When faced with the possibility that a student in your class has engaged in an act of academic dishonesty, the College very much encourages you to discuss your concerns with the relevant member of the Office of Academic Affairs who will guide you through the entire process.

For cases in any class in the Core Curriculum please contact:

Roosevelt Montás
Associate Dean of the Core Curriculum
212-854-2453
rm63@columbia.edu

For cases in any other class involving Columbia College students please contact:

Hazel May
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
212-854-6372
hm2135@columbia.edu

Overview of College protocol

When you suspect a student of academic dishonesty:

• Discuss your concerns with the student in a straightforward and non-accusatory manner;
• Engage the student in a substantive discussion: asking a series of specific questions about the material in question and evaluating the student's response to them will usually give you a reasonable indication of whether or not there are grounds for your original suspicion of dishonesty;
• If the student cannot provide a satisfactory response, inform the student of what action you will take.

There are two options for action available to you:

• Resolve the matter yourself;
• Refer the matter to the Dean of Student Affairs and the formal disciplinary process.

Please remember that for either option the goal is an educational one - students need to learn why academic dishonesty is unacceptable to our intellectual community.

Resolving the matter yourself

If you can demonstrate that the student in question acted dishonestly but you would prefer that the matter not be referred to the formal disciplinary process, you can chose to impose an academic sanction. For example you may lower the grade for the relevant piece of work.

In such situations, please inform the College of the process you have used to determine the student's responsibility and the outcome you have decided upon. It may be that the student is facing additional problems that require interventions of a different nature and the relevant advising dean can assist.

In addition, it is vitally important that the student understands the outcome and why this outcome is appropriate given the nature of the dishonesty.

If you cannot demonstrate that the student in question acted dishonestly but you continue to have concerns about the work submitted, the matter may be best addressed through the formal disciplinary process.

Referring the matter to the Dean of Student Affairs

If you choose to refer the matter to the formal disciplinary process, you will report the case to Jasmine Rush (jj2352@columbia.edu), Associate Director of Judicial Affairs in the Dean of Student Affairs' Office. You will be asked to provide a written report of your concerns and the evidence that you have. The student will then be required to meet with his/her advising dean to prepare for the disciplinary panel which will adjudicate. The outcome will depend on the gravity of the offence and the circumstances of the individual student. If found responsible students can face consequences ranging from a warning through probation to suspension or dismissal.

For cases of academic dishonesty involving students in the University's other undergraduate schools please contact:

General Studies students:
Andrea Solomon
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
212-854-8856
as660@columbia.edu

Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science students:
Kevin Shollenberger
Interim Dean of Student Affairs
212-854-3611
ks693@columbia.edu

Barnard College students:
Karen Blank
Dean of Studies
212-854-2024
kblank@barnard.edu