Academic Integrity Framework

At Southern Cross University academic integrity means behaving with the values of honesty, fairness, trustworthiness, courage, responsibility and respect in relation to academic work.

The Southern Cross University Academic Integrity Framework aims to develop a holistic, systematic and consistent approach to addressing academic integrity across the entire University. This webpage provides links for staff and students for all academic integrity matters.

If you are a student at Southern Cross University, this video helps to explain academic integrity, why it should be important to you and why it is important to the University. It also recognises that students need to build skills to practise academic integrity successfully at Southern Cross University. Watch the video to find out more.

Academic Integrity

Welcome to Southern Cross University.

Starting university study is really exciting. There are a lot of new ideas, people, traditions and expectations to learn about, while also fitting study into your life.

When joining a new community it can be hard to know what is expected and how to do the right thing. But everyone at SCU wants to welcome new students, and help set you up for study success. Most new students experience waves of excitement, moments of challenge, and have lots of questions. For example, students know that academic integrity is important, and want to do the ‘right thing’ and follow the rules. At the same time, academic integrity can be a confusing idea at first, and most new students are not sure what they need to do to practise Academic Integrity.

As a new student, you may not realise if you have breached academic integrity, and that there can be serious penalties. At Southern Cross University, success as a student depends, in many ways, on your Academic Integrity, particularly when completing assessments It involves being honest about what is your work, what is influenced by other people's work and what is directly borrowed from someone else.

The rules and practices of academic integrity at SCU could be very different to the ones you know from previous studies and workplaces. So, it is important you learn about what it means in the SCU context.

At SCU, we want to help set you up for study success. We understand that new students need to be given opportunities to learn about academic integrity This is why at SCU we give new students, in their first study session, the opportunity to learn how to practise academic integrity. You will find lots of academic integrity support, including in-class and online activities, assessment feedback, Learning Zone resources and options to talk with the Learning Coaches.

We have developed an Academic Integrity Module to help you understand the rules and expectations and how to practise integrity in your academic work. But ultimately, you are responsible for the academic integrity in your work. You will also need to continue to be honest and ensure that you do the right thing when submitting your assessments. As you study, keep developing your toolbox of assessment skills. Practising academic integrity is important.

These integrity skills will set you up for success at university, and in your future professional role.

Make sure you use your first study session to access academic integrity support, talk to your teachers and other students, ask questions, act on feedback, and develop your toolbox of skills.

So, let’s get started!

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Policies, Procedures and Guidelines

Resources for Students

SCU: Practising Academic Integrity Module (mandatory for new students)
Academic Integrity and Turnitin (Student Learning Zone)
Southern Cross University Orientation Site (Blackboard)
Research Ready: Plagiarism & Referencing
MySCU Toolkit: Study Skills

Resources for Staff

Academic Integrity (Centre for Teaching and Learning - login required)
Turnitin (Centre for Teaching and Learning - login required)
Academic Integrity Framework Staff Training Resources and FAQs (login required)
Academic Integrity and Turnitin (Student Learning Zone)
Assessment Items or Grades (Technology Services resources on Turnitin)

Student Communication Templates

Minor Academic Integrity Breach Notice

This Minor Academic Integrity Breach Notice is an example of what a student receives, and not to be used as a template.

It is issued to the student automatically via email from within AIMS, once the UA confirms the Minor AI Breach and decides the education intervention (which can be seen in the attached example). The highlighted sections in the example show what content is auto-filled based on the information included in AIMS about the breach.

It is not necessary or desirable to send any additional email communications to the student regarding the Minor AI breach, as the letter is self-explanatory.

Example Minor Academic Integrity Breach Notice sent to student (login required)

AIO Allegation and Determination Notice Templates

These template notices are to be used by AIOs in communicating Allegation and Determination Notices to students.

Select the template you require, add detail where highlighted along with your e-signature, save the letter as pdf, and then email to the student (subject line: Important Notice – Academic Integrity Breach). Finally, please upload a copy of the pdf letter into the AIMS (along with any student response to the notice).

Allegation Notice Academic Integrity Officer to Student (login required)
Determination Notice Academic Integrity Officer Finding (login required)
Determination Notice Academic Integrity Officer Dismissed (login required)

Appeal Determination Notice Templates

These template notices are to be used by Executive Deans/Deans of College in communicating Appeal Determination decisions to students. Select the template you require, add detail where highlighted along with your e-signature, save the letter as pdf, and then email to the student (subject line: Important Notice – Appeal Determination). Finally, please upload a copy of the pdf letter into the AIMS.

Appeal Determination Executive Dean to Student Sustained (login required)
Appeal Determination Executive Dean to Student Dismissed (login required)

Decision-Making by AIOs and Executive Deans

There is no conflict of interest if the marker is also the AIO.
However, an AIO can recuse themselves and ask the Acting AIO to determine the matter if they believe there is any actual or perceived bias or conflict of interest as the Decision-Maker. In the event that a student believes there was a potential conflict of interest, they are entitled to appeal – and this would be to the Executive Dean (after the AIO has determined the matter).
The Executive Dean cannot delegate the Decision-Making in relation to an appeal against AIO decisions.
The Executive Dean may have an appropriate staff member consider the material and make a recommendation to them. However, the Executive Dean is ultimately responsible for making that decision.

Please contact the Co-ordinator, Academic Governance and Student Misconduct at E: ssu@scu.edu.au if you require further advice about this.

Contacts for Students

E: Email The Student Learning Zone
E: Learning Zone Appointments (for appointments with a Learning Coach)
E: Student Advocacy (advocacy with SCU academic and procedural rules and regulations)