Academic Integrity
The integrity of an academic program rests on the principle that the grades awarded to students reflect only their efforts and achievement. Students are required to perform the work specified by the instructor and are responsible for the content of work submitted such as papers, reports, and examinations. The use of another person’s ideas or work claimed as your own without acknowledging the source is known as plagiarism and is prohibited. A student reported for plagiarism or cheating will be referred to the Academic Affairs Department and will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible expulsion from COBS.
Plagiarism
Students are expected to assume the responsibility for providing original work in their courses without plagiarizing. A writer who fails to give appropriate acknowledgment when repeating another's wording or particularly apt term, paraphrasing an argument, or presenting another's line of thinking is guilty of plagiarism". The academic writing assignments that require the use of outside sources generally are not intended to teach students to assemble a collection of ideas and quotes, but rather to synthesize the ideas they find elsewhere to construct new knowledge for themselves. Different disciplines use different documentation methods; therefore, students should consult instructors about the correct use of the appropriate documentation style
Online Presence Policy
Students are expected to be regular in their online presence on the following platforms:
• COBS Learner Portal
• External Awarding Body Learner Portal (If Applicable)
• COTHM Community Portal
• COTHM Online Events
• COTHM Career Portal
A percentage of the student’s grade will be based on their active online participation, engagement, collaboration, and contribution. In certain courses, the weight placed on online presence may be considerably more due to the nature of the coursework and required assignments. The absence from online presence, regardless of the reason, does not relieve the student of his/her responsibility to complete all coursework by the required deadlines.
Sex Discrimination Policy
The COBS policy is to maintain an academic and work environment free of sex discrimination for students, faculty, and staff. Sex discrimination diminishes individual self-respect, and impedes equal employment, educational opportunities, and equal access to freedom of Institutional inquiry. Sex Discrimination is a barrier to fulfilling the Institute’s educational and service missions. COBS will not tolerate any form of sex discrimination.
Sex Discrimination (Including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Sexual Violence, Stalking, Rape, Other Sexual Misconduct, or Retaliation) is prohibited. COBS prohibits any act of sex discrimination, including all forms of sexual misconduct.
Prohibited Sexual Misconduct:
Sexual misconduct is a broad term encompassing any unwelcome act of a sexual nature perpetrated by any person against another without that person’s consent or when that person is unable to freely give consent. Sexual misconduct occurs regardless of whether there was intent to harm another. Incidents of a sexual nature that do not involve physical contact (e.g., offensive sexual words, comments, gestures, videos, or pictures) may be sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct can occur between people of different genders or people of the same gender, or between an individual and a community of people. It can occur before or after consensual sexual activity. All types of sexual misconduct are prohibited.