What Is Academic Dishonesty?

As you know, we value academic integrity very highly and do not permit any forms of dishonesty or deception that unfairly, improperly or illegally enhance a grade on an individual assignment or a course grade. The following is a list of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. We are aware, however, that new forms of cheating, plagiarism and other forms of dishonesty may arise and therefore, we expect every student to interpret the requirement of academic honesty and integrity broadly and in good faith. If you have any doubt as to whether a particular act constitutes academic dishonesty, ask me before you do it!

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

A. Cheating on Exams - using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material or study aids during an examination, including but not limited to:

1. Copying from others.

2. Having or using notes, formulas or other information in a programmable calculator or other electronic device without explicit teacher review and permission.

3. Having or using a communication device such as a cell phone, pager, PDA or electronic translator to send or obtain unauthorized information.

4. Taking an exam for another student, or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

5. Asking another to give you improper assistance, including offering money or other benefits.

6. Asking for or accepting money or any other benefit in return for giving another improper assistance.

7. Providing or receiving information about all or part of an exam, including answers (e.g., telling someone in a subsequent period what was on your exam, or being told this information).

8. Having or using a "cheat sheet" (i.e., a piece of paper with answers, formulas, information or notes) that is not specifically authorized by the teacher.

9. Altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade.

10. Working together on a take-home exam unless specifically authorized by the teacher.

11. Gaining or providing unauthorized access to examination materials.

Note: Simply having possession during an exam of any prohibited or unauthorized information or device, whether or not it is actually used, is an act of academic dishonesty and will be dealt with as such.

B. Plagiarism in Papers and Assignments - using the ideas, data or language of another without specific or proper acknowledgment, including but not limited to:

1. Giving or getting improper assistance on an assignment meant to be individual work. (When in doubt, ask.)

2. Including in any assignment turned in for credit any materials not based on your own research and writing. This includes:

a. Using the services of a commercial term paper company.

b. Using the services of another student.

c. Copying part or all of another person’s paper and submitting it as your own for an assignment.

3. Acting as a provider of paper(s) for a student or students.

4. Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit in more than one course without consulting both teachers (self-plagiarism).

5. Failing to use quotation marks where appropriate.

6. Failing to properly acknowledge paraphrased materials via textual attribution and in references.

7. Making up data for an experiment (“fudging data”).

8. Citing nonexistent sources (articles, books, etc.).

C. Other forms of Academic Dishonesty

1. Misrepresenting your academic accomplishments, such as by tampering with computer records.

2. Deceiving a teacher or making up a false reason or excuse to get special consideration on an exam or an extension for an exam or paper.

3. Failing to promptly stop work on an exam when the time allocated has elapsed.

4. Forging a signature.

5. Hoarding or damaging library materials.

6. Misrepresenting academic records, such as tampering with any portion of a student’s academic record.

7. Facilitating academic dishonesty (i.e., knowingly helping another violate any provision of the Code).

8. Gaining unfair advantage (i.e., attempting to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise)

a. Gaining or providing access to exam materials.

b. Lying about needing a deadline extension.

c. Continuing after time is up on a test. 

Note: Attempted academic dishonesty, even if unsuccessful, will be treated as academic dishonesty.

Source: Josephson, M & Mertz, M. (2004). Changing cheaters: Promoting integrity and preventing academic dishonesty. Los Angeles: Josephson Institute of Ethics.

- 7/31/2004 -