Ball State University's academic dishonesty policy is in the process of being revamped.
Bruce Hozeski, a faculty council member and University Senate chairman, said the policy was working, but it was healthy to look at every policy from time to time to find ways to improve.
David Fried, director of student rights and community standards, said a major area being addressed is the "cumbersome" process that both faculty and students follow after an accusation of academic dishonesty. Several steps are taken from the initial accusation to the resolution, he said.
He said the revisions would remove some unnecessary levels and combine others.
Susan Clark, chairwoman of the task force for student academic ethics policy, said the policy allowed a maximum of 15 days between each step. At that rate any issue can take more than two months to be resolved, she said.
Marilyn Buck, associate provost and dean of University College, said in addition to the tedious, drawn out conflict, the system did not document incidents well enough. She said the first step involved a faculty member accusing a student of academic dishonesty, which was an informal meeting between the two.
The revised policy will make the first meeting more formal but still be able to resolve the issue, Buck said. The student and faculty member will sign a document agreeing that an act of dishonesty was committed and to a suitable punishment, she said.
The signed agreement will be sent to Buck, she said, who will record the incident for future reference.
"The main thing is to clarify procedures," Buck said. "The new policy is more likely to catch repeat offenders."
Hozeski said the revisions were not meant to be more or less strict. The new provisions are meant to cover all bases and protect the rights of both sides of the conflict, he said.
Student Government Association President Betsy Mills said the policy changes benefited the students. She said it gave students a chance to resolve the issue without going in front of the University Academic Ethics Committee, which might not be as lenient.
"It protects the students," she said, "but it also holds them accountable."
Clark said other policy revisions included editing terminology and moving some sections to improve continuity. The goal of these changes is to make the policy more concise and easy to read, she said.
Fried said the changes wouldn't have an effect on the number of incidents reported because most issues would be resolved after the initial meeting.
Hozeski said if the revisions were approved by the council they would be sent to the Senate.
If it passes Senate, President Jo Ann Gora would decide whether to immediately implement the policy or send it to the Board of Trustees for final approval.
Buck said the earliest the new policy could be implemented was Fall Semester.
The Faculty Council meets Thursday to discuss the policy revisions.
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