Since January 1st 2024, the University of St.Gallen has a revised Directive of Academic Integrity that contains the principles of good scientific practice. The Directive also regulates the procedures in cases of scientific misconduct.
The University of St. Gallen is committed to consistently and thoroughly investigating academic misconduct and violations of scientific integrity.
Reports of suspected violations should be sent by email to the integrity office in the Vice-Rectorate Research & Faculty at: integrity@unisg.ch.
Reports can also be submitted to the independent whistleblowing office.
Anonymous reports are possible. They will only be pursued if the alleged scientific misconduct is sufficiently substantiated (Art. 17 para. 1 of the Directive on Academic Integrity).
In accordance with Art. 19 of the Directive on Academic Integrity, the University of St. Gallen ensures the protection of reporting persons from retaliation or disadvantages, particularly if the reporting person is in a dependent relationship with the accused person. Retaliatory actions are treated as violations under the Directive of Academic Integrity.
All reports of alleged academic misconduct are investigated by the integrity committee.
Members of the integrity committee are:
a) Vice-President for Research & Faculty;
b) President of the Research Committee;
c) Integrity Office and;
d) Legal counsel of the General Secretariat.
If a report is substantiated, the integrity committee initiates a preliminary investigation to clarify the facts of the case. The integrity committee can act in an advisory, supportive, and mediating capacity. It may obtain verbal or written statements and, where necessary and proportionate, may access all available documents.
The integrity committee communicates the results of the preliminary proceedings in a report to the President. Based on the report, the President decides whether the case can be closed or whether an investigation procedure requiring the appointment of an investigative committee shall be initiated.
An investigative committee must include the following members:
a) Vice-President for Research & Faculty or President of the Research Committee;
b) Integrity Office;
c) Legal counsel of the General Secretariat and;
d) at least two further members.
If needed, additional members, including external experts, may be appointed to the investigative committee on a case-by-case basis.
If, after the conclusion of the investigation, the President finds that scientific misconduct has been committed, he or she shall take the appropriate actions and sanctions in accordance with University regulations and cantonal legislation.
The University of St.Gallen seeks the establishment of consistent sanctioning practices in line with those of other institutions.