What is cheating?
Examples:
- Using unauthorised aids such as notes and reminders during an exam.
- Working with another student in a way that is unauthorised.
- Copying somebody else’s text without using citation marks and without indicating the source (plagiarism).
Helping somebody else to cheat will mean that you too are guilty of cheating. For example, you must not let somebody else copy your answers in a take-home exam or an essay.
The cheating does not need to have been completed for it to result in disciplinary action: for example, it is enough that you take unauthorised aids into an exam with the intention of using them for the incident to be considered cheating.
Disruptive Behaviour in Exams, Teaching or Other Situation
Failure to follow the University’s rules of order can lead to disciplinary action. This applies to during examinations, lectures and seminars as well as in placements (VFU) in schools or hospitals: as components of programmes and courses, they too are covered by university rules.
The rules also apply to matters relating to the library and the use of the University's computer network.
Victimisation: Harassment and Sexual Harassment
The word victimisation is often used as an umbrella term to describe harassment and sexual harassment.
Disciplinary action may be taken against a student who subjects an employee or another student to victimisation based on:
- Sex
- Transgender identity or expression
- Ethnicity
- Religion or other belief
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Report an Incident
All university employees have an obligation to report suspicions of attempted cheating. That is to say, reporting an incident is not voluntary: it is a duty. This is the case even if the level of suspicion is low.
What happens next?
When the University receives a report of suspected cheating, the Vice-Chancellor must ensure that the matter is investigated. The student must always be given the opportunity to give their account of the incident. The university investigator requests the account from the student and always offers the student a chance to meet to discuss the incident.
When the investigation is considered complete, the Vice-Chancellor, in consultation with the legal expert in the Student Disciplinary Board, decides whether the case should be forwarded to the Student Disciplinary Board or not. The Vice-Chancellor himself can decide to give the student a warning or to dismiss the case.
If the Vice-Chancellor and the legal expert decide that the case should be forwarded to the Student Disciplinary Board, a meeting is called where the student is invited to appear before the board to present their view on the incident.
Teachers and examination invigilators can also be called to the meeting so that there is opportunity to ask questions.
After this, where appropriate, the board makes a decision on the incident in private. The student is then notified about the decision by email after the meeting.
Warning or Suspension
A student can be given a warning or a suspension. Decisions on warnings can be made by the Vice-Chancellor or the Student Disciplinary Board; decisions on suspension can only be made by the Student Disciplinary Board.
While suspended, the student’s user account will be blocked. As a result, the student will not be able to be involved in any activities that are part of their education at Dalarna University. The student's key card will also be blocked. A student can be suspended up to a period of six months. Upon a first offence, the period is usually shorter.
As a general rule, suspension applies from the date of the decision. If there are special reasons, the Student Disciplinary Board can decide on a different time for the suspension.
The student is not entitled to study grants during the period of suspension. In cases where a student has received a suspension, this is communicated to course and programme staff, Ladok staff, the IT office and CSN.
Appeals
Students can appeal a decision on suspension and warning to the administrative court. The appeal must:
- be in writing, and the letter must state the decision that the student is appealing and the change to the decision that the student is requesting.
- be submitted to the Administrative Court in Falun but be sent to or left with the registrar at Dalarna University, who will deliver it to the Administrative Court in Falun.
- have been submitted to and arrived at the University within three weeks from the day the student learns of the decision.
While waiting for the Administrative Court to hear the appeal, the student can request that the decision on the suspension cease to apply until the Administrative Court has decided on the matter.