PDF version - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

Academic Policies and Procedures
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Examples include: submission of a paper prepared by other persons or agencies, including commercial
organizations; the combination of passages from various sources presented as one’s own
thoughts or analysis.
• Cheating is an act or attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he/
she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered. Examples
include: copying from another student’s test; allowing another student to copy from a test paper;
taking a test for someone else; collaborating during a test or assignment with another student by
giving or receiving information without the instructor’s permission; or using notes when disallowed.
• Academic misconduct is the intentional violation of university policies by tampering with grades or
taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of an administered test. Examples include: accessing
academic files without appropriate permission, duplicating computer software that has been
copyrighted, and forging another person’s signature.
Consequences of academic dishonesty: an instructor who has reason to believe a student has
committed an act of academic dishonesty should investigate. As part of the investigation, the instructor
should meet with the student to provide a fair opportunity for response to the allegation. If an instructor
determines that there has been an instance of academic dishonesty, he/she must file an incident report
with the office of the vice president for academic affairs who will keep a file of all confirmed accusations
of academic dishonesty. The incident report may include a suggested sanction: a failing grade for the
assignment or the course; in egregious circumstances, dismissal from the university.
Upon referral, the office of the vice president for academic affairs will also investigate the charge of
academic dishonesty. The student will be provided the opportunity to respond to the allegation. The
office of the vice president for academic affairs will then render judgment and impose sanctions. The
student may appeal the judgment or sanction to the student judicial council. The basis for the appeal
and the procedures that will be followed are as specified for disciplinary matters. No student accused
or in violation of the university’s policy regarding academic dishonesty may withdraw from a course
without the consent of the vice president for academic affairs until the allegation of dishonesty has
been resolved. In cases where academic dishonesty has been established, the student may not
withdraw from the course.
Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all class meetings of courses for which they are registered. Absences
from any class meeting weaken the learning experience. Instructors are encouraged to adhere to the
following guidelines on student absences.
• For any absence which is anticipated, the student is responsible for notifying the instructor by
the class prior to the missed class. When athletic games are rescheduled due to weather, studentathletes
must notify their instructors at least 18 hours prior to the missed class.
• If any evaluative instrument is due on the day that the student will miss class, the student is responsible
for submitting the work prior to the scheduled class meeting.
• If a student fails to speak with the instructor prior to the absence and/or fails to complete the
assignments, quizzes, or exams by the due date, the instructor is under no obligation to provide a
make-up exam, quiz, or to accept late work, unless stated otherwise in the syllabus. A grade of “0
points” on late work is appropriate.
• In a class in which there are participation points given based solely on attendance, students will lose
participation points even if they contact the instructor prior to missing class, except in the cases
noted below:
1. Student-athletes participating in one of the 21 NCAA sports.
2. Students participating in music ensembles.
3. Student senate officers representing the student body at professional meetings.
4. Students representing specific programs at events which promote the university
5. IHM seminarians who are required to serve in liturgical events in their diocese (e.g., Holy
Week services).