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New scholarly misconduct policy quickens process

A new policy on scholarly misconduct has been passed by University Senate and approved by Chancellor Robert Hemenway. The policy was revisited to ensure it is in accordance with National Institutes of Health and federal regulations.

Federal regulations require entities to which it funds research to have a policy that can resolve accusations of scholarly misconduct within a set time frame. KU’s previous policy did not meet the time frame.

A University Senate task force chaired by Daphne Fautin, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, examined the previous policy and made recommendations for the new one. It was approved by the senate in April and was amended and approved by Hemenway on July 22.

Scholarly misconduct is defined as falsification, fabrication or plagiarism in scholarly activities such as proposing, performing or reviewing research and reporting research results or in public exhibition or performance of creative work. According to the policy, findings of scholarly misconduct must include significant departures from accepted practices of the scholarly community, the misconduct be committed intentionally, knowingly or recklessly and the allegation be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

The policy outlines the process of reporting suspected scholarly misconduct, stating anyone who suspects misconduct has been committed should report it in writing to the vice provost for research and graduate studies. The vice provost will then determine who will make the inquiry, which should be made within one week if possible. If a resolution is reached, it will be reported in writing to the vice provost. If not, the individual performing the inquiry will determine if further investigation is needed. All records and inquiries will be kept confidential. The inquiry must be completed within 60 days of the initial complaint.

If the inquiry determines an investigation should take place, both the individual conducting the inquiry and respondent will be asked to provide their views of the alleged misconduct. Within 30 days of the end of the inquiry, the vice provost will appoint a committee of five neutral voting members to conduct an investigation and determine if scholarly misconduct has occurred. If it is determined that misconduct has not occurred, the committee will report its findings to the vice provost, and the matter will not appear in the individual’s personnel file. If the committee finds misconduct has taken place, it will provide the respondent and complainant with a draft copy of its findings. The respondent will have 30 days to provide the committee with written comments on the report. The committee will then provide a final report, including a recommended course of action to the vice provost.

The entire process must be concluded within 120 days of the beginning of the investigation. To see the full policy, visit www2.ku.edu/~unigov/usrr.html.

NOTABLE ALUMS:

Charles K. Wolfe, who earned a doctorate from KU, was recently inducted into the National Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. A scholar of bluegrass and all forms of traditional country music, Wolfe wrote more than a dozen books, mostly historical in nature, and penned liner notes for numerous albums. He was also an active educator, teaching at Middle Tennessee State University from 1970 to 2005.