Student Conduct

Academic Integrity Policy

Integrity in academics is a fundamental principle at Heartland Community College (HCC) and the world in which we live; therefore, is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. It is important that all credit and recognition earned at this institution reflect the honest work of each individual. Academic integrity protects the value of your educational achievement at Heartland Community College. Integrity, respect, and honest achievement are necessary principles for an educated person, and the College is committed to helping students achieve these ideals through development and growth. The College therefore views any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense against the HCC community, which includes all students and staff.

Heartland Honor Code:

In the continuous pursuit of excellence, the HCC community is dedicated to the principles of integrity, respect, and honest achievement. As a member of this community, we each have the responsibility to uphold these ideals with the expectation they be upheld by others.

Student Validation of Work:

The signing of a student’s name, whether manual or electronic, will declare that the product being signed is the student’s own work completed according to instructor guidelines and rules.

Academic Integrity Is Promoted When Students:

Focus on the process of learning. Mastering the material and the process of learning are more important than having a “grade-only” or a “succeed at whatever cost” mentality. This mentality can lead to short term gains with long term consequences.

Employ good time management and study skill techniques. Poor time management, trying to take on too much in one semester, and ineffective study skills often lead to lack of preparation and an inability to meet deadlines. Acts of academic dishonesty are often desperate attempts to cover-up for lack of time and preparation.

Seek help. Free services are available. If you are overwhelmed by course content, meet with the faculty member to discuss your concerns. Heartland also provides free tutoring and help with papers at Tutoring Services. Students can get help with time management and study skills at Success Connections. 

Familiarize themselves with the policies. Policies established by each faculty member are most often found in the course syllabus; the College policies are found in the HCC Catalog and Student Handbook.

Communicate upfront. Collaborate only when it is permitted by that faculty member, and maintain the HCC Academic Integrity standards if academic dishonesty is suggested. Let study partners know where you stand on issues of academic integrity.

Withdraw from the course. If you are doing poorly in a course or if a crisis has caused you to fall too far behind, first consider talking to your instructor or a tutor. Also, consult with your academic advisor about the withdrawal date and to discuss your questions and concerns. Don’t ever consider academic dishonesty as an option to try to achieve your goals.

Re-examine goals. HCC offers free career counseling through Enrollment Services to help you determine the best use of your interests and abilities. Know that family and friends may try to influence you, but the choice of your future is ultimately up to you.

Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, the following:

Misrepresentation of Data:

• Fabricating data or deliberately presenting in an assignment data that was not obtained in accordance with assigned guidelines;
• Providing an inaccurate account of the method used in collecting/gathering data.

Falsification of Academic Records or Documents:

• Altering without proper authorization any documents affecting academic records;
• Forging signatures of authorization on any documents affecting academic records;
• Falsifying information on an official academic document such as a grade report, ID card, letter of permission, a document meant to exempt a student from an academic requirement, or any other document pertaining to academic requirements.

Cheating:

• Any unauthorized use of notes, study aids, technology platforms, or information from class work or examination from another student;
• Obtaining test information without permission from the instructor prior to taking that exam;
• Altering graded work and then resubmitting it for a grade;
• Altering or destroying grade records;
• Allowing another person to take an exam in one’s place;
• Submitting identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course without obtaining prior permission from the course instructors involved.

Aiding Cheating or Other Acts of Academic Dishonesty:

• Providing material or information with the knowledge that it will be used improperly;
• Any actions that intentionally form an unfair advantage over fellow students’ work;
• Postponing the taking of an exam by reporting an untrue circumstance (illness, emergency, etc.);
• Developing relationships with college personnel to obtain information or an advantage not provided to all students.
• Falsifying information that would be used to acquire privileges such as obtaining an incomplete for a course.

Plagiarism:

• Presenting as one’s own any work, ideas, theories, insights, or other information that are the intellectual property of another and are not considered to be common knowledge;
• Representation of works done by another person without customary and proper acknowledgement of that authorship or collaboration;

To learn more about the definition and scope of plagiarism, please see your instructor or a Heartland librarian. Unfamiliarity of this term will not excuse a student from the penalties of such conduct.

Unauthorized Access to Computerized Academic or Administrative Records or Systems:

• Viewing or altering the College’s computer records without authorization;
• Copying or modifying the College’s computer programs or systems without authorization;
• Releasing or dispensing information gained through unauthorized access;
• Interfering with the use or availability of computer systems or information;
• Using College computing resources to illegally obtain or distribute copyrighted material;
• At locations where College-sponsored activities are held, the unauthorized use, viewing, copying, or altering of other institutions’ computer records, systems, or programs is in violation of academic integrity.

Students who violate the Academic Integrity Policy may be subject to disciplinary sanctions, up to and including suspension or expulsion from the College, and grade adjustments based on the student's failure to complete the assignment in accordance with the College's academic expectations.

Dismissal Policy

Students who violate the Code of Student Conduct may be dismissed from the College by either suspension or expulsion and may be subject to the following:

• Students suspended or expelled from the College for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct will be administratively withdrawn from all courses. An administrative withdrawal will supersede any student-initiated withdrawals.
• Suspended or expelled students will receive a grade of AW or AF in all courses taken during the semester in which the withdrawal occurs. Grades will be determined as a part of the sanctioning process.
• A grade of AW means the student has been administratively withdrawn from all courses for violating the Code of Student Conduct. This grade is not figured into the student’s GPA.  College refund policies apply.
• A grade of AF means the student has been administratively removed from a course or courses for violating the Code of Student Conduct. This grade will be figured into the student’s GPA as a failing grade of “F”.  No refund of tuition or fees will be permitted.

A student who issued a a suspension or expulsion due to a violation of the College's Code of Student Conduct may request a hearing before the Student Conduct Board. More information regarding dismissals and the Student Conduct Board can be found in Section 5 of the Code of Student Conduct. 

Re-admittance Policy

Students suspended from the College for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct may be permitted to return to the College at a date pre-determined at the time of suspension. However, before the student will be allowed to return, they will be required to provide evidence demonstrating steps have been taken to rehabilitate the offending behaviors, and that they are able to participate in the campus community without further incident. It is possible that a conditional return may be granted which could limit a student’s use of some services and/or participation in College-sponsored or College-related events.