Policy 3.26

Part 1. Purpose

Student learning is the main goal of an educational institution, and grades are used to show how much a student has learned. Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty can have a negative effect on learning and can result in grades that don’t accurately reflect what the student knows and can do.

The purpose of this Academic Honesty Policy and related Procedure is to ensure that students complete their own work so they can meet the learning goals of a class and that the grades and course credit they receive accurately reflect their own knowledge and skills. This policy and related procedure define what constitutes academic dishonesty at Minneapolis College and explains how the College will respond to suspected academic honesty violations in credit-bearing courses.

Part 2. Definitions

The following definitions apply to this policy and its supporting procedure: 

Academic Honesty Committee. A committee of three faculty and one student convened by the Vice President of Academic Affairs in cases when a student wishes to challenge the appeal decision of a dean, and the instructor of the course elects for a committee to review the decision. The student representative’s role will be to provide a student perspective on the case, but the student will not be a voting member of the committee. Such student representation on the committee will be dependent on the availability of the designated student representative to attend committee meetings.

Preponderance of Evidence: A standard of responsibility that it is more likely than not that the code has been violated.

Student: A “student” is anyone who:

• Is taking at least one credit‑bearing course; or
• Withdrew, transferred, or graduated after an alleged violation but before a decision is made; or
• Took a course within the last calendar year or is registered for a course in the next term (traditional or non-traditional terms).

Part 3. Types of Academic Dishonesty 

While academic misconduct is commonly understood as “cheating,” the concept extends to a wider range of behaviors, including, but not limited to, the following:

Cheating. Using materials, tools, resources, information, or assistance without permission when completing academic work, including when that use is not allowed by college policy, the course syllabus, the assignment instructions, or the instructor; copying from or allowing copying by others; using prohibited devices. 

Examples include but are not limited to using notes or a phone during an exam when not permitted; copying homework; or getting help on work meant to be done alone. 

Plagiarism. Submitting work with ideas, images or wording from others without citation, including use of artificial intelligence (AI) for coursework in ways outside of what is permitted in the course policy and/or assignment instructions. 

Examples include but are not limited to copying from a website, journal, or any other source without citing it; submitting work created by artificial intelligence in whole or in part without citing it; turning in an assignment completed by someone else. 

Falsification/Misrepresentation. Misrepresenting facts to gain academic benefit, including altered work or false documentation. 

Examples include but are not limited to changing graded answers; lying about late work; submitting false citations. 

Collusion. Working with others when collaboration is not permitted or exceeds allowed limits, including submitting academic work completed wholly or in part by a third party, whether paid or unpaid. 

Examples include but are not limited to making up survey data; citing fake articles; submitting work you did not complete; paying an individual or company, and/or using free tutoring services to complete an assignment and submitting that work as your own without disclosure or permission. 

Misuse of Academic Materials. Obtaining, sharing, or altering exams, assignments, or academic systems without permission. 

Examples include but are not limited to sharing exam questions; accessing locked test files; altering course materials; or posting quizzes, exams or assignments online without instructor permission.

Multiple Submissions. Submitting the same work for multiple courses without instructor permission. 

Turning in the same paper for two classes; reusing a prior assignment without instructor approval.

Part 4. Responsibilities

Subpart A. Students

Students are responsible for:

• Doing their work honestly, in accordance with this policy and the rules set by the course instructor. 
• Knowing the rules regarding academic honesty at the college by reading this policy and in each course by reading the syllabus and assignment instructions.
• Complying with College Policy 3.27, The Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Teaching and Learning, Part 4. Use of AI by Students.
• Asking questions when unsure about rules, policies and instructions.
• Citing their sources, including the use of artificial intelligence, and
• Following all steps in this process, including meeting with staff and completing an academic honesty course if assigned.

Subpart B. Instructors

Instructors are responsible for:

• Clearly explaining their academic honesty policy in their syllabus.
• Applying this policy consistently across students and basing determinations on available evidence in alignment with institutional standards. 
• Keeping records of suspected dishonesty for use in student appeals
• Communicating with students about concerns
• Assigning academic penalties when needed
• Responding to questions from dean, Academic Honesty Committee or Vice President of Academic Affairs in cases of student appeals

Subpart C. Accessibility Resource Center

The Accessibility Resource Center is responsible for notifying the instructor of a course if they determine that an academic honesty violation has occurred during an assignment, quiz or exam the Center is proctoring on behalf of the instructor. 

Subpart D. Academic Dean

The dean reviews the evidence and decides the outcome when a student appeals an instructor’s decision.

Subpart E. Vice President of Academic Affairs or Academic Honesty Committee.

The Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Academic Honesty Committee reviews evidence and decides appeals of the dean’s decision. 

Subpart F. Student Conduct Officer

The Student Conduct Officer:

• Keeps records of cases,
• Meets with students to assign an academic honesty course when necessary,
• Confirms that students complete the course, and
• Places registration holds when students do not complete requirements.

Part 5. Jurisdiction

Anyone at the College may report suspected academic dishonesty. If the Accessibility Resource Center proctors an exam and suspects academic dishonesty occurred, it will share the evidence with the instructor. Faculty decide whether an academic honesty violation occurred using a preponderance of evidence standard and assign academic penalties and/or require the student to complete a non-credit academic dishonesty course in accordance with their syllabus. 

Students may appeal the instructor’s decision to the dean. If student appeals the dean’s decision, the appeal will be decided by either the Academic Honesty Committee or the Vice President of Academic Affairs, based on the instructor’s preference. Some academic programs may impose additional academic penalties. These program-specific academic integrity policies must be included in the program’s student handbook.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Date of Adoption: 6/3/2026

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: Adopted 6/3/2026

History and Subject of Revisions: Adopted 6/3/2026

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law): Minnesota State System Procedure 3.6.1, Student Conduct; Minneapolis College Policy 3.26.01, Academic Honesty Procedure; Minneapolis College Policy 3.27, Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning; Minneapolis College Procedure 4.06.01 Student Conduct Code of Conduct Procedure