If there is any confusion about the university’s policy on academic dishonesty, it should be cleared up soon.

A proposed addition to the policy, which will explain the rights of the accused, is being circulated and is currently seeking approval from the committee of Student and Academic Affairs.

Author of the proposal, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Dr. John Thornell, observed its necessity during a meeting this summer.

“There was a great deal of confusion over the policy,” he said, adding that it is currently not “clear-cut.”

Thornell made this clarification with students in mind.

“If you are accused and don’t feel that it’s fair, you can pursue it,” he said.

Currently, the only option for an accused student is to take the case to the Office of Student Conduct. As part of the new plan, the accused will have at least three or four opportunities to make a defense before the issue finds itself in Thornell’s office.

“The purpose of the new policy is two-fold,” Thornell said. “To clarify steps available to students, to test their accusation and to provide due process. We all appreciate a clear set of steps for due process.”

UNA junior Colin Hughes shares in the optimism because he thinks it will require a fair amount of evidence to be considered before an accusation is made.

“It will be good because it will keep teachers honest so that they have to have adequate evidence to accuse a student of cheating,” he said.

He also believes that the current policy is working well.

“The Student Conduct Office is very fair and will give you the benefit of the doubt,” he said.

According to Dr. Matt Schoenbachler, a UNA history professor, cheating is not a huge problem in his classroom.

“The main problem is plagiarism, and I address this depending on the situation,” he said.

Fairness is a standard in Schoenbachler’s classroom.

“I realize that for some newer students, they don’t realize the problem behind what they’re doing,” he said.

These students are given a chance to correct their work before being penalized.

“For repeat offenders, their grade is seriously hurt, or they could be given a zero for the assignment,” he said.

UNA freshman Hailey Boeck sees the importance of a fair system.

“I think it is vitally important to be able to defend yourself,” she said. “Without that, you have no voice.”