Article 1 This rule is made to further improve the investigation and settlement of academic irregularities based on Academic Standards and Measures for Academic Irregularities of Lanzhou University (Trial).

Article 2 The Secretariat of the Academia Construction Committee (hereinafter shorted as the Secretariat), the standing office of the university, is specifically in charge of the management of the daily affairs in the committee and organizes the acceptance, hearing and investigation of academic irregularity cases.

Article 3 The Secretariat shall establish archives for every college or institute in the university. Those who violate academic norms, who are self-examined and who are informed shall be registered. The Secretariat shall also set up investigation files for individuals who were informed on academic violation.

Article 4 As to those academic breaches which have already been registered and initiated the investigation procedure, the Secretariat shall set up investigation journal and keep a detailed record of the progress. To those who are investigated by e-mail or telephone, the Secretariat shall keep telephone or e-mail records for reference. To those who are investigated by the third party, the Secretariat shall keep original alignment records for reference. To those who are appraised by the authorized expert, the Secretariat shall issue a power of attorney and keep the original document of the expert.

Article 5 The Secretariat is responsible for the organization of investigating cases of academic irregularities:

(1) The Secretariat shall take the initiative to register and investigate the problems of academic styles in the construction of academic atmosphere and daily management based on relevant procedures;

(2) The Secretariat shall make certain of the investigation and the specific method of investigation and response to the cases given by higher authorities, superior management departments for study style or relevant departments in accordance with degree of emergency and conditions; 

(3) The Secretariat shall take active and prompt investigation on academic violations of the university which are reported in the newspapers, magazines, radio, television, internet and other media, and shall publish the investigation result and school decision in the media;

Article 6 The Secretariat shall start investigation on those whistleblowers who report and also provide related evidence and clue. The Secretariat shall register and put on files to those who can’t provide related evidence and clue. To those who may bring significant impact on university image, the Secretariat shall carry on investigation even if without related evidence and clue. In principle, anonymous report won’t be processed. To those who fabricate statements and accuse others, once verified, will be punished severely.

Article 7 Academic committee of each college or research institute shall take main responsibilities to conduct the investigation of academic irregularities. All academic irregularities which were confirmed to be investigated by Academic Atmosphere Construction Committee shall be investigated and affirmed in 10 days by related academic committee or institute, and shall be reported to Academic Atmosphere Construction Committee on paper. To assure an objective and fair investigation, the Secretariat shall also entrust a third party (a peer professor or an academic committee) to compare and verify. The entrusted third party shall be a person or a committee which have no interest with the respondent.

Article 8 The Secretariat shall promptly notify the respondent, hear their petitions, and request them to provide relevant data and proof when cases of academic irregularities are registered and investigated.

Article 9 In order to ensure the objectivity and fairness of the investigation, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the respondent, the investigation process shall be kept confidential before the Academic atmosphere construction Committee has reached a conclusion.

Article 10 The general meeting of the Academic atmosphere construction Committee is the only subject to make the final conclusion on academic irregularities. Any other organizations and individuals have no rights to make formal conclusions to academic violation.

Article 11 The formal result of investigation made by the Academic Atmosphere Construction Committee shall be notified to the respondents.

(1) If the respondent disobey the conclusion of investigation, he has the right to appeal to the Academic Atmosphere Construction Committee in written form within 7 days upon receiving the notice, and shall provide evidence, clues.

(2) The Committee shall, within 3 days upon receiving the appeal, review the case according to the evidence provided by the respondent. If the review conflicts with the original conclusion, the General meeting shall be convened to re-study and re-determine the investigation result. If the review is consistent with the original conclusion, the general meeting shall not be held. The review conclusion shall be notified to the respondent.

Article 12 The Committee shall report the conclusions of investigation and suggestions to the director of the Academic Committee of the university in the form of resolution, and the resolution shall also be presented to the president’s office meeting for decision. The president’s office meeting shall decide whether to proceed the case or not and give instructions to certain departments to handle the case. The decision on academic irregularities shall specify the penalties and time limit, and notify the deans and academic committee of related colleges, research institutes, departments and offices.

Article 13 The Committee shall not accept any cases which has been concluded nor to punish the respondent again unless there is new fact or new evidence.

Article 14 Considering that the Academic Standards and Measures for Academic Irregularities of Lanzhou University (Trial) implemented on January 1, 2012, there will be a prosecution period to those cases which occurred before this date.

(A) For the academic breaches cases before January 1, 2007, the Secretariat shall only set up the academic atmosphere file and notify the respondent to make an explanation, and shall no longer make specific investigation and decision on those who can clarify the truth.

(B) The Secretariat shall conduct investigations and make conclusions without suggesting administrative penalty to president’s office for academic irregularities during the period from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2011 except for those cases leading to serious social consequences.

(C) The Academic Standards and Measures for Academic Breaches of Lanzhou University (Trial) shall be strict to cases occurred after January 1, 2012.

Article 15 The Committee shall be responsible for the interpretation of the policy.

Article 16 The rule presented shall go into effect from the date of adoption by the president’s office meeting.