Melbourne Institute of Technology
Policy on Academic Integrity for Students
June, 2008
Revised October, 2009
Provider Number 01545C and 03245K
MIT Policy on Academic Integrity, October, 2009
Source
This policy was developed based on best practice in other higher education
institutions. The policy draws heavily on the model policy for the prevention and
detection of plagiarism available at
http://www.secretariat.unsw.edu.au/acboard/committee_chairs/Plagiarism%20Model
%20Policy.doc
Other sources include the University of Newcastle
http://www.newcastle.edu.au/service/academic-integrity/fraud-and-plagiarism.html
Definition
Academic integrity, honesty, and a respect for knowledge are fundamental values of MIT. These
principles form the bases of MIT’s activities in teaching, learning, and scholarly investigation.
Dishonest practices go against these values, degrading the quality of learning, both for the
individual and for others at MIT.
This policy is intended to reinforce the importance of integrity and honesty in an academic
environment.
Academic Dishonesty
MIT regards dishonesty in the preparation or presentation of any assessable work as misconduct,
and the Institute imposes penalties on students who are found to have acted in this way. There
are two major categories of academic dishonesty:
Academic Fraud
Academic fraud is making a false representation to gain an unjust advantage. This can include:

falsification of data;

using a substitute to undertake, in full or part, an examination or other assessment item;

reusing one's own work that has been submitted previously and counted towards another
course (without permission);

making contact with another person, contrary to instructions, during an examination or
other assessment item;

bringing material or device(s) into an examination or other assessment item other than
such as may be specified for that assessment item;

making use of computer software or other material and device(s) during an examination
or other assessment item other than such as may be specified for that assessment item.
MIT Policy on Academic Integrity, October, 2009
Plagiarism
Plagiarism: is the presentation of the thoughts or works of another as one's own. This may
include:

copying or paraphrasing material from any source without due acknowledgment;

using another's ideas without due acknowledgment;

working with others without permission and presenting the resulting work as though it
was completed independently.
Roles of Responsible Officers
The persons named below are all Responsible Officers in terms of this Policy.
1.
Lecturers/tutors, assessment supervisors and markers are usually the first to become
aware of possible acts of academic dishonesty. They are required to alert the Course
Coordinator to any suspected cases of student academic dishonesty.
2.
Course Coordinators must make a judgment as to whether the suspected activity is
possible misconduct. If it is judged to be possible misconduct, the Course Coordinator
determines if disciplinary procedures should be invoked, as described in the table below.
3.
The Course Coordinators also have the following responsibilities:
1.
Provide advice to students and staff on matters of student academic dishonesty;
2.
Ensure that academic staff are provided with appropriate training and induction
on student academic integrity;
3.
Consider, in accord with the procedures set down in the accompanying
Procedures for Dealing with Student Academic Dishonesty, reported instances of
academic dishonesty within the School, make determinations and apply penalties,
within the range of penalties available to the Student Academic Conduct Officer;
4.
If a penalty is imposed, record the student's name, offence and penalty and
inform the student;
5.
Refer more serious cases of academic dishonesty to the Program Director;
6.
Take responsibility for managing, any plagiarism detection system adopted by
MIT and monitor the extent and nature of students' plagiarism
MIT Policy on Academic Integrity, October, 2009
Actions and Penalties
If any form of academic dishonesty has occurred, one or more of the following actions may be
taken or penalties imposed:
Remedial Actions:
May be determined by:
(i)
counselling or training on proper academic conventions and
techniques;
any responsible party at
any point;
(ii)
attempt the assessment item again with no penalty
Course Coordinator
attempt the assessment item again with a capped mark (i.e.
maximum of Pass)
Course Coordinator
(iii)
Penalties:
May be determined
(imposed) by:
(vi)
award no marks for the assessment item;
Course Coordinator
(vii)
a grade of fail in the unit;
Course Coordinator
(viii)
(x)
exclusion from enrolment in a particular program and/or
course(s) permanently or for a lesser period;
such other penalty as is deemed appropriate.
Discipline Committee
Discipline Committee
Criteria for Determining Penalties
Penalties will be imposed, taking into account the following criteria:
(i) the nature and extent of the dishonesty;
(ii) the level of the student;
(iii) the student's knowledge of academic regulations;
(iv) the conventions of the academic discipline
Record of Student Academic Misconduct
All students penalised as a result of a case of student academic dishonesty will have their name,
the nature of the charge and the penalty recorded in the Registry of Academic Misconduct and the
student’s academic file. All students will be notified in writing.
MIT Policy on Academic Integrity, October, 2009
Appeals
A penalty imposed by the Course Coordinator may be appealed in writing by the student, to the
Program Director within 14 days of the decision.
A student who has a complaint about the process of the investigation should follow the student
grievance procedures.
Student Support
Course Coordinators and student counselors are available to advise students who have been
alleged to have breached the Policy on Academic Integrity.
MIT Policy on Academic Integrity, October, 2009