Section 0240-07-04-.05 - UNIVERSITY SANCTIONS FOR ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT(1) Appropriate sanctions will be determined by majority vote of the Committee and reported to the Vice Provost for Faculty and Strategic Initiatives for recording in the academic integrity software of record. Students will be provided notice of all sanctions. Graduate programs may impose separate, additional sanctions (up to and including removal from the program) for graduate student academic misconduct. This requires a majority vote of the student's faculty advisor, program director, and department chair (or academic dean, for interdisciplinary programs). In these instances, program directors are responsible for calling this vote within seven (7) business days of the final disposition of the student's academic integrity case, promptly notifying the student of additional sanctions, and reporting sanctions to the Vice Provost for Faculty and Strategic Initiatives.(2) Any finding against the student or admission of responsibility by the student will result in a record that will be maintained and referred to by the Director in the event that a subsequent misconduct case arises against the student, regardless of the severity of sanctions imposed in those instances.(3) Subsequent determinations of academic misconduct may result in more severe University sanctions. If a student has been found responsible for academic misconduct more than once, the Director will inform the sitting members of the Committee of the nature of prior offenses so that appropriate sanctions may be determined. These facts will not be revealed prior to the Committee's determination of responsibility in the present case in order to avoid prejudice.(4) Sanctions may include suspension or expulsion from the University but only if the student was provided the option of a UAPA hearing. (See Rule 0240-07-04-.07 for conducting the hearing required in such a case.)(5) Sanctions include, but are not limited to:(a) Reprimand. A written reprimand will be given to a student whose conduct violates any part of these rules, and warns a student that any further violation(s) may result in more serious consequences;(b) Specified Educational Program. Requirement to participate in specified educational program(s) or project(s) relevant to the offense and overseen by the Director;(c) Restriction. A restriction upon a student's privileges for a period of time may be imposed. This restriction may include, but not be limited to denial of the ability to represent MTSU at any event, ability to participate in University travel, or use of facilities (including, but not limited to, labs, etc.).(d) Probation. Any student placed on probation will be notified of the terms and length of the probation. Any conduct in further violation of this Rule while on probationary status or the failure to comply with the terms of the probationary period may result in the imposition of more severe disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion following the hearing process described in these rules for any subsequent academic misconduct violation.(e) Suspension. Separation from the University for a specified period of time. This includes all instructional delivery methods (including, but not limited to, on ground, online, hybrid, etc.). Suspension may be accompanied by special conditions for readmission. Any student receiving a sanction of suspension shall be restricted from the campus of MTSU during the period of separation unless on official business with the University verified in writing by the Dean of Students or, if a graduate student, by the Dean of the College of Graduate studies. A suspended student must submit a written request to be on campus to the Dean of Students or, if a graduate student, to the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the scheduled time of his/her business on campus. The request must specify the specific reason to be on campus and the location that the student wishes to visit. The Dean of Students or the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will issue a written decision regarding the request to be on campus, and the student must carry that written decision with him/her during the time of the visit.(f) Expulsion. Permanent separation from the University. The imposition of this sanction is a permanent bar to the student's admission to MTSU. Any student receiving a sanction of expulsion shall be restricted from the campus of MTSU unless on official business with the University verified in writing by the Dean of Students or, if a graduate student, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. An expelled student must submit a written request to be on campus to the Dean of Students or, if a graduate student, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies, a minimum of forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the scheduled time of his/her business on campus. The request must specify the specific reason to be on campus and the location that the student wishes to visit. The Dean of Students or the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies will issue a written decision regarding the request to be on campus, and the student must carry that written decision with him/her during the time of their visit.(g) Revocation of Admission, Degree, or Credential. Under circumstances deemed appropriate, an offer of admission, a degree, or a credential awarded may be revoked or rescinded upon the recommendation of the Committee and with approval from the relevant department chair/school director and dean, the College of Graduate Studies dean (for graduate cases), the University Provost, and the President. Any final revocation of admission, degree, or credential shall be reported to the University Registrar by the Director.(h) Other Sanctions. Additional or alternate sanctions may be created and designed as deemed appropriate to the offense and the student's individual need for education, growth, and reform.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0240-07-04-.05
Original rules filed May 17, 2019; effective August 15, 2019. Amendments filed May 3, 2024; effective 8/1/2024.Authority: T.C.A. § 49-8-203(a)(1)(D).