Academic Honesty & Discipline: Keeping Your Academic Record Clean

Posted by: Dr Singh
Category: Academic Integrity
Read Time: 10 minutes

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Introduction

A single moment of dishonesty can define your entire university career. Whether it's sneaking a look at someone's exam paper or keeping a phone during an exam, academic misconduct has serious consequences that can follow you for years. This guide explains what constitutes academic dishonesty, why it matters, and how to protect your academic record.

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What Counts as Academic Misconduct?

Using Unfair Means (Cheating)

Unfair means include:

During exams:

• Copying from someone else's paper
• Using unauthorized materials or notes
• Consulting another student during exam
• Looking at someone else's answers
• Using mobile phone, Bluetooth, or smartwatch
• Communicating with other students during exam
• Keeping cheat sheets or copying materials

Before/during practical exams:

• Using unauthorized reference materials
• Consulting lab manuals you weren't supposed to use
• Asking for answers from other students
• Pre-planning answers with others

In assignments:

• Submitting someone else's work as your own
• Copying from websites without attribution
• Plagiarizing research papers
• Submitting identical work as another student

In practical work:

• Falsifying experimental data
• Copying another student's results
• Not doing actual lab work but claiming you did
• Misrepresenting practical findings

Impersonation

This is extremely serious:

• Taking an exam for another student
• Someone else taking an exam for you
• Submitting assignments under someone else's name
• Pretending to be another person during admission/entrance test

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Consequences of Using Unfair Means

Severity Depends on When It Happens

In Short Tests or Mid-Semester Exams

If caught using unfair means:

1. Debarred from college/university for the remainder of the semester
2. Failed in ALL courses taken during that semester
3. Cannot attend any other exams
4. Name reported to Dean and academic records

Impact:

• Entire semester affected
• OCPA severely damaged
• Must repeat all courses from that semester
• Financial cost of repeating semester

In Final/End-of-Semester Exams

If caught using unfair means:

1. Failed in ALL courses registered for that semester
2. Placed on conduct probation for 2 subsequent semesters
3. Restricted from college/university activities
4. Cannot represent college in sports/events
5. Cannot hold positions in student organizations

If it's your SECOND offense:

• Still failed in all courses
• Debarred from the next semester (cannot register)
• Additional disciplinary action may follow

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Impersonation: A Separate Serious Offense

During Regular Exams

If you take an exam for another student:

1. You're deemed failed in all courses that semester
2. Debarred from registration for next semester
3. Conduct probation for 2 subsequent semesters
4. Disciplinary committee decides additional penalties

If someone takes an exam for you:

1. You're deemed failed in all courses that semester
2. Debarred from registration for next semester
3. Conduct probation for 2 subsequent semesters
4. Same penalties as impersonator

During Entrance Test/Admission

If impersonation is detected at entrance test:

• Immediate disqualification from entrance test
• Cannot sit for any remaining exam sessions
• Cannot seek admission to any PAU programme

If impersonation is discovered AFTER admission:

• Admission is cancelled immediately
• Debarred from seeking admission to PAU for 2 academic years
• Case may be reported to police
• Any credentials earned are invalidated

If Impersonator is NOT a PAU Student

• Case is registered with local police
• Criminal charges may be filed
• University cooperation with law enforcement

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How Misconduct is Detected & Reported

Who Reports Misconduct?

Invigilator/Supervisor/Instructor:

• Observes suspicious behavior during exam
• Asks student questions about answer
• Checks for unauthorized materials
• Makes detailed report

Center Superintendent/Head of Department:

• Reviews exam protocols
• Investigates reports
• Gathers evidence
• Initiates disciplinary process

The Investigation Process

Step 1: Report Submission

• Invigilator reports to Dean within 2 working days
• Includes full details and evidence
• Student's explanation recorded if given

Step 2: Dean's Investigation

• Dean reviews all evidence
• May interview student
• Collects statements from witnesses
• Documents findings

Step 3: Decision & Notification

• Dean decides appropriate penalty
• Student notified of decision
• Penalty details communicated
• Record maintained in student file

Step 4: Appeal Process

• Aggrieved student can appeal within 2 weeks
• Appeal submitted to Vice Chancellor
• Vice Chancellor's decision is final
• No further appeals possible

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Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Plagiarism

What it is:

• Using someone else's words without quotation marks
• Copying ideas without giving credit
• Submitting papers written by others
• Using online sources without citation

How it's detected:

• Instructors use plagiarism detection software
• Faculty recognize plagiarized passages
• Different writing styles are obvious
• Online sources are traced

Consequences:

• Zero marks for assignment
• Fail in course (depending on severity)
• Academic integrity violation on record
• May be treated as academic misconduct

Fabrication of Data

What it is (for research/practicals):

• Making up experimental results
• Inventing data that wasn't collected
• Reporting false measurements or observations
• Falsifying lab records

Why it's serious:

• Undermines scientific integrity
• Can affect others' research based on false data
• Violates research ethics
• Can result in paper retraction

Consequences:

• Fail in practical or research course
• Academic integrity violation
• May affect degree completion
• For graduate students: thesis rejection

Collusion

What it is:

• Working with others on assignment when told to work individually
• Sharing answers before submitting
• Copying from group project without contribution
• Having someone else do your work

How it differs from collaboration:

• Collaboration (allowed): Working together when permitted
• Collusion (not allowed): Working together when forbidden

Consequences:

• All involved parties receive same penalty
• Can result in course failure
• Academic integrity violation

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Ragging: A Separate Disciplinary Issue

What is Ragging?

According to UGC Anti-Ragging Regulations, ragging includes:

Physical ragging:

• Hitting, kicking, or violent actions
• Forcing physical exercises
• Any physical contact as punishment

Psychological ragging:

• Name-calling or taunting
• Humiliation or embarrassment
• Threatening behavior
• Exclusion or isolation

Sexual ragging:

• Sexual comments or jokes
• Unwanted touching
• Sexual coercion
• Creating sexually hostile environment

Other forms:

• Forced participation in activities
• Extortion of money
• Destruction of personal property
• Illegal activities under coercion

PAU's Zero-Tolerance Policy

Ragging is COMPLETELY BANNED on PAU campus.

Punishments for Ragging

Depending on severity:

• Warning and fine
• Suspension from college (1 month or more)
• Rustication (1-4 semesters)
• Expulsion from university
• Fine up to Rs. 25,000
• Imprisonment up to 2 years
• Collective punishment (if perpetrators not identified)

If You're Being Ragged

Report immediately to:

1. Hostel Warden or Hall Warden
2. Director of Students' Welfare
3. Dean of your college
4. Police (if severe)

Your complaint:

• Taken seriously
• Investigation conducted
• Perpetrators identified and punished
• Your identity protected

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Conduct Probation Explained

What is Conduct Probation?

If you commit academic or behavioral violations, you may be placed on conduct probation.

Types of Conduct Probation

Academic conduct probation:

• Restricted from college/university activities
• Cannot represent college in sports/events
• Cannot hold positions in student organizations
• Can attend classes and exams
• Can continue studies

Conduct probation with hostel debarment:

• Cannot stay in hostel
• Must arrange off-campus accommodation
• All other restrictions apply

Duration

Typically 1-2 semesters depending on offense

What You Cannot Do While on Probation

• Represent college in sports competitions
• Represent college in cultural events
• Hold positions in student organizations (president, secretary, etc.)
• Participate in debates/competitions on behalf of college
• Attend official college functions

Getting Off Probation

You're automatically off probation after specified period if:

• No further violations occur
• Dean approves your status restoration
• You complete required period

Three-Strike Policy

If you commit THREE violations while on probation:

• You can be dropped from university
• Removed from all college/university rolls
• Degree cannot be awarded
• You lose student status

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Maintaining Discipline

General Rules of Conduct

You are expected to:

• Maintain discipline and proper academic atmosphere
• Show respect to faculty and staff
• Behave professionally
• Dress appropriately on campus
• Avoid using offensive language
• Treat others with courtesy

Acts of Indiscipline

Serious violations include:

• Taking out processions or demonstrations
• Holding protests in residential areas
• Threatening university officers
• Interfering with university functioning
• Defacing buildings (writing slogans, graffiti)
• Disturbing classes in session
• Assaulting teachers or students
• Antisocial behavior (theft, vandalism, etc.)

Consequences of Indiscipline

Penalties range from:

• Warning to fine
• Conduct probation
• Suspension from classes
• Rustication (1-4 semesters)
• Expulsion from university

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Rustication and Expulsion

Rustication

What it is: Temporary removal from university

Duration:

• Minimum: 1 semester
• Maximum: 4 semesters

During rustication:

• Cannot attend classes
• Cannot take exams
• Not a student of university
• No fees charged (and nothing owed)
• Name not on college rolls

After rustication:

• Can re-join during next semester
• College must re-admit you
• Continue your studies
• Complete remaining semesters

Process:

1. Dean passes rustication order
2. Notified to Registrar
3. 15-day period for Dean to reconsider
4. After 15 days, notification sent to all relevant authorities
5. Other universities informed

Expulsion

What it is: Permanent removal from university

After expulsion:

• Cannot seek admission to PAU for 2 years
• Cannot seek admission to other universities during embargo period
• Academic Council must approve any future admission
• Treated as serious disciplinary action

Process similar to rustication but permanent

Appeal Process

If you're rusticated or expelled:

• You can petition Vice Chancellor within prescribed time
• Vice Chancellor may review the order
• Academic Council may be consulted
• Decision can be revised or upheld
• Vice Chancellor's decision is final

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Your Rights in Disciplinary Proceedings

You have the right to:

• Know charges against you
• Present your defense
• Provide evidence
• Call witnesses
• Hear the decision

You should:

• Respond immediately to notices
• Provide complete information
• Be honest about your actions
• Request written reasons for decisions
• Understand appeal procedures

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Preventing Misconduct: Study Tips

How to Succeed Without Cheating

Before the exam:

1. Start studying early (don't cram)
2. Form study groups with classmates
3. Ask instructors to clarify difficult concepts
4. Attend all review sessions
5. Practice old exam questions
6. Get adequate sleep before exam

During the exam:

1. Read questions carefully
2. Manage your time
3. Write what you know
4. Don't compare with others
5. Ask invigilator if you don't understand question

If you're struggling:

1. Talk to your instructor
2. Join tutoring if available
3. Form study groups
4. Visit your advisor
5. Request additional resources

Building Academic Integrity

Remember:

• Your degree represents YOUR knowledge and skills
• Cheating undermines this value
• Employers value integrity
• Your professional reputation matters
• Honest work pays off long-term

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I accidentally made a mistake on my assignment?
A: Honest mistakes are not academic misconduct. Inform your instructor, and corrections can usually be made.

Q: Is using Wikipedia for research cheating?
A: No. Using sources is fine. Copying without attribution is plagiarism. Cite all sources properly.

Q: Can I work with classmates on assignments?
A: Yes, ONLY if instructor permits group work. Check assignment instructions carefully.

Q: What happens if I'm falsely accused?
A: You have the right to defend yourself with evidence. Provide clear proof of your innocence.

Q: Can I appeal a misconduct decision?
A: Yes. Appeals must be filed with Vice Chancellor within 2 weeks. Decision is final.

Q: Will academic misconduct affect my job prospects?
A: Yes. Many employers ask about disciplinary history. Some conduct background checks.

Q: Is there leniency for first-time offenders?
A: No. PAU has zero tolerance. First offense has serious consequences.

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Your Role in Maintaining Integrity

Avoid Temptation

• Study in distraction-free environment
• Don't carry phones to exams
• Sit alone if possible during exam
• Focus on what you know, not on others

Help Create Ethical Culture

• Don't cheat (obviously!)
• Don't help others cheat
• Don't encourage cheating
• Report misconduct if you witness it
• Support academic integrity

If You Witness Misconduct

You have options:

1. Report to invigilator immediately (during exam)
2. Report to instructor after exam
3. Report to Dean confidentially
4. Report to Director of Students' Welfare
5. Anonymous report through grievance system (if available)

Your responsibility:

• Maintaining academic integrity
• Protecting reputation of PAU
• Ensuring fairness for honest students

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Key Takeaways

• Using unfair means = automatic failure in all courses + conduct probation
• Impersonation = expulsion + 2-year debarment from PAU
• Three conduct violations = dropping from university
• Ragging = expulsion with criminal prosecution possible
• Your academic record is permanent
• Employers check disciplinary history
• Success without cheating is always the best choice
• Integrity protects your future career

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Important Contacts

Report misconduct to:

• Your Instructor (first contact)
• Head of Department
• Dean of College
• Director of Students' Welfare
• Vice Chancellor (for appeals)

Support services:

• Counseling (if you're struggling academically)
• Tutoring services
• Academic advising

Emergency:

• Campus police for urgent safety issues
• Medical services if needed

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Disclaimer: This is a simplified guide based on PAU's official Semester & Hostel Rules 2025-26. For complete details on specific cases, refer to official university documents or contact the Dean's office.

Important: These rules are designed to ensure fairness, safety, and academic excellence for all students. Your cooperation helps maintain PAU's reputation and creates a positive environment for everyone.

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Last Updated: October 2025