Document
Owner
Office of Academic Affairs
Effective Date
October 18, 2026
Last Reviewed
October 18, 2026
Next Review
October 2027
1. Purpose & Scope
Neponset University is committed to the highest standards of academic honesty. This policy applies to all learners, instructors, and staff in all courses, certificate programs, assessments, and academic activities, whether conducted online, asynchronously, or in any other format.
2. The Neponset Honor Pledge
Every learner enrolled at Neponset commits to the following pledge upon admission and at the start of each course:
“I will not give nor receive unauthorized assistance on any academic work. I will properly attribute the ideas and language of others. I understand that submitted work must be my own, and I accept responsibility for the integrity of everything I submit.”
3. Defined Violations
The following are violations of this policy:
Plagiarism. Submitting words, ideas, code, data, images, or media created by another person, system, or source without proper attribution. This includes content generated by artificial intelligence systems unless its use is expressly permitted by the instructor and properly disclosed.
Cheating. Using unauthorized materials, persons, devices, or AI systems during an assessment; sharing assessment content with other learners; or accessing assessment content outside the permitted window.
Fabrication. Inventing, falsifying, or misrepresenting data, citations, sources, or experimental results.
Facilitation. Helping another learner commit any of the violations above, including by sharing one’s own work for unauthorized use.
Multiple submission. Submitting the same or substantially similar work in more than one course without express written permission from all involved instructors.
Misrepresentation of identity. Having another person complete coursework or assessments on one’s behalf, or completing such work on behalf of another learner.
4. Permitted Use of Artificial Intelligence Tools
Neponset recognizes that generative AI tools are part of modern adult life and work. Each course syllabus shall specify whether and how AI tools may be used in that course. Where permitted, learners must:
Disclose AI use in a brief note appended to the submitted work, identifying the tool, the prompt or task, and the extent of use.
Verify the accuracy of any AI-generated content before submission.
Take responsibility for all submitted content as their own work.
Use of AI tools where prohibited, or use without required disclosure, constitutes a violation of this policy.
5. Reporting & Adjudication
Suspected violations are reported by instructors to the Office of Academic Affairs within ten (10) business days of discovery. The learner is notified in writing and given an opportunity to respond. The Office of Academic Affairs reviews the report, the learner’s response, and any supporting evidence, and renders a finding.
6. Sanctions
Sanctions for confirmed violations are calibrated to severity and prior history:
First minor violation: written warning and required completion of an academic integrity tutorial; assignment may be reduced or required to be re-submitted.
Second violation, or first major violation: failing grade for the assignment or the course.
Third violation, or first egregious violation (e.g., paid contract cheating, identity fraud): suspension or expulsion from Neponset University.
All sanctions are documented in the learner’s academic record.
7. Appeals
A learner may appeal any finding or sanction to the Provost within fifteen (15) business days of notification. Appeals are reviewed under the procedures set forth in the Grievance & Appeals Procedure.
8. Faculty & Staff Responsibilities
Instructors set clear expectations regarding academic integrity and permitted resources in each course syllabus, design assessments to minimize opportunities for misconduct, and report suspected violations promptly. Staff support these efforts and protect the confidentiality of all proceedings.