Students Charged with Dishonesty in Course Work

Although instructors have the responsibility for evaluating students’ academic performance, the Faculty has granted jurisdiction over matters of student dishonesty to the Administrative Boards. Therefore, any incidence of possible student dishonesty in course work should be reported at once to the Dean of Harvard College (through the Secretary of the Administrative Board of Harvard College) if an undergraduate is involved or to the Dean for Student Affairs of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the case of a graduate student. After a preliminary investigation, the Dean will decide whether to refer the matter to the appropriate Administrative Board.

Each case involving possible student dishonesty that goes to an Administrative Board will receive a careful hearing. Action taken by either Board can range from “scratch” (the Board decides that no disciplinary action is warranted) to requirement to withdraw or even a recommendation to the Faculty that the student be dismissed. In cases involving undergraduates who have misused source materials in the preparation of course work, the Administrative Board of Harvard College will often recommend and make available appropriate instruction on the proper use of sources and footnotes.

Students have a right to expect that grading will not be used as punishment for alleged academic dishonesty that has not been confirmed by the Administrative Board. Students may ask the Board, through their Resident Dean, to investigate and resolve informal allegations of academic dishonesty that have not been brought to the Board’s attention by a faculty member.