The educational process at Creighton University is founded on Catholic Jesuit ideals and is committed not only to intellectual growth and to the search for truth, but to the development of such attributes as integrity, human dignity, justice, and concern for others. Although no code of conduct can specifically cover all situations, the basic expectations of the University community must be addressed and the University's dedication to truth must be promulgated.

All incidents of academic misconduct should be reported to the Chair of the Academic Misconduct Committee (Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs) as soon as is reasonably possible so as to identify the development of any patterns of misconduct. 

Definition Of Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to: collaborating during examinations; copying examination answers; using unauthorized material during examinations; improperly or falsely obtaining, distributing or receiving examination materials; arranging to have others complete examinations, academic laboratory or clinical assignments and/or experiments; possessing, distributing or selling unreleased National Board Examinations; selling dental school test archives for profit; plagiarism in any form; furnishing false information to the University concerning academic matters; falsifying clinical reports or otherwise endangering the well being of patients who present themselves for treatment and/or teaching purposes; misusing academic resources; defacing, tampering with or wrongfully acquiring library materials or school equipment; forgery of academic or academic-related documents; unauthorized entry into areas where academic materials are located; engaging in bribery to obtain unauthorized academic information or material; altering academic records; failing to follow policies/procedures/practices as presented in the Clinic Manual; failing to follow instructions or directives of faculty members as related to academic matters; using social media to denigrate or defame Creighton University, the School of Dentistry, and/or any of its employees, students or patients; repeated issuance of professionalism citations for unprofessional behavior; as well as any other conduct intended or likely to give a student unfair advantage or unfair benefit regarding an academic matter.  This policy pertains to events or occurrences that happen internally within Creighton University as well as to academic exercises administered by outside agencies (i.e. National Boards, licensure examinations, etc.)

Penalties

Penalties for academic misconduct include, but are not limited to one or more of the following:

1. Reprimand;
2. Repetition of an examination or an assignment under a different format;
3. Reduction in grade for an examination or an assignment;
4. Failing grade for an examination or an assignment;
5. Probation;
6. Suspension or expulsion from a course, (in the case of expulsion from a course a grade of "F" is recorded on the transcript)
7. Incomplete grade for a course and the requirement that the course be repeated;
8. Removal from or denial of office in student organizations;
9. Request for withdrawal from the School or suspension or expulsion from the School; and
10. Suspension of clinical privileges.

The penalties listed above in numbers one (1) through four (4) may be imposed by a course director. The Academic Misconduct Committee or the Dean may impose any of the above listed penalties. The Assistant/Associate Dean for Clinical Services / Director of Clinics may impose penalties 1 and 10.

A student may appeal only on the grounds that

1. the decision of the Committee is not supported by the information available to it and/or that
2. the penalty imposed by the Committee was too severe. If the student elects to appeal, the issue or issues upon which the appeal is based shall be reviewed by the Dean or, if the Dean chooses, the Student Appeals Committee and he/she will give written notice to the student, to the Chair of the Academic Misconduct Committee, and to the course director of a decision.

The decision of the Dean may be appealed to the University Provost only if the Dean upholds or imposes a penalty of expulsion from the School, suspension, or a request for withdrawal. Such appeals will be governed by the procedures set out in the University’s Student Handbook for appeals to the Provost. The decision of the University Provost shall be final.

This policy will be carried out in such a manner as to protect the privacy of the accused student in all aspects associated with the alleged violation including the confidentiality of the proceedings and their outcomes. (2026)