideas, research or writing as your own. Examples of plagiarism include:

• Copying another person’s actual words or images without the use of quotation marks and footnotes attributing the words to their source.
• Presenting another person’s ideas or theories in your own words without acknowledging the source.
• Failing to acknowledge collaborators on homework and laboratory assignments.
• Internet plagiarism, including submitting downloaded term papers or parts of term papers, paraphrasing or copying information from the internet without citing the source, or “cutting & pasting” Academic Requirements, Regulations and Policies from various sources without proper attribution.

1.3. Obtaining Unfair Advantage is any action taken by a student that gives that student an unfair advantage in his/her academic work over another student, or an action taken by a student through which a student attempts to gain an unfair advantage in his or her academic work over another student. Examples of obtaining unfair advantage include:

• Stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining advance access to examination materials.
• Depriving other students of access to library materials by stealing, destroying, defacing, or concealing them.
• Retaining, using or circulating examination materials which clearly indicate that they should be returned at the end of the exam.
• Intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s work

1.4. Falsification of Records and Official Documents

Examples of falsification include:

• Forging signatures of authorization.
• Falsifying information on an official academic record.
• Falsifying information on an official document such as a grade report, letter of permission, drop/add form, ID card or other college document

2. Methods for Promoting Academic Integrity

2.1. Packets containing a copy of the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and, if applicable, the college’s procedures implementing the Policy, and information explaining the Policy and procedures shall be distributed to all current faculty and, on an annual basis to all new faculty (full and part time). These packets also shall be posted on each college’s website. Orientation sessions for all new faculty (full and part-time) and students shall incorporate a discussion of academic integrity.

2.2. All college catalogs, student handbooks, faculty handbooks, and college websites shall include the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and, if applicable, college procedures implementing the policy and the consequences of not adhering to the Policy.

2.3. Each college shall subscribe to an electronic plagiarism detection service and shall notify students of the fact that such a service is available for use by the faculty. Colleges shall encourage faculty members to use such services and to inform students of their use of such services.

3. Reporting

3.1. Each college’s president shall appoint an Academic Integrity Officer in consultation with the elected faculty governance leader.

The Academic Integrity Officer shall serve as the initial contact person with faculty members when they report incidents of suspected academic dishonesty. The Academic Integrity Officer may be the college’s Student Conduct Officer, another student affairs official, an academic affairs official, or a tenured faculty member. Additional duties of the Academic Integrity Officer are described in Sections 4.1., 4.2.1., 4.2.2., 4.3 and 4.4.

3.2. A faculty member who suspects that a student has committed a violation of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy shall review with the student the facts and circumstances of the suspected violation whenever feasible. Thereafter, a faculty member who concludes that there has been an incident of academic dishonesty sufficient to affect the student’s final course grade shall report such incident on a Faculty Report Form in substantially the same format as the sample annexed to this Policy and shall submit the Form to the college’s Academic Integrity Officer. Each college shall use a uniform form throughout the college, which shall contain, at a minimum, the name of the instructor, the name of the student, the course name and number, the date of the incident, an explanation of the incident and the instructor’s contact information.

3.3.The Academic Integrity Officer shall update the Faculty Report Form after a suspected incident has been resolved to reflect that resolution. Unless the resolution exonerates the student, as described in Section 4.4, the Academic Integrity Officer of each college shall place the Form in a confidential academic integrity file created for each student alleged to have violated the Academic Integrity Policy and shall retain each Form for the purposes of identifying repeat offenders, gathering data, and assessing and reviewing policies. Unless they exonerate the student, written decisions on academic integrity matters after adjudication also shall be placed in the student’s academic integrity file. The Academic Integrity Officer shall be responsible for maintaining students’ academic integrity files.

4. Procedures for Imposition of Sanctions

4.1. Determination on academic vs. disciplinary sanction.

The Academic Integrity Officer shall determine whether to seek a disciplinary sanction in addition to an academic sanction. In making this determination, the Academic Integrity Officer shall consult with the faculty member who initiated the case and may consult with student affairs and/or academic affairs administrators as needed. Before determining which sanction(s) to seek, the Academic Integrity Officer also shall consult the student’s confidential academic integrity file, if any, to determine whether the student has been found to have previously committed a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the nature of the infraction, and the sanction imposed or action taken. Prior violations include both violations at the student’s current college and violations that occurred at any other CUNY college. In making the determination on prior violations, the Academic Integrity Officer shall determine whether the student previously attended any other CUNY college and, if so, shall request and be given access to the academic integrity file, if any, at such other CUNY college.

The Academic Integrity Officer should seek disciplinary sanctions only if (i) there is a substantial violation; (ii) the student has previously violated the Policy; or (iii) academic sanctions may not be imposed because the student has timely withdrawn from the applicable course. Examples of substantial violations include but are not limited to forging a grade form or a transcript; stealing an examination from a professor or a university office; having a substitute take an examination or taking an examination for someone else; having someone else write a paper for the student or writing a paper for another student; sabotaging another student’s work through actions that prevent or impede the other student from successfully completing an assignment, and violations committed by a graduate or professional student or a student who will seek professional licensure. The college also should consider any mitigating circumstances in making this determination.

4.2. Procedures in Cases Involving Only Academic Sanctions.

4.2.1. Student Admits to the Academic Dishonesty and Does Not Contest the Academic Sanction.

If a faculty member wishes to seek only an academic sanction (i.e.,  a reduced grade) and the student does not contest either his/her guilt or the particular reduced grade the faculty member has chosen, then the student shall be given the reduced grade, unless the Academic Integrity Officer decides to seek a disciplinary sanction. The reduced grade may apply to the particular assignment as to which the violation occurred or to the course grade, at the faculty member’s discretion. A reduced grade may be an “F” or another grade that is lower than the grade that the student would have earned but for the violation. The faculty member shall inform the Academic Integrity Officer of the resolution via email and the Officer shall update the applicable Faculty Report Form to reflect that resolution.

4.2.2 Student Admits to the Academic Dishonesty but Contests the Academic Sanction.

In a case where a student admits to the alleged academic dishonesty but contests the particular academic sanction imposed, the student may appeal the academic sanction through the college’s grade appeal process. The student shall be allowed, at a minimum, an opportunity to present a written position with supporting evidence. The committee reviewing the appeal shall issue a written decision explaining the justification for the academic sanction imposed.

4.2.3. Student Denies the Academic Dishonesty

In a case where a student denies the academic dishonesty, a fact-finding determination shall be made, at each college’s option, by an Academic Integrity Committee established by the College’s governance body or by the Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committee established under Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws. Each college’s Academic Integrity Committee shall adopt procedures for hearing cases. (If a college opts to use its Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committee for this purpose, that Committee shall use Article IX procedures.) These procedures, at a minimum, shall provide a student with:

(i) written notice of the charges against him or her;

(ii) the right to appear before the Committee; and

(iii) the right to present witness statements and/or to call witnesses. Those procedures also shall provide the faculty member with the right to make an appearance before the Committee. The Committee may request the testimony of any witness and may permit any such witness to be questioned by the student and by the administrator presenting the case. Academic Integrity Committees and Student-Faculty Disciplinary Committees, as applicable, shall issue written decisions and send copies of their decisions to the college’s Academic Integrity Officer. The Academic Integrity Officer may not serve on a college’s Academic Integrity Committee.

4.3. Procedures in Cases Involving Disciplinary Sanctions

If the college decides to seek a disciplinary sanction, the case shall be processed under Article XV of the CUNY Bylaws. If the case is not resolved through mediation under Article XV, it shall be heard by the college’s Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee.

If the college seeks to have both a disciplinary and an academic sanction imposed, the college shall proceed first with the disciplinary proceeding and await its outcome before addressing the academic sanction. The student’s grade shall be held in abeyance by using the PEN grade established for this purpose, pending the Committee’s action. If the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee finds that the alleged violation occurred, then the faculty member may reflect that finding in the student’s grade. The student may appeal the finding in accordance with Article XV procedures and/or may appeal the grade imposed by the faculty member in accordance with section 4.2.2. If the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee finds that the alleged violation did not occur, then no sanction of any kind may be imposed.

Where a matter proceeds to the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee, the Academic Integrity Officer shall promptly report its resolution to the faculty member and file a record of the resolution in the student’s confidential academic integrity file, unless, as explained below, the suspected violation was held to be unfounded.

4.4. Required Action in Cases of No Violation

If either the Academic Integrity Committee or the Faculty-Student Disciplinary Committee finds that no violation occurred, the Academic Integrity Officer shall remove all material relating to that incident from the student’s confidential academic integrity file and destroy the material.