When students enter Peninsula College, they are joining a community of scholars in an environment of open inquiry and academic honesty. This community is characterized by the freedom to express and to question. Responsibilities associated with this freedom include fostering mutual respect for diverse speech and beliefs and contributing to an atmosphere which engenders civility. The campus recognizes that the U.S. and the Washington state constitutions protect free speech and expression.
The college expects students to act in an honest and ethical manner and to accept responsibility for their own intellectual growth and academic achievement. The college campus is a forum in which disruption or interference with the college's stated educational mission and guiding principles will not be tolerated.
Plagiarism and/or cheating, as defined in the Peninsula College student rights and responsibilities, are not tolerated by Peninsula College. An individual who cheats or plagiarizes the works of others is subject to academic sanctions, including receiving a failing grade for the course in which such action takes place. In addition, plagiarism and/or cheating are violations of the student rights and responsibilities, and such actions may result in an official sanction by the conduct officer.
The college's approach to academic honesty policy is in accordance with the college's guiding principles.
Students accused of cheating or plagiarism are subject to the disciplinary actions and rights enumerated in the student rights and responsibilities. Cases of academic honesty are subject to both class-level academic penalties and college-wide disciplinary actions as defined in the student rights and responsibilities, chapter 132A-127 WAC.
Student rights and responsibilities defined: The term "student rights and responsibilities" shall refer to the rules contained within chapter 132A-127 WAC.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 28B.50.140(13). WSR 26-06-075, s 132A-129-005, filed 2/27/26, effective 3/30/26.]