Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

Division of Student Affairs

General

Honor Code:
Please familiarize yourself with the VCU honor policy. It can be accessed at the following site:http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/honor.html . Any form of cheating or plagiarism will be dealt with immediately and turned over to the office of Academic Integrity at the discretion of the instructor. You are responsible for understanding all forms of plagiarism; unintentional plagiarism is not acceptable. All writings turned in should be your own. Be careful to cite any source used in standard APA format. Please handwrite or sign the honor code on all assignments, quizzes and tests. This is a very serious issue and not to be taken lightly. Infractions can result in very severe consequences including a zero in the course, notations of honor violations in transcripts and records, honor probation and dismissal from the university. Do not cut and paste anything or attempt, in any way, to present work that is not your own. Do not take “screen shots” of Bb questions on tests/quizzes or seek to download and or transmit by any means quiz or test questions, for ANY reason.(psyc 451 - Donahue)

A word to the wise. Sometimes students may be less than truthful with the TA by pretending that they had computer problems, or that the LaunchPad system (or a Bb quiz) wasn’t working properly when actually the student didn’t do the activities or take the Lab Quiz within the proper time limits. So, a student sends the TA a less than truthful e-mail about supposed computer “issues” and asks for an extension or a redo. You should realize that there is an electronic record of all Bb online activity (that the TA can “look at your online activity” see exactly what you did, when you attempted what, and how much actual time you spent on each section and quickly assess whether or not you made a good faith effort within the proper guidelines or you are trying to scam the system. Being less than truthful to the TA or instructor is a violation of the VCU honor code. Don’t do this; the consequences can be quite severe. (PSYC 101 - Donahue)

Honor Code Clarification Please also review the section entitled: “VCU Honor System: Upholding Academic Integrity”. Course Policy: All assignments must be done individually without the assistance or input of others and without the use of previous documentation. Assignments include but are not limited to pre-laboratory readiness quizzes, notebooks, calculations, reports and report components such as Excel files, worksheets, and graphs. The work you submit must be yours and not the result of working with someone else inclusive of using previous documents related to this course or other aspects as clarified below. Clarification of Honor Code: It is a violation to possess, transfer, accept, or give current or previous documentation (hardcopy or electronic) related to this course to or from other students. It is a violation to give, receive, and/or attempt to receive or give unauthorized assistance, such as materials, devices, information, notes or sources on academic matters. Suspected honor code violations will be reported to the Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity for review. (CHEZ 309 - Hunnicutt)

Copying a solution from a solution manual for a course required text, prior exams, or prior homework, unless explicitly permitted by the instructor, is considered cheating. (EGMN 445 Miller)

Collaboration Versus Cheating

Where does collaboration stop and cheating begin? This is a question that has no definitive answer. It is somewhat complicated in that professional engineers routinely solve problems using methods that would be considered cheating in an academic environment; for example, if they don’t know or understand something they look it up or ask another engineer for help. However, in an academic environment, instructors have the responsibility to assess an individual student’s degree of understanding of the material.

In this course, collaboration is permitted in completing homework problems; that is, students can confer with one another in formulating methods for solving numerical problems and in identifying the answers to essay questions or multiple choice problems. You can even compare answers. However, the work you turn in must be your own, that is, simply copying another student’s solution to a numerical problem crosses the line to cheating. Submission of work indicates that you understand (or at least in good faith think you understand) what you have put down on paper. Perhaps the ultimate test for whether an act is cheating or not is your own conscience. Character is what you do when no one else is looking. If in your own mind you suspect that something is cheating, then don’t do it. Collaboration is never permitted on quizzes and exams, including take-home exams. (EGMN 445 Miller)

No device will be allowed to be used to perform the functions of a calculator that has wireless communication capability. Any use of an above described electronic device during quizzes or exams will be considered an Honor Violation. (EGRE 254 Klenke)

Please be proactive and keep me informed of any problems or personal situations which may affect your performance in class. I cannot make accommodations after-the- fact. (SCMA 302 Burch)

"Today I give you two examinations, one in trigonometry and one in honesty. I hope you pass them both, but if you must fail one, let it be trigonometry for there are many good men in this world today who cannot pass an examination in trigonometry, but there are no good men in the world who cannot pass an examination in honesty" (Madison Sarratt).

“All VCU students are presumed upon enrollment to have acquainted themselves with and have an understanding of the Honor System. Therefore, it is a student’s responsibility to ask course instructors to clarify expectations for each assignment in order to be in compliance with the Honor System.” Visit VCU Insider Student Handbook and Resource Guide” to read the Policy. Contact the instructor or an Integrity Officer in the Office of Judicial Affairs and Academic Integrity (828-1963) if you have any questions about the types of conduct that violate the Honor Code or are aware of an action that may have violated the Honor System. (ECON Millner)

Much academic work involves seeking out information and ideas from other sources and incorporating what you find into your own work. Be sure to provide credit whenever material is quoted directly, summarized, or paraphrased. In other words, provide credit not only for others’ language, but their ideas as well. This class will include instruction on how to maintain academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Handing in the same work for credit in multiple classes is an honor offense. Consult with your instructor if you have questions. Respect the work of others and in no way present it as your own. (UNIV McIntyre/Meier)

Naturally, you learn only when you do the work. Moreover, your personal integrity should matter to you. Evidence of possible cheating or plagiarism, not only definitive proof, requires me to refer your work to the Honor Council, no matter whether it was your intention or you simply have poor habits. (UNIV 200 Meier)

HGEN602, writing assignments: Policy on Plagiarism: Although ideas or language derived from discussions in the classroom or other discussions with the instructors do not need to be cited, all material, including but not limited to ideas and language, from all external sources must be cited. Additionally, all assignments must be completed by students working individually. Students are not allowed to have anyone other than the relevant module instructor check, revise, edit or comment on any aspect—conceptual or material—of any written assignment submitted in this course. Plagiarism (defined here as the use of others’ work without appropriate attribution or, more simply, taking credit for the work of others) is a very serious violation of the VCU Honor System and long-standing scientific ethical standards. Incidences of possible plagiarism will be reported to the VCU Academic Council as required by VCU policy (see item 4 below). All assignments up-loaded to Blackboard in this course are checked for plagiarism by SafeAssign and become part of the SafeAssign database. (HGEN 602 Grotewiel)

Students are to work individually unless instructed otherwise, and all work submitted for a grade is expected to be that of the student submitting the work. The Department of Chemistry follows the VCU Honor Policy, and all violations of that policy will be handled through the VCU Honor System.

Collaboration vs Cheating
It is normal and often encouraged for students to work together to complete assignments; however, it can sometimes be difficult for students to tell when they have crossed the line between collaboration and cheating. When completing homework in a group, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Did I focus on my own homework assignment the whole time? If one student in the group solves the problem and puts up their solution on a white board or if you look at their homework assignment and copy the answer, then that is cheating.
  • When I got stuck and a group member helped me find the solution, did they just give me the solution or did they give me a nudge in the right direction? Often, if you get stuck, it’s more instructive to talk about what you did to solve the problem so far and why you are stuck (i.e., stating what equation you used, or what values you used).
  • If I had to do this problem again on my own and with different values, would I be able to do it?
  • Did I contribute equally to my group?

It is also possible that students, particularly high-achieving students, take on too much, become stressed or anxious, and resort to behavior that does not align with the VCU Honor System. Many students experience stressful situations during college and there are several resources available on campus to help. Before resorting to dishonest behavior, students can:

  1. Go to the Writing Center
  2. Go to TA or professor office hours
  3. Request a tutor from School of Engineering Student Services
  4. Go to a supplemental instruction session

It’s important to be proactive. That may mean starting homework as soon as it is assigned so that it doesn’t pile up. The recommended academic sanction for a 1st time honor code violation is an F in the course and a note on your transcript of the violation. A low grade on an assignment is better than an F in a course.

References:

https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-professor-blog/collaboration-
cheating-distinctions/

https://students.vcu.edu/studentconduct/vcu-honor-system/academic-misconduct-/ Syllabus Statement – “Managing Stress” (EGRB 102 Pepperl)

Re-read the "Acknowledgement of VCU Honor System Policies for Econ 501" in the course syllabus. (A copy of the syllabus is available at the course Blackboard site.)

  • Remember that this is pledged work. Work completely on your own. Do not communicate with anyone besides me about these questions until I have distributed a key; this admonition includes even comments such as "Question 3 looked hard but was really easy."
  • Remember that it is a violation of the honor policy for this course to answer graded problem sets making any use of copies of keys to problem sets distributed in previous semesters of Econ 501 or Econ 401. (ECON 501 Harless)

Honor Policy
Any student suspected of violating the VCU Honor Policy will be turned in by the professor. Potential violations will be investigated by the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity and they will make the final determinations (and sanctions if found responsible).

All assignments are to be done individually, unless otherwise instructed. Collaboration on Sapling pre-lab assignments, pre-lab write-ups, full lab reports, and mini-lab reports is not allowed. Any students suspected of working with others on assignments will be reported. During tests, students may not look at other students’ test papers, use cell phones or other electronic devices, including programmable calculators, or use other materials to aid in taking the test. The only exception is the Notebook Test, where students may use their own lab notebooks for the test.

Here are some examples of actions that violate the honor policy. Many things not included in this list could also constitute honor violations. When in doubt, ask the professor!

  • Using another student’s lab notebook at any point during the semester
  • Giving someone your lab report to look at for any reason (There are example reports on Blackboard if you need help with formatting)
  • Looking at another student’s lab report
  • Asking or telling a student the answers to questions asked on lab reports
  • Asking or telling a student the answers to Sapling Learning assignments
  • Using a past student’s old lab reports
  • Using data that is not what you wrote down in the lab (data must be found in your notebook).

(CHEZ 301 & 302 Franklin)

I will not tolerate cheating of any kind. You may study with other students, but your answers must be your own. Copying from books or websites is considered plagiarism. “…all members of the VCU community are presumed to have an understanding of the VCU Honor System.” (ECON 315 Nunes)

Honor Policy: The academic campus at VCU operates under an Honor System. The Honor System is described at http://www.students.vcu.edu/rg/policies/honor.html. Students should understand the types of conduct that are deemed unacceptable. Students must not cheat, plagiarize, abuse academic materials, steal, or lie. Here are specific instructions for this course regarding conformance with the Honor Policy.

  • Practice problem sets are ungraded and, hence, you may work together if you wish. But do so understanding that the knowledge gained from learning how to solve econometric problems on these practice questions is critical to doing well on the graded problem sets and the take-home exams.
  • Answers to in-class discussion questions, take-home graded problem sets, and midterm and final exams must be completed entirely on your own; do not communicate with anyone besides me about these assignments or exams until I have distributed a key or returned the graded problem set or exam.
  • I require that every student sign and return to me the acknowledgment of the VCU Honor System policies specific to this course. (ECON 501 Harless)

Acknowledgment of VCU Honor System Policies for Econ 501
Spring 2018.

By signing below, I am acknowledging each of the following points:

  • I understand that, given the nature of this course, graded, take-home homework problem sets are essential to learning. Thus, I understand that adherence to the Honor Policy is extraordinarily important to the success of this course.
  • I understand that my work on take-home graded problem sets must be done completely on my own. I understand that I am prohibited from communicating with anyone besides my instructor about a graded problem set until after the instructor distributes the key to the problem set.
  • I understand that it is a violation of the honor policy for this course to answer graded problem sets making any use of copies of keys to homework problems distributed in previous semesters of this course.
  • I understand that my work on the midterm and final exams must be entirely my own and that I cannot communicate with anyone about these exams until after a key to the exam has been distributed by the instructor.
  • I understand that my instructor will make a formal Honor System Violation Allegation to the Office of Judicial Affairs & Academic Integrity in any instance that he detects reasonable evidence of a violation of these policies.
  • I understand that the standard punishment for a violation of the honor policy is an assigned grade of “F” for the course. I understand that grades so assigned may not be voided by withdrawal from the course, withdrawal from the University, or by repeating the course. I also understand that a transcript notation shall be placed for this sanction.

_____________________________________
Printed Name

____________________________________ ___________________
Signature Date
(ECON 501 Harless)

It is better to miss the answer than to be dishonest. (EGRM 515 Sexton)

In this class, because coursework will be collaborative at times, particular issues of integrity arise. You should not copy or print another student's work without permission. Any material (this includes ideas and language) from another source must be credited, whether that material is quoted directly, summarized or paraphrased. You should always respect the work of others and in no way present it as your own, which is plagiarism. (MASC 465 Bajkiewicz)

IBMS690, writing assignments: All students are expected to uphold all aspects of the VCU code of student conduct and honor system. Of particular relevance to this course is the VCU honor system’s prohibiton on plagiarism. Plagiarism is the use of ideas, concepts, words or additional products of others without proper attribution or credit. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, copying and then editing text from public or private sources, even sources previously generated by the same student. All assignments in this course will be checked against a large database of published documents and former student assignments for plagiarized content as part of the submission process on Blackboard. Instances of suspected plagiarism, other academic dishonesty, or other violations of the code of student conduct will be reported to the VCU Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. Follow the link below for more information about the VCU honor system. (IBMS 690 Grotewiel)

USING GOOGLE TRANSLATE, SpanishDict OR ANY OTHER TRANSLATION PROGRAM IS FORBIDDEN, AS IS RECEIVING UNAUTHORIZED HELP FROM ADVANCED SPANISH PROGRAM STUDENTS AND/OR NATIVE OR HERITAGE SPANISH SPEAKERS. Using such resources constitutes an Honor Code violation and if you are caught, charges will be filed against you. Instead of cheating, USE THE GRAMMAR AND THE VOCABULARY THE BOOK PRESENTS TO YOU AND THAT WE USE IN CLASS. PRACTICE WHAT YOU ARE LEARNING. Every assignment is designed for you to use the material you are learning in class, so you should not look elsewhere for how to complete your work. (Spanish, Middlebrooks)

Some examples of Honor Code or Student Code of Conduct violations relevant to this course include the following:

  • taking photos or video of cadavers or preserved human organs
  • possessing a copy, or using someone else's copy, of an old test or exam to study.
  • sharing information about questions on a quiz, test, or exam
  • attempting and/or completing graded online assessments with another student, friend, or family member, except when permission to collaborate with another student is explicitly given.
  • removing lab materials from the lab or Open Lab; this is also a VCU Police report
  • claiming that points for an online assignment were not recorded when, in fact, the student never logged into the online system; student activity logs can be checked online to offer evidence for lying
  • cheating or lying in any way related to quizzes, tests, exams, clicker points or usage, or any other form of assessment
  • signing in someone during Open Lab who is not an enrolled student.

(BIOL 205 Cario/Watkinson)

It is important to report every suspected incident of academic misconduct to ensure consistency across courses and departments, due process rights, appropriate response to repeated academic misconduct, and protection from unfounded allegations of misconduct. To report a potential academic integrity violation, please visit the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity website at https://students.vcu.edu/studentconduct/. More information can be found at in the VCU policy library at https://policy.vcu.edu/ or in the VCU School of Pharmacy Student Handbook. (PCEU 508 Gerk)