Academic and Professional Integrity

​Professional Integrity

The Brown School minimally expects that students will do the following inside and outside the classroom, including on-line when engaged with colleagues, including faculty, staff, fellow students, practicum supervisors, clients and other constituents in University-sponsored or related programs and/or activities:

1. Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Code of Ethics adopted by the National Association of Social Workers and the Public Health Code of Ethics adopted by the Public Health Leadership Society.
2. Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the University’s Code of Conduct.
3. Demonstrate an ability to speak, listen, and engage in a manner that is respectful, professional and not harmful.
4. Demonstrate clarity of thinking, including an ability to process information, conceptualize, and integrate knowledge.
5. Demonstrate honesty in interactions with students, staff, and faculty and at the practicum agency and an ability to be responsible, including such things as accurately recording and reporting practicum hours, keeping appointments, and attending class regularly and punctually in accordance with instructors’ policies.
6. Demonstrate an ability to suspend personal biases in professional interactions, including not imposing personal, religious, or cultural values on others.
7. Represent their backgrounds, experiences, and qualifications honestly.
8. Seek and use help for medical and emotional problems that interfere with scholastic and professional performance, including engaging in treatment for substance abuse and mental disorders when needed.
9. Respond to communication and outreach from Brown School and Washington University faculty and staff within a timely manner.
10. Respect and maintain the appearance and the functionality of all buildings, classrooms, and other facilities.

Evidence that a student is meeting or failing to meet these expectations may come from a variety of sources, including observation of student behavior in the classroom; the field practicum; interactions with fellow students, faculty, and staff; personal statements; self-assessments; recorded interview situations; and feedback from students, staff, community members, or other sources.

Professional Integrity Violations

Professional integrity violations consist of behavior that is inconsistent with professional or ethical standards in the professional roles for which the student is being trained that are not necessarily covered by policies governing academic integrity. Behaviors inconsistent with the above listed expectations will be considered violations of professional integrity.

The following offenses, or attempts to commit these offenses, constitute violations of academic integrity:

1. Plagiarism and other misappropriation of the work of another

Plagiarism is the willful or unintentional act of using, without proper acknowledgement, another person’s or persons’ words, ideas, results, methods, opinions, or concepts. It does not matter whether the appropriated information is published or unpublished, academic or nonacademic in content, or in the public or private domain. The act of claiming as one’s own work any intellectual material created by another or others is wrong and will be treated as a serious violation of academic integrity.

It is recognized and understood that a student’s work may often draw from previously published material and works for reference and inspiration, and the Brown School encourages this type of exploration. However, student work claimed or presented as original but which has been lifted without significant change from other sources, including magazines, the Internet, fellow students or colleagues, is unacceptable and will be treated as a violation of this policy.

To avoid plagiarism, students are expected to be attentive to proper methods of documentation and acknowledgement by following the citation format indicated by their instructor (typically APA or AMA) and students should:

1. Enclose every short quotation in quotation marks. If the quotation is longer than 40 words or four typed lines, it should be set off by indenting it the same amount as the paragraph indent (a half inch; this kind of indentation is called a “block” quote and does not require quotation marks). Correct citation of the source must follow the quote in both cases.
2. Correctly cite the source of quotes, summaries, paraphrases, concepts, ideas, conclusions, statistics or other factual data that is not considered common knowledge.
3. Properly format and include in-text parenthetical, endnote, or footnote citations and match them to the list of references at the end of the paper.
4. Appropriately acknowledge and cite the source of material, whether published in print or electronically or obtained from lectures, interviews, and other oral forms of communication.
5. Follow the form of model in-text citations, footnotes, endnotes, and reference, works cited, or bibliography entries in a standard handbook of style or the form recommended by the instructor, typically including the author’s(s’) name(s), date of publication, title of document and publication, and physical or electronic location of document or publisher to enable the reader to locate and examine the sources.
6. Acknowledge to the instructor in the endorsement of a paper all the help of persons who have contributed to the research or writing of that assignment (the assistance of the Communication Lab need not be acknowledged).
7. Obtain explicit permission from instructors in all courses concerned before submitting written work that is substantially the same to meet the requirements of more than one course or more than one paper in the same course.  Typically such submission is discouraged because it does not reflect work done to fulfill the objectives of the course in which it is submitted after the first time.
8. Avoid self-plagiarism by acknowledging and properly citing material written in other contexts (such as publications written for nonprofits or NGOs before attending Brown School).

2. Cheating, Copying, or Collaborating on Assignments without Permission

When a student submits work with their  name on it, it is a written statement that credit for the work belongs to that student alone. If the work was a product of collaboration, each student is expected to clearly acknowledge in writing all persons who contributed to the work. Unless the instructor explicitly states otherwise, it is dishonest to collaborate with others when completing any assignment or test, performing laboratory experiments, writing and/or documenting computer programs, writing papers, reports, or case write-ups, and completing problem sets. If a student has any questions regarding the instructor’s definition of allowable behavior, it is their responsibility to ask for clarification prior to engaging in collaboration.

To avoid cheating, copying, or unauthorized collaboration, a student should never:

1. Copy someone else’s work or answers during an examination or assignment or use or provide unapproved assistance for an examination or assignment.
2. Use any device or material to assist in the completion of an exam or assignment that is not explicitly authorized by the course instructor.
3. Use, copy or paraphrase the results of another person’s work and represent that work as their own, regardless of the circumstances. 

4. Permit another student to copy your work. 
5. Submit work as a collaborative effort that they did not contribute a fair share of the effort.
6. Submit a group member’s work as their own. 

Conversely,

• When a student submits work with their name on it, they are in effect stating the work is theirs and only theirs, unless they acknowledge in an endorsement all the help of persons who have contributed to the completion of the assignment. 
• If the instructor allows group work, students must be sure they understand the degree of acceptable collaboration, and they must contribute their fair share of the effort. 

• If one’s name is on an assignment, one has attested to the integrity of the work; therefore, individual group members may be held accountable for a class group’s academic integrity violation.

3. Fabrication or Falsification of Documents, Data, or Records

It is dishonest to fabricate, falsify, or otherwise provide misleading data or other material presented in research papers, studies, projects, reports, publications, assignments, and other academic and professional circumstances.

To avoid fabrication or falsification of one’s work, a student should never:

1. Alter information on any exam or class assignment being submitted for a re-grade.
2. Alter, omit, or invent data to submit as one’s own findings.
3. Improperly adjust or revise data for analysis or reporting.
4. Deceptively omit conflicting data or deceptively select data to report
5. Knowingly publish information that will mislead or deceive readers.
6. Fail to properly credit collaborators, including joint authors.
7. Forge signatures of authorization on practicum timesheets, evaluations, or other documents.
8. Falsify information on an official academic record, grade report, letter of permission or reference, drop/add form, ID card, or other document.
9. Falsify time on a timesheet at Washington University or practicum site.

4. Research Misconduct

It is a violation of this policy to engage in research misconduct or otherwise fail to adhere to the University’s research policies and guidelines, which can be found at research.wustl.edu. Research misconduct includes but is not limited to failure to adhere to or to receive the approval required for work under research regulations of federal, state, local, or University agencies or departments.

5. Obstruction of the Academic Activities of Another

Students are prohibited from obstructing or interfering with the scholarly research and academic activities of another individual. Examples include but are not limited to stealing, tampering with, damaging, or destroying research papers, data, supplies, equipment, designs, drawings, other products of research or academic work, or such other property of others that is related to academic endeavors, or impeding access to shared resources such as library materials, studio materials, or computer software and hardware.

6. Abuse of Confidentiality

It is a violation of this policy for a student to release information, ideas, or data of others that were provided to them with the expectation that the student would maintain such information, ideas, or data as confidential, including client and practicum agency information. For example, a student may be exposed to or asked to participate in confidential grant proposals, review of manuscripts, or other applications for honors and awards that should be considered confidential and not disclosed to unauthorized persons.

7. Other Forms of Deceit, Dishonesty, or Inappropriate Conduct

Under no circumstances is it acceptable for a student to:

1. Engage in any behavior that would be reasonably labeled deceit, dishonest, or inappropriate in an academic and professional setting.  If you are ever in doubt, please ask either the professor or the assistant to the instructor.
2. Submit the same work, or essentially the same work, for more than one course without explicitly obtaining permission from all instructors. A student must disclose when a paper or project builds on work completed earlier in his/her academic career.
3. Request an academic benefit based on false information or deception. This includes requesting an extension of time, a better grade, or a recommendation from an instructor.
4. Misrepresentation of experience or ability. This includes providing false information concerning academic achievement or background in an area of study. For example, falsely reporting the substance of an internship, omitting transcripts or other academic information on an application for admission or other University records.
5. Steal, deface, or damage academic facilities or materials. Collaborate with other students planning or engaging in any form of academic or professional misconduct.
6. Submit any academic work under someone else’s name other than one’s own. This includes but is not limited to sitting for another person’s exam; both parties will be held responsible.
7. Publish or attempt to publish collaborative works without the permission of the other participants
8. Terminate a practicum without a client and/or organization plan
9. In addition, any offense defined as academic misconduct within the Washington University Student Conduct Code may also constitute a violation of this policy.

In addition, any offense defined as academic misconduct within the Washington University Student Judicial Code may also constitute a violation of this policy.

Violations of Academic or Professional Integrity are taken seriously at the Brown School, and such behaviors may result in disciplinary action against the offending student(s).

Faculty Responsibility

Faculty and instructors must report incidents of student misconduct through the Academic and Professional Integrity Violation Reporting form on Inside Brown in a timely manner so that the incident may be handled fairly and consistent with other cases. Assistants to the instructor are expected to report instances of student misconduct to their supervising instructors.  If a student comes to a faculty member with information about an academic or professional integrity violation, faculty members are expected to follow up on the issue and report or consult with an Assistant Dean as necessary.

Student Responsibility

If a student observes others violating these policies, we encourage students to address their colleagues with their concerns to facilitate an opportunity to resolve the matter.  If the issue is not resolved, students should report the misconduct to the instructor or seek advice from the Assistant Dean of their program.

Field Instructor Responsibility

Field Instructors who believe that a student is not meeting one or more of these basic expectations should notify their contact in the Office of Field Education who will consult with the Assistant Dean of Field Education. 

Exam Proctor Responsibility

Exam proctors are expected to report incidents of suspected student misconduct to the course instructor and/or the Disability Resource Center, if applicable.  

These guidelines and procedures apply to students enrolled in a graduate program at the Brown School, as well as to graduate students from other WU schools or colleges who enroll in courses within the Brown School. They also apply to dual and joint degree students whose primary status is as a Brown School graduate degree student.  These policies also apply to Brown School students taking courses in other WU schools or colleges at Washington University if those schools do not have an applicable policy governing their students or courses.

Identification of Offense

If faculty or staff member or student suspects that academic or professional integrity has been violated, they are required to consult with the Assistant Dean of the program and/or the Assistant Deans of Student Affairs and/or Field Education for advice. The Assistant Dean or designated representative will aid in the investigation of the violation, which includes but is not limited to gathering relevant evidence; conversations with the instructor, student(s) involved, witnesses, and others as necessary. 

Depending on the seriousness of the case, the Assistant Dean may choose to refer the matter directly to the Academic and Professional Integrity Hearing Committee and/or the University Student Conduct Board. This referral procedure will generally be followed if it is believed that the penalty is likely to involve suspension or expulsion from the University. 

The Assistant Dean for the program or designated representative may arrange to meet privately with the student(s) against whom the complaint has been made.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

If a student is accused of an academic or professional integrity violation, they are entitled to the following:

• Receive written notice of the complaint under investigation and the relevant charges at issue
• Be advised of the relevant evidence accompanying the complaint in support of the charge, if any.
• Ask any questions.
• Offer an explanation as to what occurred.
• Present relevant material that would cast doubt on the complaint or the correctness of the charge.

Students must admit or deny the charge, which will determine the course of action to be pursued. Students must provide truthful information regarding the charges. It is a violation of the student judicial code to provide false information to the University or anyone acting on its behalf.

After the student has been advised of the complaint and the relevant accompanying evidence, the student has several options:

• Admit to the charges and accept the recommended sanctions and waive their right to a hearing.
• Admit to the charges and request a hearing to appeal recommended sanctions.
• Deny the charges and request a hearing in front of the academic or professional integrity committee.
• Request a leave of absence from the university, in which case a notation will be added to the transcript indicating that there is a pending matter. The academic or professional integrity matter will have to be resolved prior to re-enrollment.
• Request to withdraw permanently from the university with a transcript notation that there is an unresolved academic or professional integrity matter pending.

The student may request to delay their response to the complaint by up to five (5) business days. If no response is obtained within that time period, the non-response will act as a confirmation of the charges and acceptance of the recommended sanction.

If the accused student refuses to participate in the hearings, the Assistant Dean and/or the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee may interpret the accused student’s lack of response or participation as an admission of the charges, and Assistant Dean and/or the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee may immediately proceed to impose sanctions against the accused student in accordance with this Policy.

Suspicion or accusation of a second academic or professional integrity offense at any point in the student’s program may automatically be referred to the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee.

Academic and Professional Integrity Committee Procedures

The Academic and Professional Integrity Committee is an ad-hoc committee composed of three full-time faculty members and a member of the Office of Field Education.  The committee is composed so that the participating faculty will not have been involved in the allegation or had any significant prior experience that would preclude the instructor from participating in a non-biased manner.

The Assistant Dean of the program or designated representative will be responsible for scheduling hearings at the earliest convenient time and for notifying the person(s) who are to appear before the committee. A copy of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing will be provided in writing to the person(s) who are scheduled to appear, together with notification of the time and place of the hearing.

In exceptional cases, upon the student’s request, the Assistant Dean or designated representative may postpone a hearing, but every effort should be made to arrange a prompt and thorough hearing of the matter. The student(s) accused must make every effort to attend the hearing.  If a student can not attend, they may advise the chair in writing of any mitigating circumstance(s) that should be weighed by the committee in its consideration of disciplinary sanction. Any student who does not appear at the formal hearing retains the right to appeal any sanction imposed by the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee.

The formal hearing will be held as a closed hearing. The hearing may include the committee, the person(s) making the complaint, the student(s) charged, and one (1) additional observer chosen by the charged student(s) and/or the person making the complaint. All observers must respect the confidentiality of the disciplinary process and are there only for support.

The Academic and Professional Integrity Committee will employ the following specific procedures in hearing a case:

• The complainant and the respondent shall have the opportunity to present statements summarizing their respective cases and the evidence to be presented.
• The complainant shall present their evidence.  The complainant may decide whether or not to testify during the hearing.  Except as otherwise noted in this subsection, the respondent and members of the Committee may question the complainant’s witnesses.
• The respondent shall have the opportunity to present evidence. The respondent may decide whether or not to testify during the hearing.  Except as otherwise noted in this subsection, the complainant and members of the Committee may question the respondent’s witnesses.
• The complainant and the respondent shall have the opportunity to present concluding remarks.
• In any hearing, the Committee may ask questions of any participant in the hearing (including the complainant, the respondent, and any witness) at any time during the hearing, and may also recall witnesses and/or request that additional witnesses be called.
• The Committee may determine in some cases that it is appropriate for all questioning by the parties to be directed through the Committee.  In such cases, the parties will be permitted to submit questions of the other party and witnesses to the Committee five (5) days in advance of the hearing.

The student(s) charged will have the right to examine documentary evidence presented during the hearing and have the right to hear and cross-examine witnesses present at the hearing.

Immediately following the hearing, the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee will meet in closed session to consider all the evidence and information presented. The committee will, by majority vote, first determine whether the student(s) involved are in violation of all or part of the charges at issue. If the committee finding is “not in violation,” the Assistant Dean or designated representative will notify the student(s) within five (5) business days. The chair also will notify the Associate Dean of the program concerning the committee’s decision.

If the committee finding is “in violation” for all or part of the charges brought against the student(s), the Academic and Professional Integrity Committee will then decide by majority vote on appropriate sanctions for the offense in question, consistent with the guidelines. The committee will notify the Associate Dean of the program regarding the outcome of the hearing and the recommended sanctions. The Associate Dean will accept or modify the recommended sanction from the Committee and notify the student in writing within fourteen (14) business days of notification.

Sanctions

The following sanctions may be imposed if a student violates the academic or professional integrity policy:

• A verbal warning. 
• A formal written reprimand.
• Educational sanctions, such as completing a workshop on plagiarism or academic ethics or attending a professional ethics workshop or required training to address professional integrity violation or delay or removal from field education and or field-based courses.
• A requirement to seek and participate in mental health services to address issues interfering with professional and academic performance, which may include a requirement to allow school officials to confirm treatment attendance with providers.
• Complete an educational project related to appropriate conduct of research and scholarship.
• Restitution paid to appropriate party in the form of service, money, or material replacement.
• Student is asked to articulate a plan of action to address professional integrity.
• Resubmission of assignment with grade reduction.
• Student(s) fails the assignment.
• Student(s) fails the course.
• Student(s) receives a course grade penalty less severe than failure of the course.
• A restriction not allowing the student(s) to retake the course.
• Disciplinary probation for a definite period of time or until defined conditions are met. The probation will be noted on the student’s or students’ transcripts and internal record while it is in force.
• Continuing in the program with no sanctions.
• Continuing in the program if certain conditions are met.
• Recommended suspension or expulsion from the university to the Dean of the Brown School.

A recommendation of suspension or expulsion by the Committee and/or Associate Dean is sent to the Dean of the Brown School, who will determine whether to accept the Committee’s recommendation.  The Dean will formally inform student of their final decision.

In order to protect the safety of any student or other member of the Brown School community, the Chancellor’s designees have the option of suspending a student from attending classes or other School functions immediately.  The student may remain suspended while awaiting the final decision from the Associate Dean. Temporary suspensions may be appealed to the Chancellor designee under the provisions of the Washington University Student Conduct Code.

Appeals

Except in cases of suspension or expulsion, the student(s) being charged, as well as the charging party, will have the right to appeal in writing to the Dean of the Brown School within fourteen (14) business days after being notified by the Associate Dean.  Such appeal shall be made in writing to the appeal officer and shall be limited to grounds that a fair hearing was not provided or that the sanction imposed was insufficient or excessive.

The appeal must outline the reason for the appeal and provide all information relevant to the case for consideration of the appeal. The Dean then will have the opportunity to request additional information. The Dean will then determine whether an unfair hearing has occurred or whether the sanctions imposed are insufficient or excessive.  If the Dean grants the appeal, they may order a new hearing or may reduce or modify the sanctions imposed.    

All decisions are final, except that expulsions and suspensions may be appealed to the Chancellor designee under the provisions of the Washington University Student Conduct Code.

Record Keeping

It is the responsibility of the Assistant Dean and their designees to maintain the records concerning academic and professional integrity violations. When a student has been found to have violated this policy, a letter summarizing the allegation, the outcome, and sanction will be placed in the student’s official Brown School educational file.

The responsible Assistant Dean or designated representative may also report the outcome of repeated or severe student misconduct to the University’s Director of the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, who maintains a record of each incident.

The responsible Assistant Dean should make periodic (at least annual) reports to the faculty and administration of the School concerning accusations of academic and professional misconduct and the outcomes, without disclosing specific information that would allow identification of the students involved.