• Section 1 - Introduction
• Purpose and Parent Policy
• Responsibilities
• Student Responsibilities
• Staff Responsibilities
• Faculty Responsibilities
• Section 2 - Procedure
• Part A - Procedure for Investigation and Determination of Academic Impropriety in a Formal Examination
• Suspected Academic Impropriety: Initial Steps
• Investigation
• Student Response
• Continuing the Examination
• Report to the Programme Director and Registrar

Section 1 - Introduction

Purpose and Parent Policy

(1) This procedure sets out the steps to be taken in the event of suspected academic misconduct in a formal examination. The Academic Integrity and Good Practice Policy is the parent policy. 

Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

(2) Where academic misconduct is suspected in a formal examination, the student must cooperate with the investigation and provide any necessary evidence or supporting documentation.

Staff Responsibilities

(3) The Registrar is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this procedure. 

(4) During examinations, the Assessment and Awards Manager, or nominee, is responsible for the initiation of the procedure.

Faculty Responsibilities

(5) The Programme Director, or nominee, is responsible for the investigation of academic impropriety in the first instance. 

Section 2 - Procedure

Part A - Procedure for Investigation and Determination of Academic Impropriety in a Formal Examination

Suspected Academic Impropriety: Initial Steps

(6) If suspected, the matter is drawn, as soon as is practicable, to the attention of the Assessment and Awards Manager, or nominee.

(7) The Assessment and Awards Manager, or nominee records all steps of the investigation on a relevant form.

Investigation

(8) The student is escorted from the examination centre by the Assessment and Awards Manager (or nominee) and another member of Hibernia College Staff (acting as a witness) prior to the end of the period of examination 

(9) The student is informed that they are suspected of academic misconduct, given a brief summary of the grounds for the suspicion and are afforded the right of response. 

(10) The student is given the opportunity to surrender any materials cited as evidence of misconduct by the Assessment and Awards Manager. 

Student Response

(11) The student’s response is recorded.

Continuing the Examination

(12) Where possible, the student is permitted to complete the examination, unless:

1. To do so would disrupt the conduct of the examination
2. The student does not wish to continue the exam, notwithstanding the standard rules for the examination

(13) The student’s exam script is collected and corrected normally, pending a decision by the Programme Director 

Report to the Programme Director and Registrar

(14) The Assessment and Awards Manager forwards their report to the Programme Director and Registrar. The Programme Director will determine whether a disciplinary procedure should take place and whether it is necessary to escalate the matter to the Registrar. 

(15) Where the Programme Director deems the matter to be grave, it is escalated to the Registrar and a Discipline Committee may be convened in line with the central procedure in the Academic Misconduct Investigation in Coursework Procedure adapting what needs to be adapted to accommodate this procedure.