Faculty Resources - Creating an Environment for Integrity

Academic integrity is essential to the mission of Truman State University. By creating an environment where expectations are clearly given, and consequences are clearly discussed, academic integrity can be maintained.

STARTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT
Your syllabus offers the ability to set a good foundation for integrity in your classroom. You should include a statement about what constitutes dishonesty in your class and a list of the possible ramifications. Below you will find some sample syllabus statements. You may use these statements on your syllabus without citation.
 

• Academic Integrity is a standard set for this course. Students are expected to complete all of their coursework and assignments using their original words and ideas and will properly cite the words and ideas of others. Students are expected to work alone on the exams and quizzes without the use of any outside resources. Students may not use old tests when preparing for exams, nor may they consult with students who have already taken the exam. Students are also expected to be honest in their interactions with the professor. A student found to have not upheld these expectations is subject to failing this course and being reported to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the University Conduct Officer.

• The Truman State University Student Conduct Code (8.020.01) defines the term “academic dishonesty” to include, but not be limited to any one of the following acts:
   

1. Cheating:  Defined as using or attempting to use unauthorized (a) materials,

     (b) information, or (c) study aids in any academic exercise.

2.  Fabrication:  Defined as unauthorized (a) falsification or (b) invention of any information

     (including research data) or citation in an academic exercise.

3.  Facilitating academic dishonesty:  Defined as (a) assisting or (b) attempting to assist

     another to commit an act of academic dishonesty, whether or not that action is associated

     with any particular course.

4.  Plagiarism:  Defined as representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any

     academic exercise. The term “plagiarism” includes, but is not limited to, (a) the use, by 

     paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work or sections of a work

     of another person without full and clear acknowledgement; (b) the unacknowledged use of

     materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or

     other academic materials, including material taken from or ordered through the Internet; or

     (c) unacknowledged use of original work/material that has been produced through

     collaboration with others without release in writing from collaborators.

5.Sabotage: Defined as, but is not limited to, the unauthorized interference with, modification

     of, or destruction of the work or intellectual property of another member of the University

     community.  Students caught committing an act of academic dishonesty in this course will

     be subject to the full range of penalties including failing the project, being required to write a

     paper on academic integrity, and/or failing the course. In every case, the Vice President for

     Academic Affairs and the University Conduct Officer will be notified.
 

• Plagiarism means presenting the work of others as your own work: copying material from a published text (including an online text) without giving the writer proper credit; allowing others to write or rewrite your assignments; copying the work of other students and passing it off as your own, and so on. Plagiarism is a particular problem when working with materials from the Internet; it's tempting but dangerous to copy passages of online texts into your paper without attributing those passages to other writers. Giving others credit for their words and/or ideas doesn't make us trust you less; in academic writing you add to your authority by citing other sources. Plagiarism is a serious offense. It can ruin your college career. No matter how desperate you are, don't do it. Instead, ask me for help using your sources. If you do commit an act of plagiarism, you will fail this course and your name will be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the University Conduct Officer.

It is important to note that each course is unique in the assignments and, at times, in the academic integrity issues. Please amend your statement to reflect your views and expectations.

TAKING THE NEXT STEP
A well-written statement about academic integrity on your syllabus can open the door to a useful discussion in your classroom. Ask your students their perspectives of integrity. You may find that some of your students use a different definition for cheating or you may find that your students do not know what    plagiarism really is. Our new students may not understand the standards we have here at Truman. Discuss any special policies you have for assignments or in testing situations. In addition, mentioning the positive aspects of integrity and ethics in your discipline early in your class will help set a constructive tone for the semester.

CONTINUING DOWN THE PATH
There are many opportunities throughout the semester to address integrity. For instance, at the beginning of an exam or quiz, remind your students that they are expected to do honest work. When assigning an essay, remind your students how they can properly use citations for their sources.

Adapted from Academic Integrity Newsletter July/August 2001, conduct.truman.edu