Academic Integrity:Student Information

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How to Avoid (the Appearance of) Academic Misconduct

There is a lot you can do to protect yourself from being accused of cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic misconduct.

Know your Resources

Thoroughly read your course syllabus and talk to your instructor about course-specific policies or program-specific policies. Pay close attention to:

  • Group Work: Assume that all course work is to be done individually or on your own unless you receive specific instructions about group work. Sharing your work with other students or using someone else's work to complete your own assignments is cheating and may have significant consequences.
  • Use of AI (Artificial Intelligence): Although the use of AI may be allowed in some courses or by some instructors, it is prohibited by others. Do not assume that the acceptable use of AI in one course applies to all others. Talk with your course instructor before you engage in the use of AI for any course assignment.
  • Cite your references: In any class where you are asked to cite research for a paper, presentation or other project, be sure to cite your references accurately and use quotation marks if you are quoting directly from the source text. If you are unsure what counts as a paraphrase and what counts as a quote, contact the Writing Center for more help or talk to your instructor.

Know what Academic Misconduct Means

Academic misconduct is not just cheating on an exam or a paper. There are many more forms of academic misconduct and it is easier than you may think to engage in an activity that could be considered misconduct. Read through the Definitions of Academic Misconduct for more information. Also, consult with your course instructor anytime you have a question.

Know Your Environment

Some forms of academic misconduct seem innocent enough at first, but can easily get you caught in a trap. A classmate may say, “I'm having trouble with this assignment. Can you email me what you've done so I can get an idea of how to start?” While sending your work may seem like a good-natured gesture on your part, the classmate may very easily put his or her name on your paper and submit it as his/her own.

Also, group chats can be very useful, especially when there are questions among the students about an upcoming assignment or exam. However, there are also times when participating in a group chat or messaging app can get you into trouble. For instance, if a student shares prohibited material in a group chat (answers to an upcoming exam), all students in the group chat may likely experience the same consequences. In situations like this, remove yourself from the app or chat and consider approaching your course instructor.

Know What to Expect

If you are accused of academic misconduct, read the university procedure on this webpage. There is also a helpful one-page diagram that lets you know what to expect. You can help yourself in this situation by talking to your course instructor and/or department head, especially if you believe you have been falsely accused.

Questions

I received an email stating my professor filed a report of academic misconduct against me. What does this mean?

  • This means that you are suspected of academic misconduct (cheating, plagiarism or something similar). First, you will meet with the instructor who completed the form. After that, depending on you may be required to meet with other university personnel. You will receive more input along the way. Review the Academic Misconduct Onesheet to learn more about the procedure and steps you can take, especially if you want to appeal the allegation.

How do I appeal an accusation of Academic Misconduct?

  • If you cannot resolve the situation with the course instructor, you can write a letter of appeal to your department head. If the department head does not support your appeal, the next letter will go to your academic dean. The full appeal process is described in University Procedure 13.99.99.R0.03 Undergraduate Academic Dishonesty.

What are the consequences of Academic Misconduct?

  • The consequences depend on the type and severity of the accusation and whether this is your first offense. Consequences may include, but are not limited to:
    • You may be asked to complete the assignment or a new assignment for full or partial credit.
    • You may receive a grade of zero on the assignment or exam in question.
    • You may receive a grade of F (fail) in the course in question.
    • You may be required to withdraw from the class in question.
    • You may be put on probation or suspension

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