ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Information for Students

All Members of the Oklahoma State University Community are Committed to Academic Integrity,

 Which Encompasses the Fundamental

Values of

Honesty    Trust    Respect    Fairness     Responsibility

General Statement of Academic Honesty

 A university exists to advance knowledge and to share knowledge.  At the heart of the academic process is the principal of academic honesty.  Oklahoma State University expects its students to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors.  To steal the words or ideas of another, to cheat on exams or homework assignments, or to falsify the results of one’s research, corrupts the process by which knowledge is advanced and shared.

Academic Dishonesty Definition

Academic Dishonesty is behavior in which an intentionally fraudulent attempt is made to gain undeserved intellectual credit or advantage, either for oneself or another.

· Intentionally fraudulent - doing something one knows, or should know, is wrong, but do it anyway

 (Any time you do anything to earn points toward a grade in a class, make sure it is the result of your work, effort, and knowledge unless given other instructions by the instructor.)                  

Academic Misconduct

Academic Misconduct is an  unintentional violation of rules or standards such as failure to observe proper conduct during exams through ignorance, carelessness, etc. or not adhering to strict procedures for identification of sources in reports and essays.

Examples

Plagiarism - using someone else's words, ideas, or data without giving “proper” credit

· Cannot copy a few words or a sentence without giving “proper” credit

· Paraphrased ideas must be “properly” documented

· Information taken from internet sources must be “properly” cited

· Guidebooks to “properly” cite sources are available

· www.library.okstate.edu/research/style.htm for assistance in citing sources

Cheating During Examinations

· Copying from another student

· Allowing another student to copy

· Collaborating with another student during a test

· Using unauthorized materials during a test

· Taking a test for another student

Altering Academic Materials

· Changing answers on tests or homework

· Forging a signature on an academic document

· Altering a transcript

Unauthorized Collaboration on Projects

· Working with other students on homework assignments is not always allowed

· Individual assignments are to be completed individually - this means that students are not allowed to discuss or give any assistance

· Students taking engineering and computer science courses must be especially careful in following instructions given by faculty

Unauthorized Advance Access to an Exam

· Stealing a test

· Providing or receiving questions or answers to tests given at a later date or time

Cooperating with Another in an Academically Dishonest Activity

· Sharing completed work with another student

· Giving completed work from a previous course to another student

Failure to Protect One’s Work

 What Students Can Do

· Read the syllabus for each course - make a schedule for the semester

· Do Your Own Work

· Protect Your Work

· Ask the professor for clarification

· Refuse to get involved in dishonesty

Tips

· If you study with someone do not sit by them during exams/quizzes

· Friends and classmates get each other in trouble - do not give your work to a friend or lie for a friend

· If you miss the first day of class, ask the professor for a copy of the syllabus

· PLAN - allow enough time to get your work done

· ASK FOR HELP - from faculty, advisor, hall director, etc

 Procedure for faculty to use:

· Instructor contacts the student to discuss the situation

· Student is given the opportunity to respond - be honest

· If instructor decides to give an academic penalty, the decision is documented in writing

· Student can appeal if  s/he believes s/he has been wrongly accused

· Student is required to meet with the Student Conduct Officer

Consequences that faculty can impose:

· Complete substitute assignment or exam

· Reduced grade for assignment, exam, or course

· ‘F’ on assignment or course

Recommend:

· Probation

· Suspension - leave the university for one semester, one year, etc.

· Expulsion - leave the university and never return

· Discipline file in the Student Conduct Office

Appeal Process

If a student believes the allegation of academic dishonesty or misconduct to be false and/or the penalty unjustified, s/he may file an appeal with the University Academic Appeals Board, 101 Whitehurst, 744-5627.  Proper forms and instructions for appealing are available in 101 Whitehurst.  The appeal process must be initiated within ten (10) school days of receiving the written notice of action taken by the instructor; or if the incident occurs at the very end of the semester, within ten (10) school days of the beginning of the next scheduled semester.

Emotional and Other Effects

Being accused of academic dishonesty or academic misconduct is a very traumatic and stressful experience.  Students report they are unable to eat, sleep and study for other classes.  Academic dishonesty or misconduct does affect grades and may make a student ineligible to continue with school. 

Suspension from the University is always considered for a second incident of academic dishonesty.  For international students, grades and student status have an impact on immigration issues.

For more detailed information about OSU’s official policy statement on academic dishonesty, see the Policy 2-0822 http://home.okstate.edu/policy.nsf/483c0b76d56e01c2862562b100059b03/3222fe17f2bfca56862562e0005edef6!OpenDocument

and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior document  http://www.okstate.edu/ucs/srr.html. 

OSU Student Conduct Office

Division of Student Affairs

326 Student Union

Oklahoma State University

Stillwater, Oklahoma

(405) 744-5470

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