Article XV

Article XV. Academic Integrity Board

Section 1. Mandate

The Academic Integrity Board supports the educational mission of Smith College by upholding a rigorous standard of academic integrity defined by Smith’s Academic Integrity Statement. The Board considers all cases of suspected violations of academic integrity by students. The Board follows procedures that ensure fairness and transparency for all involved, including reported students and reporting parties. The Board’s mission is for interactions with students and faculty to be educational, not only for reporting parties and reported students, but also for the Board itself. The Board maintains confidentiality in all cases and requires all those involved in a particular case to respect the obligation of confidentiality in order to maintain the integrity of its work.

Section 2. Procedures

1. The full procedures of the Academic Integrity Board can be found in the Student Handbook.
2. The Student Government Association retains the right to review and amend any such proposed changes to the procedures.

Section 3. Types of Hearings

1. Administrative Settlement: The student is eligible for an Administrative Settlement when a student takes responsibility for the violation, has not received a previous sanction from the Academic Integrity Board, and the violation itself is deemed to be minor. A student participating in an Administrative Settlement signs an agreement waiving their right to a hearing and an appeal process. All reported students have the right to a hearing and may decline the offer if they prefer to proceed with a settlement.
2. Full Board Hearing: A panel of three faculty members (one from each division), four students, the chair, and the secretary meets with the student and, if necessary, the reporting party, and/or any other community members who have relevant information.
3. Administrative Hearing: In the following situations, the Board may conduct a hearing with the chair, the secretary, and a minimum of two voting members. This option is utilized when the Board must hear a case outside of the regular academic year (i.e., summer or January), or when a quorum of the Board cannot be achieved.

Section 4. Student Panelist Selection

1. Nominations will normally be accepted each fall for the academic year, student panelist positions will be open to sophomores, juniors, seniors, and Ada Comstock Scholars.
   1. A student wishing to apply to serve as a voting member of the Academic Integrity Board must submit an application to the Board.
   2. Eligible students must meet the following criteria:
      1. have a cumulative GPA above 2.0,
      2. have no credit shortage,
      3. have never been placed on academic probation,
      4. have never been found responsible for violating the Statement of Academic Integrity by the Academic Integrity Board, and
      5. have never been found responsible for a conduct violation by the Community Standards Board.
   3. The members of the Board and a representative from SGA will choose which applicants to appoint to a term on the Academic Integrity Board as voting members.

Section 5. Procedural Review

1. The college will review the Academic Integrity Board procedures at least every five years and will ask the Student Government Association to appoint two student representatives to serve on the review committee.