Student Resources
Academic integrity is an important pillar of academic life. We acknowledge it can be scary to receive notification that you've violated this principle. We believe in education, and part of that belief is turning this experience into one from which you can learn by connecting you to Missouri State University-West Plains resources to support your educational success while you study with our campus.
If you are interested in information about avoiding academic integrity issues, contact the Arch W. Shaw Foundation Writing Center to request a meeting with a writing tutor. For additional information about further academic support, you can contact the Office of Advising and Academic Support and make an appointment with an academic coach. Your instructors can also answer questions about what is and isn't appropriate in their courses. Remember to read and to refer to the academic integrity policy in each course syllabus you receive to understand your instructors' requirements and possible sanctions. Using these resources can help you avoid an uncomfortable experience with academic dishonesty.
If you are notified of a violation of the academic integrity policy, these are your choices and next steps when you respond to an Incident Report:
- You can accept the proposed sanction with or without admitting a violation of the policy. We will keep a record of the incident on file. You’ll work with your instructor on the sanctions he/she/they assess according to the course syllabus.
- You may not agree with the incident report and sanctions; in this case, your next
steps are as follows:
- Submit the Student Appeal to the department chair or program coordinator who oversees your course within five academic days (that means days we hold classes on campus) of receiving this letter.
- No grade-related sanction may be imposed on you until you admit misconduct, forgo
your right to appeal, or are found in violation after an academic integrity hearing.
You must continue to attend the class and complete assignments until your right of
appeal has been exhausted.
- You can't avoid any sanctions by dropping the course, so if your instructor's policy in his/her/their syllabus is to give an F for the course when an academic integrity violation occurs and is upheld, you will still recieve the F even if you drop before the no-penalty drop date.
- If you are notified of an academic integrity issue at the end of a semester and the allegation cannot be resolved before the semester ends, your instructor will issue an I (incomplete) for your course grade until the matter has been resolved. Be aware that if the course in question is a prerequisite for a class you enrolled in for the next semester, your registration in that class can be affected.
- Call the department chair or program coordinator's office or email them to schedule
an appointment to review your appeal. If you decide to appeal the allegation against
you, you will meet with the department chair or program coordinator within 15 academic
days of receiving notice about your violation.
- If you need more time to meet with the department chair or program coordinator, please email the chair of the Academic Integrity Council and let them know your circumstances.
- Once your appeal to the department chair or program coordinator is complete, if the department chair or program coordinator denies your appeal, the sanctions recommended by the instructor will be enforced.
- However, you still have the right to appeal further. If you do not agree with the department chair's decision, you may ask for a panel hearing of the Academic Integrity Council by completing the Academic Integrity Council Appeal form.
- Should you experience an academic integrity allegation, we hope this is a one-time event from which you learn and grow, but any additional academic integrity violations may lead to a multiple violation hearing which has severe consequences, including suspension and expulsion. The Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures provides additional information on the policy.
- For further appeals, contact the Office of Academic Affairs.