UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA BOARD OF REGENTS

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

The University of Minnesota (University) has a responsibility to foster a research environment that promotes the responsible conduct of research and research training and discourages academic misconduct.

Subd. 1. Definition. Academic misconduct, for the purpose of this policy, shall mean the fabrication or falsification of data, research procedures, or data analysis; destruction of data for fraudulent purposes; plagiarism; abuse of confidentiality; or other fraudulent actions in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting the results of research or other scholarly activity. It is particularly important to distinguish academic misconduct from honest error and the ambiguities of interpretation that are inherent in the scientific and scholarly process, but are normally corrected by further research.

Subd. 2. Application. This policy and the administrative procedures implementing it shall apply to all research, scholarly, and artistic activities of all University employees and others who are involved in such activities under the aegis of the University.

Subd. 3. Expectations. The University expects academic integrity from its employees at all times and in all circumstances. University employees may not engage in actions that constitute academic misconduct in research or other scholarly activity.

Subd. 4. Commitment. The University shall deal promptly with allegations or evidence of possible academic misconduct and shall carry out this responsibility fully to resolve questions regarding the integrity of the scholarly activity.

Subd. 5. Compliance with Federal Regulations. Where allegations of academic misconduct arise related to federally sponsored research, the University shall adhere to all applicable sponsor requirements as set forth in individual agency regulations and/or the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct.

Subd. 6. Delegation of Authority. The president or delegate shall administer this policy and is authorized to adopt and amend administrative procedures to ensure its implementation.