Academic Dishonesty

College deans may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of Academic Dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in any course at this college. Plagiarism and other forms of cheating are examples of such dishonesty and will result in serious consequences. Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s words as your own, whether in writing or in speaking.

You are plagiarizing if you:

1. Use direct quotes without quotation marks and textual citation of the
   material;
    
2. Paraphrase without crediting the source;
    
3. Present another’s ideas as your own without citing the source;
    
4. Submit material written by someone else as your own (this includes purchasing or borrowing a
   paper);
    
5. Submit a paper or assignment for which you have received so much help that the writing style is
   significantly different from your own.
    
6. Participate in a group project which presents plagiarized material;
    
7. Fail to provide adequate citations for information obtained through electronic
   research;
    
8. Download or submit work from electronic sources without citation

You are cheating if you:

1. Partially or wholly copy someone else’s exam or homework;
    
2. Allow another student to copy your work or submit work you have written as his/her own;
    
3. Refer to any text, notes, other materials, or any other type of assistance including electronic devices, during an exam without authorization to do so;
    
4. Submit a paper or assignment for which you have received so much help that the writing style is significantly different from your own;
    
5. Pass test answers to another student during or before a test. Cheating and plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, are serious offenses.

Consequences include:

1. Disciplinary Action by the Instructor: An instructor who suspects you of plagiarism or cheating must inform you of the allegation as soon as possible. If the instructor comes to the conclusion that the student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the instructor will determine what action to take. The instructor may decide to give you a zero for the assignment, may reduce your grade for the course, or even assign an F for the course. The instructor may send a written report of the case to inform the Dean or Authorized College Official, and may request additional disciplinary action; a copy is sent to the student.
    
2. Student Appeal: If you believe that the finding of plagiarism or cheating is in error or the penalty unjust, you may appeal to the Dean or Authorized College Official. The appeal will be processed in accordance with Section 2-200 of the Student Code of Conduct. An informal hearing will be held and an Administrative Disposition will be presented to the student. Further appeal information is included in the Student Code of Conduct located in the Student Handbook.

Alternatives: Academic dishonesty is unnecessary, especially since there are alternatives.
 

1. If you are unsure about the proper use of sources, or the extent to which collaboration on an assignment is allowed, talk with the instructor;
    
2. Consult a recognized handbook for instruction on citing source materials;
    
3. Contact the Skills Center (MCC), Writing Center (SCC), or Academic Success Center (CCC).

Note: Material adapted from handouts of the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and University of
Delaware.