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Scholarly Misconduct Policy


Outlines the college's process that will differentiate instances of genuine and serious scholarly misconduct from insignificant deviations from acceptable practices, technical violations of rules, simple carelessness and other such minor infractions.

Policy Information


Policy Number Policy Owner
1015.3 Provost/VP of Academic Affairs

 

  • 4.0 Policy

    Faculty and staff at SUNY Plattsburgh affirm their responsible for integrity and professionalism in all of their work-related activities. In discharging this responsibility, they are guided by the ethical standards of their discipline and by the American Association of University Professors Statement on Professional Ethics. In dealing with alleged breaches of ethical conduct, faculty and staff are guided by relevant sections of the College Handbook, the SUNY Plattsburgh Procedures for Addressing Suspected Scholarly Misconduct among Faculty and Staff, and union procedures for managing disciplinary actions. (Faculty Senate Action #597, September 13, 2005)

    It is the intent of this policy to assure and promote the principles of professional integrity, to prevent scholarly misconduct, and to discover and censure instances of misconduct when they occur. Accordingly,

    1. SUNY Plattsburgh shall maintain high ethical standards in all scholarly and creative work, prevent misconduct where possible, and promptly and fairly evaluate and resolve instances of alleged or apparent misconduct.
    2. Each member of the college community has a responsibility to report suspected misconduct in scholarly work. Any individual (faculty, staff, student, or other) raising allegations of misconduct in good faith will not suffer any penalty; frivolous, mischievous, malicious, or deliberate misrepresentation in alleging misconduct, however, will not be tolerated and may result in action against the perpetrator.
    3. SUNY Plattsburgh will take appropriate disciplinary action against any individual found guilty of misconduct. This action will include disclosure to all relevant bodies, funding agencies, collaborating scholars and institutions, journal editors, professional associations, licensing boards, and potential employers who request oral or written references.
    4.  This policy applies to research, creative, and scholarly activities conducted by any member of SUNY Plattsburgh’s faculty and staff. This policy is not intended nor designed to address issues such as the conduct of students in fulfilling course requirements, which are covered by other institutional policies.
    5. Under this policy, a four-stage process for the handling of allegations of scholarly or creative misconduct has been established:
      1. an investigation to determine whether the allegation or related issues warrant a disciplinary hearing;
      2. when warranted, a disciplinary hearing;
      3. a formal finding; and
      4. appropriate disposition of the matter.
    6. To the maximum extent possible, the college will take no more than 60 calendar days to conduct an investigation and determine whether a disciplinary hearing is warranted. If it is determined that a disciplinary hearing is warranted, such a hearing will begin within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the investigation, and the institution shall
      generally take no more than 120 calendar days to complete the hearing, prepare the report of findings, and make a decision on the disposition of the case.
    7. SUNY Plattsburgh will report annually to all funding and sponsoring agencies:
      1. Assurance that the institution has established an administrative process for reviewing, investigating, and reporting allegations of misconduct in connection with sponsored research.
      2. Such specific and aggregate information on allegations, investigations, and
        findings as funding and sponsoring agencies may prescribe.

For additional information about this policy, please contact the policy owner listed above.

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