1R5 Academic Integrity Results

Summary Results of Measures AND Comparison of Results with Internal Targets and External Benchmarks

Student complaints/appeals, which can reflect issues of student or employee integrity, are monitored and are included in the results section for complaints (2R 4 ). While this data does indicate student complaints/appeals regarding grades and other academically-related issues, few deal directly with integrity issues.  Southeast Tech has a formal grievance procedure for students or employees who believe a violation has occurred of the Institute’s Code of Conduct, Harassment, Discrimination or other such policy.  The Institute has had only a handful of student formal grievance incidents over the past five years.  Due to the infrequent number of these issues, and therefore the privacy concerns of releasing data regarding these incidents, it is not possible to provide additional information in this section.  

Similarly, Southeast Tech monitors employee grievances.  Over the past five years, Southeast Tech has had four formal grievances, which have been vetted through the Institute’s grievance procedures and have been dealt with accordingly.  Again, due to the low number of grievances and privacy concerns, it is not possible to provide additional information in this section.

Student integrity issues are handled at the lowest possible level; therefore, most are dealt with directly by faculty.  Over the course of a year, Southeast Tech may experience around 5 to 8 student integrity issues that have moved up to an administrative level for review.  These issues are generally in the form of cheating or plagiarism and are handled on a case-by-case basis.

When it comes to academic integrity, Southeast Tech’s goal is to reduce integrity issues, either by employees or students, to a zero level. While maintaining such a level on an annual basis is not possible, the Institute believes that its policies and its enforcement of these policies, has assured the number of academic integrity issues remain minimal.

External benchmarks for integrity issues are difficult to find; however, the integrity of admissions staff and how they portray the campus is vital to assuring prospective students make informed educational decisions. As Table 1R5.1 shows, Southeast Tech’s Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory results for accurate portrayal of the campus are at or near (within 90% of) the national mean level. It is the Institute’s target, however, to move these levels to above the national mean.

Interpretation of Results and Insights Gained

The number of incidents of academic integrity issues, either at the employee or student level, is low.  While it continues to be the goal of the Institute to minimize all integrity issues and remain diligent in assuring no increases in frequency or level of these issues, the Institute believes that, at this time, the Institute is effectively handling these concerns.