The university’s offices dedicated to academic integrity and to student rights and responsibilities are merging, the university announced Monday.
The joint structure is common in colleges across the country, including Duke, Johns Hopkins and Vanderbilt universities, and will enable GW to better focus resources on the overall education of students and fostering their ability to make good decisions inside and outside the classroom, said Gabriel Slifka, director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
“It’s an exciting concept to blend the functions of academic integrity with those of student rights and responsibilities,” said Timothy Terpstra, director of academic integrity. “Joining with student affairs is a natural fit and the subsequent enhanced resources will benefit both students and faculty in better promoting a climate of mutual trust and learning, civility and integrity.”
Mr. Slifka echoed the sentiment. “The transition highlights the university’s efforts to synergize the relationship between academic affairs and student affairs as we further support the success of the whole student,” he said.
The combined areas will be responsible for addressing violations of both the Code of Academic Integrity—including cheating and plagiarism—and the Code of Student Conduct—including physical and sexual violence, alcohol and drug violations, and disorderly conduct.
The restructuring is part of the reorganization of student services under the Office of the Provost that began last year.
Peter Konwerski, dean of student affairs, emphasized the significance the university places on academic integrity and its particular importance during exam periods. “As students complete final assignments and prepare for exams, it’s especially critical to raise awareness of scholarship and academic integrity,” he said.