Academic Honesty
Honesty is a fundamental necessity for the Christian student. All students who attend Franciscan University agree to pursue their studies, indeed all of life, with integrity. The University expects each student to adhere rigorously to Christian moral standards in the academic life, pursuing academic excellence with justice and honesty. Academic dishonesty, in all its forms, is antithetical to authentic Christian scholarship.
Appropriate Dress
Students are expected to dress in a manner that expresses Christian charity and respect for self, fellow students, faculty, staff, and the academic life. Some styles and types of clothing are immodest or inappropriate for class. Students must use sound judgment and avoid wearing such attire. Students are expected to be particularly conscientious regarding clothing worn in Christ the King Chapel. Reverence for God and respect for worship are to be exhibited through proper attire.
Authority of Instructors
No student will be permitted to enter upon the study of any subject if, in the opinion of the instructor and with the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the preparation necessary to insure competent work is lacking. Every student is required to satisfy the instructor’s expectations in each course of study, in such a way as the instructor may determine that the work of the course is being performed in a satisfactory manner. Assignments are due when specified by the instructor. Instructors will periodically report to the Vice President for Academic Affairs the names of students whose attendance or work is unsatisfactory. With the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or the Director of Advising and Academic Operations, instructors may at any time dismiss from a course any student who, in their judgment, has neglected the course work. A student thus excluded will be recorded as having failed in the course, unless the instructor determines otherwise.
Cheating/Plagiarism
Students who cheat on or plagiarize any test, paper, or other assignment shall be disciplined appropriately. Professors may further define what constitutes cheating in their various courses. If the professor, in his or her judgment, considers that the incident is minor and/ or inadvertent, he or she can deal with it as he or she sees fit up to and including failure on the assignment. If the professor considers that the infraction is a major violation, then it shall be reported to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his or her representative, and the professor will impose a penalty on the student that can range from receiving a zero on the assignment to failing the course, according to the professor’s discretion, and have a memorandum of this action placed in the student’s file. If a student commits a second, documented offense against academic integrity, dismissal from Franciscan University of Steubenville will result, with the action so noted in the student’s permanent record. Absent a successful student appeal, a student accused of academic dishonesty may not withdraw from the course in which the alleged infraction has taken place.
Classroom Behavior
Students should arrive on time to class as a courtesy to the faculty and class members. Tape recorders should be approved by faculty before being turned on. Cell phones and beepers should be turned off during class time. Student conduct in class should be respectful. Students who do not conduct themselves in a respectful manner will be cautioned by faculty. If inappropriate behavior continues, faculty may request to have a student withdrawn from the class.
Grade Challenge
Grade Appeals Procedure
1. Meeting with Instructor: Students may dispute a grade within one year of the grade being received. A student who seeks appeal of a final course grade will first speak with the instructor concerned. If the instructor determines that s/he was mistaken, s/he will re-calculate the grade and/or submit a request for a change of grade form. If the instructor maintains that the grade was not in error, the student may request a meeting with the Chair of the Department in which the course was taken.
2. Meeting with Department Chair: If the student wishes to proceed further with the appeal, s/he will then speak to the Chair of the Department in which the course was taken. The Chair, after speaking with both the student and instructor, may agree that the grade be upheld, or direct the instructor to alter it. If there is any question about the decision reached by the Chair, the aggrieved student or instructor will request a meeting with the School Dean or his/her designee. The Chair will keep a written record of all discussions. A copy of this should be forwarded to the School Dean if further action is necessary. If the School Dean is the instructor of the student filing the appeal, the appeal will be forwarded to the VPAA instead of the School Dean.
3. Conference: If either the student or the instructor wishes to proceed further with the appeal, s/he will contact the School Dean. If the School Dean is the instructor, the VPAA will be the designee of the School Dean’s role in the conference setting. Upon receiving the request, the School Dean or designee will call a conference with the student, Chair, and instructor. If the student wishes, they may invite a fellow student or advocate knowledgeable of the situation to attest on his or her behalf. The School Dean or designee will keep a written record of the conference, or may, at his or her discretion, invite a secretary to the meeting to assist in taking minutes. The School Dean or designee can only overturn a grade if it is found to be arbitrary, capricious, or inconsistent with the announced grading policy of the course. The final decision reached by the School Dean or designee will be communicated in writing to the student, instructor, and department Chair involved. Should the student refuse to follow the sequence herein outlined, his/her complaint shall be considered void.
[Revised 02/26/21]