St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Davenport Iowa 52803 admit

Graduate Information
from another’s paper during an examination. As
a possible penalty, the student may be required to
retake the examination.
“Aggravated cheating” refers to the use of
“crib” notes or extensive copying from another’s
paper. As a possible penalty the student may
receive an F on the examination or receive a WF
or F for the entire course.
“Organized cheating” refers to the use of a
stolen examination and to any attempt to change
a grade by dishonest means, such as changing
scores in an instructor’s grade book. As a possible
penalty the student may be suspended from
the university for one semester, and serious cases
may result in expulsion from the university.
Little distinction is made between the student
who is actually guilty of academic dishonesty and
anyone who aids the student by such action as
providing a copy of a stolen examination, or by
writing a paper for another student.
An instructor and the university can change a
student’s grade at any time, even after a course
has been completed if the student has committed
an act of academic dishonesty.
The following process will be used to investigate
acts of cheating or plagiarism and to implement
the suggested penalties:
1. An investigation may be initiated by a professor
or a student or parties who have reason to
believe an offense has taken place. Students or
others need only notify the professor, the
department chair, the appropriate college
dean, or dean of students, either verbally or in
writing, that they think a violation has taken
place. Names of those supplying information
will be held in confidence by the university.
2. The professor may pursue the matter either
informally or formally. The professor may
confront the student with the charge informally
and suggest a sanction that the professor
feels is appropriate. The student may either
accept the sanction or may request a formal
hearing before the SAU Judicial Board.*
3. The professor or the student may pursue the
investigation formally through the office of the
dean of students and the Judicial Board. This
method is suggested for those charged with
organized cheating or aggravated plagiarism,
for example, those who may have supplied a
paper or sections of a paper to another student
and who may or may not be enrolled in
the class in question.
4. The dean of students will give written notice
to the individual(s) involved within 24 hours
of the complaint, and the student will be given
48 hours to prepare a defense. The Judicial
Board will determine guilt or innocence in
each case. In those cases where the student is
guilty, the Judicial Board will apply a penalty
taken from these guidelines, taking into consideration
the recommendation of the professor.
The ruling of the Judicial Board may be
appealed to the provost, whose ruling will be
final and binding.
*The Board is made up of three professors (the
three elected members of the Faculty Grievance
Committee, with ex-officio members serving as
alternates), and three students elected by the
Student Government Association.
Graduate Commencement Policy
Graduate students can participate in commencement
upon certification by a graduate program
director. Each program will develop its own policy
regarding whom may participate in commencement,
and upon approval by the
Educational Policies committee, publish it in the
program’s handbook.
Student Government
All registered graduate students are eligible to
serve in the Graduate Senate. The Graduate
Senate elects its officers and meets monthly, representing
student concerns, planning student activities
and providing certain services to the graduate
students not otherwise provided by the
University administration and staff.
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