2023-24 Student Handbook 

Part 3: Academic and Classroom Misconduct

1. The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity, and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct that violates the general rules and regulations of APSU.  Extended or permanent exclusion from the classroom, beyond the session in which the conduct occurred, or further corrective action can be affected only through appropriate procedures established by the Division of Student Affairs. Temporary removal or exclusion from the classroom by the instructor does not constitute a corrective suspension or expulsion.

2. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, the changing or falsifying of any academic documents or materials, cheating and giving or receiving of unauthorized aid in tests, examinations or other assigned work. Students responsible for academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are responsible to the instructor of the class. Sanctions for academic misconduct will vary with the seriousness of the offense and may include, but are not limited to, a grade of “F” on the work in question, a grade of “F” in the course, reprimand, probation, suspension and expulsion. The student will be advised of their rights. The student may accept the instructor’s finding, grade reduction, and/or other sanction and waive their right to a hearing. In the event a student believes they have been erroneously accused of academic misconduct, they may request a hearing. Hearings will be conducted pursuant to the procedures set forth in Part 5, Conduct Procedures, below. If the student is found responsible for the allegation(s) of academic misconduct, the grade as assigned by the instructor will stand. Should the hearing source find the student not responsible for the academic misconduct, the instructor will reassess the student’s grade based upon the hearing source’s findings. When necessary, grade changes will be made administratively.

3. Students may appeal a graded assignment associated with a finding of academic misconduct, as distinct from a student corrective action, through appropriate APSU academic grade appeal procedures. Courses may not be dropped pending the final resolution of an allegation of academic misconduct.

4. Disruptive behavior in the classroom (on ground or virtual) may be defined, but is not limited to, behavior that obstructs or interferes with the learning environment (e.g., repeated outbursts from a student which interferes with the flow of instruction or prevents concentration on the subject taught, failure to cooperate in maintaining classroom decorum, the presence of non-enrolled visitors in the classroom (including but not limited to minors), or the continued use of any noise or light- emitting device which disturbs or interrupts the concentration of others (e.g., disturbing noises from text messaging, cell phones, laptop computers, games, etc.).

5. Class attendance and punctuality requirements are established by the instructor through the syllabus for each course. Students are expected to attend class regularly and on time and are responsible for giving explanations/rationale for absences and lateness directly to the instructor or each course in which they are enrolled. In cases where student absences are the result of emergency circumstances (e.g., death in the family, a student's serious injury or incapacitating illness), for which student(s) are unable to make immediate contact with instructor, the student may contact the Student Affairs office for assistance in providing such immediate notification to instructor. However, the student remains responsible for verifying the emergency circumstances to instructor and for discussing arrangements with faculty for possible completion of coursework requirements, if feasible.