Staffed Hours:
From "Main Provisions" section, subset 1 of the Niagara University Academic Integrity Policy defines plagiarism as:
"...a major form of academic dishonesty involving the presentation of the work of another as one's own. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following:
a. The direct copying of any source, such as written and verbal material, computer files, audio disks, video programs or musical scores, whether published or unpublished, in whole or part, without proper acknowledgement that it is someone else's.
b. Copying of any source in whole or part without proper acknowledgement.
c. Submitting as one's own work a report, examination paper, computer file, lab report or other assignment that has been prepared by someone else. This includes research papers purchased from any other person or agency.
d. The paraphrasing of another's work or ideas without proper acknowledgement."
Once an incident of plagiarism has been reported the case will go before the Academic Integrity Board (AIB) who's task it is to decide what sanctions will be taken towards the offender.
From "Procedure" section, subset 3 of the Niagara University Academic Integrity Policy:
Educational remedies will typically be the first choice of the AIB and are designed to assist the student in better understanding the overall impact of his/her academic infraction(s). Such assigned projects might include research projects, the creation of educational materials, completion of a training module on AI policies, or the planning and/or presentation of educational programs related to the policy infraction. Assigned projects may not include physical labor unless they are directly related to the violation(s) and may not be intended to cause humiliation or degradation to the student.
A reprimand without transcript notation is an official written censure of the student for violating Academic Integrity policies that will not result in a note on the student’s transcript.
A suspension establishes a fixed period of time during which the student may not participate in any academic or extracurricular activities of the university. The suspension may or may not be accompanied by other requirements such as educational remediation or other activities. At the end of the suspension period, the student may be restored to good standing, provided that the student has met any and all requirements that have been established by the AIB. The can choose to end a suspension or to extend a suspension.
A dismissal permanently denies the student the right to participate in any academic or extracurricular activities of the university. A sanction of dismissal will be noted on the transcript as “academic dismissal”.
Degree revocation may occur for a graduated student who has violated the Academic Integrity Policy. This sanction will be noted on the transcript as “degree revocation”.
From "Main Provisions" section, subset 1, in the Niagara University Academic Integrity Policy,
"AI is defined as, "...encompassing a range of computer-based systems and technologies that exhibit capabilities typically associated with human intelligence. This includes, but is not limited to, text and image generators, machine learning algorithms, natural language processing tools, machine translation, predictive analytics, and intelligent tutoring systems. These technologies are capable of performing tasks such as generating creative content, analyzing complex data, personalizing learning experiences, and automating administrative tasks. AI in this realm is not static but continually evolving, potentially incorporating emerging technologies such as advanced neural networks, augmented reality in learning environments, and sophisticated AI-driven research tools."
At Niagara University, the use of artificial intelligence in course assignments is subject to the discretion of individual faculty members, reflecting the institution's strong commitment to academic freedom. Faculty members have the autonomy to determine whether and how AI tools and technologies can be integrated into course assignments and assessments. This approach allows for a diverse range of pedagogical strategies and acknowledges the unique requirements and learning objectives of different courses. Students must understand the specific guidelines provided by their instructors regarding the use of AI in their academic work. In line with section two above, the policy for citing AI usage in assignments is determined by individual faculty members. Each instructor may set their own guidelines regarding how and when AI tools and technologies should be cited in student work. This approach allows faculty members to tailor citation requirements to the specific context and objectives of their courses. Students are responsible for understanding and adhering to the citation guidelines provided by their instructors, ensuring that the use of AI is transparently and appropriately acknowledged in their academic submissions. The misuse of artificial intelligence in academic work at Niagara University is treated as a serious breach of academic integrity. Misuse can manifest in various forms, such as relying excessively on AI for creating entire assignments, failing to cite AI assistance, or using AI to bypass learning objectives. This is key: AI represents a continuum where the teaching approach and learning objectives dictate what is misuse. For instance, if a student submits an essay largely generated by an AI text tool without proper acknowledgment or beyond the scope allowed by the instructor, it would be considered a violation."