The University of Minnesota (University) expects academic integrity from its employees at all times and in all circumstances. University employees may not engage in actions that constitute academic misconduct in research or other scholarly activity. University employees and other individuals who are involved in research, scholarly, and artistic activities under the aegis of the University must adhere to Board of Regents' policy: Academic Misconduct and must cooperate with the assessment and review of any allegation.
If an allegation of academic misconduct is made, the Research Integrity Officer for the University will coordinate the review in the following stages pursuant to federal regulations:
- an allegation assessment to determine if the policy applies and if the allegation is sufficiently specific to warrant review;
- if appropriate, an inquiry to determine whether the allegation or related issues warrant further investigation;
- when warranted, an investigation to thoroughly examine evidence; and
- a finding and appropriate personnel action. If the investigation results in a finding of misconduct and a personnel action against the respondent, the respondent may request a formal hearing by following other University employment policies and procedures, as applicable.
Retaliation:
No one shall retaliate against individuals who acted in good faith in reporting or providing information about suspected or alleged misconduct. When a complaint has been brought in good faith, even if mistakenly, the University will provide appropriate support to the reporting employee. Individuals who provide information to assist in resolving of a complaint are also protected. Individuals engaging in acts of retaliation are disciplined according to the appropriate University policies or applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Exclusions
Scholastic dishonesty by a student in the performance of academic work is a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Complaints of alleged scholastic dishonesty are resolved in accordance with established collegiate and Student Conduct Code policies and procedures. However, in cases where a student is accused of misconduct while working on sponsored University research, the initial question of whether academic misconduct occurred will be determined according to this policy and the sponsor's regulations.
Notification and Reporting Requirements
Many sponsors, including the National Science Foundation (45 CFR 689) and the Public Health Service (42 CFR 50) have published regulations regarding the inquiry and investigation of allegations of misconduct involving activities they are considering for funding or have already funded. These regulations contain requirements to report to these sponsors under certain conditions and at specified stages in the process. The Deciding Officer for the University prepares and submits any required notifications or reports. In addition, for Public Health Service proposals and awards, the University will also work with the Office of Research Integrity to assure compliance. If there is a reasonable indication of possible criminal violations, the Deciding Officer notifies the appropriate office of the sponsoring agency, and the appropriate law enforcement officials.
Interim Administrative Action
As provided by federal regulations (42 CFR, part 50, subpart A and 45 CFR, part 689), at any stage in the process of inquiry, investigation, formal finding, and disposition, the University may take interim administrative action to protect federal funds.
Confidentiality
Academic misconduct cases are confidential proceedings and information about
them is released only to those individuals with a need to know in order to perform
their job duties. Disclosure about the status and outcome of the case is made
in accordance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
To implement the Board of Regents policy on Academic Misconduct and to comply with federal regulations on research misconduct.
There are no forms for this policy.
- Academic Misconduct
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The fabrication or falsification of data, research procedures, or data analysis; destruction of data for fraudulent purposes; plagiarism; abuse of confidentiality; or other fraudulent actions in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting the results of research or other scholarly activity. It is particularly important to distinguish academic misconduct from honest error and the ambiguities of interpretation that are inherent in the scientific and scholarly process, but are normally corrected by further research.
- Allegation
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A disclosure of possible academic misconduct through any means of communication. The disclosure may be by written or oral statement or other communication to an institutional official or through the University's misconduct reporting hotline.
- Allegation Assessment
- The step in the process where the allegation is assessed to determine whether the policy applies and if it is sufficiently credible and specific to warrant review.
-
Complainant
- The individual or individuals who in good faith report or provide information about suspected or alleged misconduct.
- Deciding Officer
- The institutional officer (the Vice President for Research unless there is a conflict of interest) who makes the final determinations in the case and acts as the contact with any sponsors.
- Fabrication
- Making up data or results and recording or reporting them.
- Falsification
- Manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.
- Inquiry
- The step in the process to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant an investigation.
- Investigation
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The step in the process to analyze all relevant information regarding the allegation and then determine whether sufficient evidence exists to find that academic misconduct occurred.
- Plagiarism
- Appropriation of another person's ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit.
- Research Integrity Officer (RIO)
- The institutional official, usually the Associate Vice President for Research, with primary responsibility for directing the case from allegation review through disposition of the case.
- Respondent.
- The individual or individuals against whom the report or complaint has been submitted.
- Retaliation.
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Any damaging action against a person based on the individual's role in reporting or providing information about suspected or alleged misconduct. Individuals alleged to have retaliated against others involved in an academic misconduct case shall be subject to the appropriate disciplinary actions according to the policies or applicable collective bargaining agreements for the respective University employee groups.
- Sponsor.
- Any external entity, including, but not limited to, a company, agencies of the U.S. federal and state governments, foundations, industry associations, and others, that supports the scholarly work upon which the allegation is based.
- Attorney, Office of the General Counsel
- Provides advice in the appropriate protocol and practices.
- Complainant
- File good faith complaint or report of academic misconduct.
- Deciding Officer (DO)
- Accept/approve allegation assessment and inquiry reports. Prepare and submit notifications and reports to sponsors. Make final determinations on allegations of misconduct and administrative actions.
- Faculty Senate Research Committee
- Advise the RIO on potential members of the panel. When requested, advise the DO on the appropriate disciplinary actions when misconduct has been found.
- Inquiry/Investigative Panel
- Evaluate the evidence, formulate conclusions, and prepare reports of inquiry or investigation.
- Research Integrity Officer (RIO)
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Assess allegations. Initiate and oversee inquiries and investigations. Notify respondent. Sequester physical evidence. Keep DO and others with a need to know apprised of progress of case. Write assessment report and file inquiry and investigation reports. Secure records.
There is no FAQ for this policy.
- Amended:
- January 2008 - Added the ability to allow anonymous reports and to include an initial screening process for reviewing allegations. Added an appendix about securing physical evidence, an area of concern for federal regulators. Other changes were made to make the process more streamlined and efficient. New roles for Deciding Officer (DO) and Research Integrity Officer (RIO) amd Faculty Research Committee. Previously the VPR acted as the deciding officer and a Senior Administrator (SA), usually a dean, conducted the inquiry personally and/or coordinated the panel reviews. This process was time-consuming for most deans. Renaming the DO position is consistent with federal regulations and allows for another University official to act in this role if the VPR has a conflict of interest. Shifting the SA responsibilities from deans to the RIO or Associate Vice President for Research is intended to improve timeliness and accountability for the process.
- Effective:
- September 1995
- Supercedes:
- Administrative Procedures for the Board of Regents Policy: Academic Misconduct
-
To obtain a copy of a historical policy,
e-mail the U Policy Librarian at policy@umn.edu or call 612-624-4372.
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