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Handbook of Operating Procedures

186 - Appendix A

HOOP Policy 186 - Appendix A - Unacceptable Student Conduct

Unacceptable conduct that would subject a student to disciplinary action includes, but is not limited to, the following: 

  • Academic Misconduct: In engaging in the educational process, students are expected to uphold the values of intellectual honesty and transparency in their scholarship and research. Academic Misconduct refers to any action or omission by a student that misrepresents (or attempts to misrepresent) a student’s or group’s work, knowledge, or achievement; provides a potential or actual unfair advantage; or otherwise compromises the integrity essential to scholarship or research. Academic Misconduct, includes (without limitation) cheating, plagiarism, collusion, submitting for credit any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person without giving sufficient credit, taking an exam for another person or having another person take an exam for the student, acting in a manner that would give unfair academic advantage to a student, or attempting to commit such acts. Students are expected to use AI tools ethically, in accordance with academic integrity standards and course-specific policies. Misuse of AI—such as submitting AI-generated content without attribution or in violation of course rules—may constitute academic misconduct subject to this policy. See also HOOP 235, Governance and Use of Artificial Intelligence.
    1. Cheating is the following or attempts to do the following:  
      • Copying from the test (or other assignment) of another student, engaging in written, oral, or any other means of communication with another student during a test, or giving aid to or seeking aid from another person during a test or on another assignment where doing so is prohibited by the instructor;
      • Possession or use during a test or assignment of materials which are not authorized by the person giving the test or assignment, such as class notes, calculators, electronic devices, books, or specifically designed “crib notes”;
      • Using, obtaining, or attempting to obtain by any means the whole or any part of a non-administered test, test key, homework solution, or computer program, or using a test that has been administered in prior classes or semesters, but which will be used again either in whole or in part, without permission of the instructor; or accessing a test bank without instructor permission;
      • Using artificial intelligence or a similar service to create content and pass on that content as if it was one’s own where use of such artificial intelligence for that purpose is prohibited;
      • Using artificial intelligence or a similar service to complete or assist in the completion of an assignment or test where use of such artificial intelligence for that purpose is prohibited;
      • Substituting for another person, impersonating others, or permitting another person to substitute for oneself to take a test or assignment; or
      • Falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other records or academic work offered for credit.
    2. Plagiarism is the appropriation of material that is attributable in whole or in part to another source, or the unauthorized use of one’s own previous work in another context (self-plagiarism), without any indication of the original source, including words, ideas, illustrations, structure, computer code, and other expression or media, and presenting that material as one’s own academic work being offered for credit or in conjunction with a program course or degree requirements.
    3. Collusion is the unauthorized collaboration with another person either directly or through online data repositories designed for this purpose in preparing academic assignments offered for credit or collaboration with another person to commit a violation of any provision of the rules on academic misconduct, including disclosing and/or distributing the contents of an exam or written paper.
    4. Misrepresenting facts, including utilizing AI or other means, to the University or an agent of the University for academic advantage. This includes, but is not limited, to providing false information on an application, providing false grades or résumés; providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment for the purpose of obtaining an academic or financial benefit for oneself or another individual; and providing false or misleading information in an effort to injure another member of the University community academically or financially.
  • Alcohol/Drugs:  A student may not engage in the illegal use, possession, or distribution of controlled substances, or in the possession of drug paraphernalia. The University affords amnesty to students under this provision who seek aid in a medical emergency. This amnesty extends to those who requested emergency medical assistance (or assisted/encouraged the individual who requested medical assistance) in response to the possible overdose of the student or another person, remained on the scene until the medical assistance arrived, and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel, if applicable. Amnesty may extend to more than one student involved in rendering aid. (also refer to HOOP 9, Alcoholic Beverages, HOOP 163, Fitness for Participation (Students) and HOOP 173 Substance Abuse).
  • Health and Safety: Endangering the physical health or safety of any person on or off university property, including while participating in any activities sponsored by the university or UT System, including, but not limited to, field trips, study abroad programs, inter- and/or intramural athletic activities, student organizations, and laboratory and other rotations or clinical assignments. 
  • Disruptions: A student may not, acting singly or in concert with others, obstruct, disrupt, or interfere with any teaching, educational, research, administrative, disciplinary, public service, or other activity or public performance authorized to be held or conducted on campus or on property or in a building or facility owned or controlled by the U.T. System or the University or while participating in any activities sponsored by the University or UT System, including, but not limited to, field trips, study abroad programs, inter- and/or intramural athletic activities, student organizations, and laboratory and other rotations or clinical assignments, whether on or off university property. Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, making false threats, any act that interrupts, modifies or damages University utility service or equipment; communication service or equipment; and computer hardware, programs, records or networks accessible through University resources.
  • Sexual Misconduct Investigations: Interfering with, obstructing, or refusing to participate in an investigation under HOOP 59, Prohibition of Sexual Harassment & Sexual Misconduct.
  • Inciting Lawless Action: A student may not engage in any expressive activity directed at inciting or producing imminent violation(s) of law under circumstances such that the expressive activity is likely to actually or imminently incite or produce violation(s) of law.
  • Unauthorized Use of Property: Engaging in the unauthorized possession and/or use of University property, equipment, supplies, buildings or facilities owned or controlled by UT system or the University.
  • Hazing: Refer to Appendix C.
  • Sexual Misconduct (refer to HOOP 59, Prohibition of Sexual Harassment & Sexual Misconduct).
  • Altering of Official Documents or False Information During Application: Altering or assisting in the altering of any official record of the University or UT System, or submitting false information or omitting information required for or related to application for admission, award of a degree, or any official record of UT System or the University. A former student who engages in such conduct is subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to bar against re-admission, revocation of degree, and withdrawal of diploma. This prohibition includes a student who participates or assists in the forging, altering, or duplicating of any parking permit, traffic ticket, or parking ticket issued by the University; any ticket for admission to a program or event sponsored by the university; any means of identification issued by the University; any instrument obligating the University to pay any sum of money; any key or access device which may be used for entering any building owned or controlled by the University; or participating in such actions with other persons.
  • Vandalism: Defacing, mutilating, or destroying any property, equipment, supplies, buildings, or facilities owned or controlled by the University or the U.T. System.
  • Use of Explosives, Weapons or Hazardous Chemicals: Possessing or using any type of explosive, firearm, imitation firearm, ammunition, hazardous chemical or weapon as defined by state or federal law while on campus or in any building or facility owned or controlled by UT System or the University, unless authorized by federal, state or local law. The university has a policy regarding concealed handguns on campus (HOOP 222, Concealed Handguns on Campus).  Any violation of that policy by a student will be handled according to the procedures in this policy unless that policy explicitly states otherwise.
  • Failure to Report to Assignment: Failing to report to an assigned training environment, without approval for an excused absence, including service as a Graduate Teaching Assistant or Graduate Research Assistant, where such service is an academic requirement
  • Theft: Committing theft, stealing, or taking unauthorized possession of any personal property of any community member or University property including but not limited to property within the buildings or facilities owned or controlled by the University or U.T. System.
  • Retaliation: Retaliating in any way against an individual who has brought a complaint under this policy or any other University policy or participated in an investigation or disciplinary process of such complaint (see HOOP 108, Protection from Retaliation).
  • Engaging in Gambling: Gambling on property, buildings, or facilities owned or controlled by the University or UT System.
  • Information Resources Systems Usage Violations: Students using University information resources or connecting to University information resources with a personal or non-University owned system will be held responsible for adhering to all University policies and procedures regarding information resource usage as well as state and federal rules and regulations. Information resource systems usage violations include, but are not limited to, unauthorized system/network activity and unauthorized distribution or altering of programs and/or data. See HOOP 180, Acceptable Use of University Information Resources.
  • Knowingly Submitting False Information: Knowingly providing false information to University officials or UT System.  This prohibition includes a student who knowingly files a false report related to another student’s alleged violation of this policy or knowingly provides false information during the course of a student conduct investigation or proceeding.
  • Failure to Comply: Knowingly failing to comply with any lawful, reasonable order or instruction of an official of the University or of the U.T. System in the course of that official’s duties.  
  • Failure to Identify: Students must identify themselves to a University official when requested to do. A student must provide identification by giving their name and complete address, substantiated by a current driver’s license, voter registration card, or other official documentation, and by stating truthfully whether they are a student or employee of the University. Failure to do so is a violation of this policy.
  • Violations of Local, State or Federal Law: Engaging in conduct that may violate any provision of federal, state or local laws, regardless of whether the violation occurs on University property or in connection with any University activity.