Policy 3.26.01

Part 1. Purpose

This procedure explains how the College handles suspected cases of academic dishonesty in credit-bearing courses.

Part 2. Standard of Evidence

In cases of alleged academic dishonesty, the College uses a “preponderance of evidence” standard, as defined in Part 2 of Minneapolis College Policy 3.26 Academic Honesty Policy.  

Part 3. Transparency, Reporting, and Records

Subpart A. Transparency and Right to Respond 

To ensure that students understand what constitutes academic dishonesty in a course and the academic consequences they may receive for violations, faculty should include their academic integrity policy in their syllabus. In cases in which an instructor will be applying an academic penalty in response to academic dishonesty, the instructor will notify students of suspected violations and allow them to respond.

Subpart B. Reporting

Any individual may report a case of suspected academic dishonesty by filing an Academic Honesty Report. Instructors are strongly encouraged to file an Academic Honesty Report for any academic dishonesty violation resulting in an academic penalty. Reports will be received by the Student Conduct Officer.

Subpart C. Records

Faculty keep academic records; the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities keeps records of academic dishonesty violations that are reported by the faculty.

Part 4. Appealing Academic Penalties

Subpart A. Appeal to Dean

Students may appeal the instructor’s decision to the dean using the College’s electronic academic dishonesty appeal form within two (2) weeks of when the faculty posts or otherwise communicates to the student the grade of the penalized assignment, quiz, or exam. Verbal appeals can be made to the Student Complaint and Conduct Officer, who will complete an appeal form on the student’s behalf using the information provided by the student.

A written notice of findings and conclusions shall be provided to the student within a reasonable time after the appeal is filed. 

Subpart B. Final Determination

Students may appeal the dean’s decision within five (5) business days, following instructions in the dean’s appeal outcome letter to the student. The decision-maker for this appeal will be either the Vice President of Academic Affairs or the Academic Honesty Committee, based on the preference of the instructor of the course in which the alleged academic honesty violation occurred.

A written notice of findings and conclusions shall be provided to the student within a reasonable time after the appeal is filed. The Vice President’s or Committee’s decision is final.

Subpart C. Student Development

The Student Complaint and Conduct Officer will review each report of an academic honesty violation submitted by a faculty member and determine if the student must take a noncredit course on academic honesty. Students who refuse to participate in a required meeting with the Student Complaint and Conduct Officer or complete a required academic integrity course may have a registration hold put on their record until they comply with these requirements.

In particularly severe cases of academic dishonesty, the College reserves the right to pursue institutional discipline (e.g., suspension or expulsion) using the Student Conduct Code of Conduct Procedure, College Procedure 4.06.01.

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, Academic Honesty; Minneapolis College Policy 3.27, Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning; Minneapolis College Procedure 4.06.01 Student Conduct Code of Conduct Procedure