Academic Integrity

The integrity of a university depends upon academic honesty, independent learning and research. Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism, and may result in suspension or expulsion from the University.

Two practices that not all students realize may fall into the category of academic dishonesty are: (1) using the same material for more than one course, and (2) turning in work done by several students in a joint project as one student’s own work.

If a student wishes to use the same material in papers or projects for more than one course, the student must obtain the advance permission of both instructors. Instructors will often give such permission, but if the student neglects to get permission, there may be serious consequences, including failing grades in the courses involved, or even expulsion from the program. The rules apply equally to papers for courses taken during the same semester and to courses taken in different semesters.

The same holds for joint projects. Instructors frequently permit, even encourage, joint projects, but if advance permission is not obtained, it may be treated as a violation of academic honesty.

Most students are aware of what constitutes academic dishonesty in its most blatant form, for example: falsifying documents, turning in work as one’s own that was done by another student or taking material from published sources without complete and proper acknowledgement, falsifying or making up research results, and so on. However, we strongly recommend that each student read the statement on academic integrity in the University Catalog very carefully.