Mercy College's Cheating/Plagiarism Policy and Procedure.

Online Learning adheres to Mercy College's policy of Cheating and Plagiarism.

Cheating and plagiarism are contrary to the purpose of any educational institution and must be dealt with most severely if students' work is to have any validity. An instructor who determines that a student has cheated on a test or assignment will at a minimum give a zero for that item and may give a failure for the course. Normally the matter is dealt with by the instructor and the student, but the division chairperson or Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs may be consulted by either party to ensure fairness.

Plagiarism which is the appropriation of words or ideas of another without recognition of the source is another form of cheating. An instructor who determines that a student has plagarized will give a zero for the paper or project and may give failure for the course.

Mercy College uses Turnitin.com - Recognized worldwide as the standard in online plagiarism prevention.

Both cheating and plagiarism are grounds for dismissal from the College.

An action taken regarding cheating and plagiarism is subject to the Academic Grievance Policy outline in the Student Handbook.

As passed by the Faculty Senate, March 2002.

College Procedures for dealing with incidents of cheating and/or plagiarism

In each case in which a punitive action is taken by an instructor due to evidence of cheating and/or plagiarism the following process should be followed:

1. A confidential record of the action, (zero in the assignement/test or failure in the course), shall be given to the student and maintained by the instructor and a copy fowarded to the appropriate Program Director. The Program Director will then send copies to the Division Chair and to the Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs or the Dean for Graduate Studies.

2. When the Assistant Provost for Academic Affairs notes repeated incidents by a student, the Assistant Provost shall call for a meeting of the Academic Grievance Committee to consider disciplinary action.