Dear CSUF Student,

We want you to have the best experience possible here at Cal State Fullerton.  The Dean of Students Office, Judicial Affairs, is here to assist you in meeting your academic and career goals by helping you understand the standards for academic integrity and student behavior which are expected of all students.

Our standards are not only outlined in the University Policy Statements listed below, but also in the policy section of the Student Handbook as well as in other related materials such as the University Catalog and the syllabus for each of your classes.  The University expects students to know these rules and abide by them. 

Academic Integrity Policies

• Student Rights and Responsibilities UPS 300.000
• Repetition of Courses UPS 300.015
• Academic Dishonesty UPS 300.021
• Academic Appeals UPS 300.030
• University Policy Statements (ALL)
  
  

What Is Academic Dishonesty?

Academic dishonesty (cheating) is any act which attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage or assisting or permitting others to do so.  Such acts include:

• Cheating on exams or assignments
• Unauthorized collaboration
• Plagiarism
• Falsifying academic records

If you have questions about any of these acts, including tips on how to write an effective paper without plagiarizing, please check out the following:

Academic Integrity Resources

Integrity and honesty are fundamental to the pursuit of truth and knowledge at any institution of higher education and these core values are essential to the function of the academic community at California State University, Fullerton.  Only by maintaining the highest standards of integrity, are the evaluating of students’ academic performance, the conducting of research and the ultimate awarding of degrees meaningful and representative of reality.

• Student Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism:  How to Write an Effective Research Paper
• Titan Integrity: Guide to Understanding and Avoiding Academic Dishonesty
• Academic Integrity:  A Guide for Graduate Sudents
• Academic Expectations at CSUF
• Academic Integrity Tutorial
  
  

What Can You Do To Ensure Academic Integrity?

• Don’t be dishonest!  Remember that a poor grade is better than an “F” in the course, suspension or expulsion for cheating.
• Protect your work from others.
• Don’t sit next to friends during an exam.  It may put you or them in a compromising position.
• Know exactly what constitutes academic dishonesty.  Read the policy section of your Student Handbook, talk to your professors.
• Write your own papers!  Remember that professors want to know what you think, and what you have learned about the subject.  Every word and idea should be your original words and ideas, unless you give proper citation.
• CSUF – Making Integrity Count! – do your part. 
  
  

What Behavior Can Result In A Referral To Judicial Affairs?

• Alcohol misuse has caused many problems for students – behaviors such as underage drinking, drunk in public, drinking and driving, vandalizing property while intoxicated, engaging in fights, urinating in public, committing sexual assault.
• Inability to manage time or stress sometimes overwhelms students – resulting in verbal harassment, physical intimidation, forging signatures on documents, or providing false information to the University.
• Lack of judgment and failure to understand one’s responsibility to the community are easy ways to get off track – behaviors such as disruption in the classroom, department, office, parking lot, possession of firearms or other weapons on campus, allowing or encouraging misconduct from other students or guests.
• Behavior within the community which violates local, state or federal law – such as use or possession of illegal drugs, including marijuana, selling or providing illegal     drugs, theft of property, hazing.
  

University Policies

• A Commitment to Civility at CSUF, UPS 100.006
• Nondiscrimination Policy: A Commitment to Valuing Diversity, UPS 240.000
• Policy on the Use of Alcoholic Beverages by Students and by Student Organizations, UPS 330.232
• Policy Regarding the Use of Drugs by Students, UPS 330.231
• Sexual Assault Policy
• Sexual Harassment Policy, UPS 240.100
• University Policy Statements (ALL)
  
  

What if you are accused of academic dishonesty or misconduct?

Judicial Affairs responds to an allegation that a student has violated University Standards and provides a fair, consistent and timely response to guarantee that due process is afforded each student.  Please refer to the following documents to understand the process and your role in it.

• Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Standards for Student Conduct
• President’s Directive No. 9, Use of Attorneys in Disciplinary Procedures
• Executive Order No. 1073, Student Conduct Procedures
• Summary of Student Conduct Procedures
• Student Conduct Process Flow Chart
• University Standards  
  
  

Parental Involvement

California State University, Fullerton is primarily an academic community.  As such, the university seeks to maintain an optimal learning environment for each student.  To achieve this objective, the university exercises certain disciplinary powers through various policies, rules and regulations. Judicial Affairs has been designated as the office to handle incidents involving inappropriate behavior by CSUF students.

Our office assists in resolving conflicts and promotes a positive educational community.  The goals are to hold students accountable for their behavior, to assist students in understanding the effects of their behavior on the community, to assist students in learning more appropriate behavior and to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the entire community.

Students are presumed to have a clear understanding of these standards and sufficient maturity and concern for the rights of others to value these University goals.  If a student is referred to Judicial Affairs for making a decision which violates University standards, he/she is expected to honestly discuss the behavior and to take responsibility for any misconduct if appropriate.

Parents can be useful partners in protecting the standards of the academic community.  In our process, parents are most helpful when they partner with the University’s educational efforts to emphasize their student’s responsibility to live within CSUF policies, rules and regulations.

Students may notify parents when they have been referred to Judicial Affairs and parents may accompany the student to the meeting as an advisor.  While the office will be responsive to a parent’s concerns, the student will be expected to provide relevant information concerning the incident and answer questions as the office investigates the allegation.

If a student wishes to grant permission to anyone, including a parent, to speak with the Associate Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs concerning the allegation, the student will need to complete a Discipline File Release Form.

Students, who fail to make an appointment, fail to appear for a scheduled appointment or fail to comply with the terms of an assigned sanction, will have a hold placed on their academic records prohibiting registration transactions, including adding/dropping classes or receiving transcripts.

Resources for Students Found Responsible for Violations

• Alcohol.edu
• Critical Thinking Exercise
• Ethical Decision Making
• Procedures for Resolving Issues
• Strategies for Academic Success Worksheet
  
  

Confidentiality

All applicable laws, including FERPA, and University policies concerning privacy and confidentially are followed. Information regarding any student’s disciplinary status is not discussed with anyone outside the Judicial Affairs Office except under conditions specified by policy.  Disciplinary information may only be released with a court order, with the student’s written permission or for educational reasons.

Questions?

If you have any questions, concerns or wish to report a violation, please contact the Associate Dean of Students, Judicial Affairs, (X4436).

Links to University Resources

• Assistant Deans for Student Affairs
• Campus Calendar
• Disabled Student Services
• Parking and Transportation Services
• Pollak Library
• Student Health and Counseling Center
• University Learning Center
• University Police
• University Writing Center