DePaulia (DePaul University, Chicago, IL), 1994-01-14

              By Matt Repking Chief Reporter "Violations of academic integrity, in any of their forms, are therefore detrimental to the value of DePaul, to the students' own development as responsible members of society, and to the pursuit of knowledge and the transmission of ideas." The above statement is an excerpt from the preamble to DePaul's new Academic Integrity Policy as stated in the 1993-94 student handbook. The new policy, which went into effect this year, is marked by the creation of the Academic Integrity Board to hear cases of academic dishonesty. The new policy and board are results of the Faculty Council's Academic Policies Committee. The committee, made up of faculty members and two students, began work in 1991 on the new policy. Wayne K. Lewis, Associate Professor in the College of Law and acting chairman of the committee, remarked that the new policy's importance is twofold. "First, to have a clear policy on academic integrity and, secondly, to insure uniformity of treatment," said Lewis. By Paul Fine Managing Editor In remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, many programs and events have been planned for the DePaul community, including a "peace march" and a keynote speech. Lyndia D. McCarthy, director of multicultural student affairs, said, "To work more with the youth of Chicago, we're bussing in about 100 students from Foreman High School. We are also bussing in ET students and some from Oscar Mayer, Precious Blood Church and Our Lady of the West Side Catholic School. "We're trying to get the youth more involved, to try to develop leadership in them." An essay contest was also held for 7th and 8th grade students at Oscar Mayer and Our Lady Of The new policy states several forms of academic dishonesty. These include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, destruction or misuse of university academic resources, and academic misconduct. In the past, such violations would be at the individual professor's sole discretion. An ac- cused student could just receive a reprimand or could fail the course. In addition, standards varied from college to college as well. As a result, many saw the policy riddled with inconsistencies. The new policy seeks to correct the inconsistencies of the old system. This policy will be uniform to all colleges at DePaul except the College of Law, which has special obligations requiring an honor code. Celebrations planned to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day the West Side, where students had to write on "The Hero Within." "The three winners will get savings bonds, hopefully to use for education," McCarthy said. On Monday at the DePaul Center Student Union (11th floor), from 11 a.m. 2 p.m., birthday cake will be served and speeches of King played. A mass will be held at the Lewis Center Chapel at noon. Also on Monday, signs for the march will be made in the Stuart Center pit starting at 3:30 p.m. At 5 p.m. the peace march will begin in the Stuart pit. The march will wind through campus and finish at St. vVincent de Paul Church. During the march, members of the St. Agatha Family Empower­ Turn to page Clje ©eBauIia Vol. 72, No. 10 DePaul University January 14,1994 New Academic Integrity Policy to go into effect The Academic Integrity Board will be composed of both faculty and students. A pool of ten professors has been selected, and the process of selecting ten students is underway. Upon a case coming before the Board, the chairman of the board, Assistant Professor of Management Alexander Devience, will assem- The new policy seeks to correct the inconsistencies of the old system. This policy will be uniform to all colleges at DePaul, except the College of Law, which has special obligations requiring an honor code. ble a panel of three professors and two students from the pools to hear the case. Student Government Association President Michael G. Gibbs, who, along with DePaul Activities Board President Les A. Devine worked on the original committee, is currently looking for students to serve on the board. He remarked that he is "glad that students have the opportunity to serve on the board." Any interes- ment (SAFE) youth choir will sing. At 6 p.m. Rev. Kenneth Hamilton, S.V.D., will give the keynote address, "The Hero Within." After the speech, a reception will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Commons. On Thursday, a diner's club will be held at 5:30 p.m. in Stuart Center 220. The focus will be "'Nguzo Saba': Using the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa to Build Community." The guest speaker will be Rev. Hamilton and the guest faculty member will be Dr. Theodoric Manley Jr. For reservations to the diner's club, contact University Ministry at (312) 362-6910. For general information, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs at (312) 362-8377. 5 for a list of activities planned for Martin Luther King Jr. Day sponsored by Multicultural Student Affairs. ted juniors and seniors should contact Gibbs at the Lincoln Park SGA office at 362-8498. Under this new policy, there are several ways a case can be brought before the Academic Integrity Board: 1. If a professor accuses a student of cheating and wishes to impose a sanction upon the student, such as a failing grade, he must send a letter to the student explaining the citation as well as a copy to the administration. Then, the student must decide whether or not to appeal. If the student decides to appeal, he must send a letter to the chairman of the board and a hearing will be scheduled. 2. If a student is charged with more than one violation, the case will go before the board By Jennifer Andreas automatically. 3. If a professor wants to impose a greater sanction (i.e. dismissal) upon the student than he is allowed to impose, the case will go before the board. 4. If a professor, staff member, or student witnesses another student in an act of academic dishonesty, such as defacing books at the library, he may file a complaint before the board. 5. Finally, if a student is not satisfied with a professor's reaction to another student's violation, that student may file a complaint with the board against the violator. Except under scenario 1, the chair of the board may at any time dismiss the case against any student for lack of evidence or any other reason. In addition, an accused student may have an adviser at the hearing to help with his defense. However, that adviser must be "currently employed by or a student of DePaul University." The board's decisions are final and are not open to appeal. Their sanctions can range from a reprimand to suspension to a recommendation for dismissal. See Policy, page 4 Academic calendar for '94-'95 decided g0 me After months of planning and Thanksgiving and stay there. It debate, the academic calendar really benefits those who live out for the 1994-'95 school year has of state," said Patty Toffolo. been decided. While beneficial to out-of-state The calendar is a variation of students it was planned to help SGA's plan in which classes commuters and residents also, would start Aug. 31, and finals for "I would have rathered started fall quarter would be held °n Aug. 31, than on Sept. 8, but if before Thanksgiving. it makes everyone happy then I'm The new calendar has classes all for it," said Laurence Holmes, beginning on Sept. 8, and finals fourth floor representative of Unheld before Thanksgiving. iversity Hall. Father Minogue said/T was Jennifer Mathia said she feels very happy that people had an similarly. "It's abetter schedule opportunity to express their than we have this year because viewpoints, although conflicting, it's easier for people who live out We had expertise to solve techni- of state, but I would have precal problems and various leaderships, ferred to start on Aug. 31." joint council, faculty council, and Finals will be slightly different SGA, to come to a consensus in a next year, also. To have the rereasonably short time." quired number of days, finals will When choosing the calendar begin immediately after the last many factors were considered, meeting of fall classes. Whereas Because a certain number of this year, students had Thanksgivhours in class is required, ing weekend to study, next year a holidays and days off needed to student could have a final within be analyzed. a day of class ending. St Vincent dePaul Day will not Michelle Knight said,"The be given as a day off this year, calendar is ok, but I'm kind of While it will still be celebrated, worried about having enough that day off will be tacked onto time to study for finals." Chastmas vacation. Labor Day Michael Gibbs, president of will remain a part of summer Student Government said,"I'm vacation. pleased overall and hope future Many students seem pleased calendars will reflect the conwitbuthe changes for next year. "I siderations given to having exams really like the idea because it lets before Thanksgiving." home to Connecticut for