| This | Replaces | |
| File: | 070.10 | 070.10 |
| Date: | 4/30/04 | 4/13/01 |
Introduction
Anyone conducting scholarly activity within UMUC is responsible for the integrity of such work. In accordance with the Board of Regents Policy III-1.10 Misconduct in Scholarly Work, approved on November 30, 1989, UMUC has established policies and procedures to instill and promote the principles of professional integrity, to prevent scholarly misconduct, and to discover and censure instances of misconduct when they occur.
These procedures apply to all UMUC faculty, staff, and students in the performance of scholarly or creative activity and/or research that is connected with UMUC or with a UMUC appointment. Conduct other than scholarly misconduct may be subject to review under other policies and procedures.
In every case, the burden of proof rests with the complainant. The complainant must establish the guilt of the person accused by clear and convincing evidence. In cases where the complainant wishes to remain anonymous, the burden of proof rests with the Assistant Provost for Faculty and International Affairs (or “Assistant Provost”) or Provost or designee(s), as appropriate. See Section IV. Handling Allegation of Scholarly Misconduct. If it is determined that the allegation was frivolous, mischievous or malicious, appropriate disciplinary action may be taken.
Definitions
Misconduct in scholarly work includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Falsification of data, ranging from fabrication to deceptively selective reporting, including the purposeful omission of conflicting data with the intent to falsify results.
Improper experimental manipulation. For example, manipulating experiments to obtain biased data.
Plagiarism, defined as the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person's idea or product as one's own, includes but is not limited to the following: copying verbatim all or part of another's written work; using phrases, charts, figures, illustrations, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source; or using all or part of a literary plot, poem, film, musical score, or other artistic product without attributing the work to its creator. Allegations of plagiarism against students will be processed under Policy 150.25 Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Improper assignment of credit. For example, knowingly failing to cite or insufficiently citing the work of others, including associates and students, or inadequately identifying the repetition of data or material that appears in more than one publication.
Abuse of confidentiality. For example, improper use of information gained by privileged access, such as information obtained through service on peer review panels and editorial boards.
Deliberate violation of regulations. For example, failure to comply with regulations concerning the use of human subjects, the care of animals, or health and safety of individuals and the environment.
Misappropriation of funds or resources. For example, the misuse of funds for personal gain.
A conference is a communication between two or more individuals by telephone, in writing (including but not limited to e-mail, fax, or posted letter), through videoconferencing, or in person.
“Faculty Inquiry Panel” refers to a group of at least six faculty members who shall be recommended by the Deans and Vice Presidents of each geographic region, Adelphi, UMUC-Asia, and UMUC-Europe, and approved individually by the Faculty Advisory Council. The panelist position will be held for a maximum of two years and may be renewed.
Promotion of Professional Integrity
UMUC will periodically evaluate procedures and practices that promote integrity in scholarly work, as well as practices that may inadvertently provide incentives for misconduct.
Handling Allegation of Scholarly Misconduct
Referral
Within 30 calendar days of an alleged violation of scholarly misconduct, or when a person should have reasonably known of the misconduct, all UMUC faculty, staff, and students must report violations of this Policy in writing to the President’s appointee, the Assistant Provost. All referrals will be treated as confidential.
Inquiry
The Assistant Provost will immediately inform, in writing, the person accused of violating this Policy. The Assistant Provost will also appoint an ad-hoc, three-member Inquiry Committee, consisting of appropriate exempt staff members and faculty members selected by the Assistant Provost from the Faculty Inquiry Panel, to establish whether there was an incident of scholarly misconduct by the person accused. No member of the Inquiry Committee may be personally or professionally associated with the allegation.
Within 30 calendar days of receipt of the referral, the Inquiry Committee will conduct a preliminary administrative inquiry to determine whether there is sufficient basis for the allegation to warrant a full investigation. All material reviewed by the Inquiry Committee will be considered confidential and shared only with those who need to know.
The Inquiry Committee may communicate with the person accused and provide the opportunity to present any relevant evidence. Any person accused in an inquiry is required to cooperate in furnishing materials and responding to questions. Upon request, the person accused may see the information submitted against him or her relating to the violation of scholarly misconduct. However, the person accused will not have the right to see any information that violates the privacy rights of others. The Inquiry Committee will dismiss the referral if:
The allegations, even if true, do not constitute violation of this Policy; or
The original allegation was frivolous, mischievous or malicious; or
There is no evidence of violation of this Policy based upon the inquiry conducted by the Inquiry Committee.
The Inquiry Committee will inform the Assistant Provost of its evaluation process and findings in writing, along with a recommendation with respect to any further investigation, the reasons for its recommendation, and whether any other actions should be taken if an investigation is not recommended. The Assistant Provost will notify the complainant (if not submitted anonymously), the person accused, the respective Dean, and the Provost of the decision in writing within 40 calendar days of the referral.
Investigation Committee
If the Inquiry Committee determines that further investigation is warranted, the Assistant Provost will notify the Provost or designee.
Within 14 calendar days of the Assistant Provost’s notification, the Provost or designee will appoint an ad-hoc, three-member Investigation Committee, consisting of directors, academic directors, chairpersons, or deans, as appropriate to the allegations under consideration, and one senior professional who is not primarily associated with UMUC. The Investigation Committee may be advised by legal counsel during this process. If the alleged misconduct involves the performance of research or other scholarly work supported by an external sponsor, UMUC will also inform the sponsor, in writing, of the allegation and investigation procedure.
The Provost or designee will instruct the Investigation Committee to perform a thorough investigation to reach a firm conclusion about the validity of the allegation, or to be sure that further investigation could not alter an inconclusive result, within 30 calendar days of the appointment of the Investigation Committee. This investigation may require review of the materials obtained during the inquiry conducted by the Inquiry Committee; the collection and consideration of any other evidence relevant to the allegation; the holding of a fact-finding conference to interview individuals involved; and the seeking of an expert opinion from outside UMUC.
Witnesses may be requested to submit to questioning, either in person, via videolink, or in writing, by the Investigation Committee. The Investigation Committee will communicate with the person accused and complainant (if not anonymous) and give them the opportunity to present any relevant evidence. The person accused may submit questions in writing for the complainant regarding the report of scholarly misconduct.
If a fact-finding conference is held, the person accused and complainant will be entitled to participate. The person accused or complainant may be accompanied by a representative, who may be an attorney, at his or her own expense. Representatives may advise during the course of a fact-finding conference, but shall not personally participate. Parties who wish to be accompanied by an attorney must so inform the Provost or designee in writing at least five calendar days before the scheduled date of the meeting. Representatives may not appear in lieu of persons accused or complainants.
After the investigation is complete, the Investigation Committee will deliberate. The Investigation Committee will render a recommendation to the Provost, in writing, that will include the process by which the decision was made. If the Investigation Committee finds the allegation to be supported by clear and convincing evidence, the Investigation Committee will recommend an appropriate sanction to the Provost. If the Investigation Committee finds that the allegation was frivolous, mischievous or malicious, it may recommend an appropriate sanction against the complainant to the Provost. The Provost will review the recommendations and render a decision and a sanction. See Section V. Sanctions.