Academic HonestyDon’t Cheat Yourself!

Dean of Students Office

David Rachita, Interim Dean of Students

The DOS office in collaboration with students, faculty staff and administrators have set community standards that seek to develop an environment that is

inclusive, welcoming, safe and supportive. As a student, you are responsible to familiarize yourself with all university-related policies and procedures. If you have

questions about a UHCL policy or procedure, please contact us.

Deanofstudents@uhcl.edu www.uhcl.edu/deanofstudents 281-283-2567

Preamble and Code Academic honesty is the cornerstone of the academic integrity of the university. It is the foundation upon which the student builds personal integrity and establishes a standard of personal behavior. The University can best function and accomplish its mission in an atmosphere of the highest ethical standards. The University expects and encourages all students to contribute to such an atmosphere by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. This policy is designed to encourage honest behavior and is jointly administered by faculty and students.

Honesty Code The Honesty Code is the university community’s standard of honesty and is endorsed by all members of the University of Houston-Clear Lake academic community. It is an essential element of the University’s academic credibility. It states:

I will be honest in all my academic activities and will not tolerate dishonesty.

Complete policy found in the Student Life Policy Handbook, Academic Honesty Policy

UHCL Academic Honesty Code

Quotes to Ponder• It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to

explain why you did it wrong. ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

• Character is higher than intellect. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

• It's discouraging to think how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit. ~Noël Coward, Blithe Spirit

Academic Honesty – What is it?What does this mean?

Student Responsibility1. Will not cheat….at all!2. Will report cheating….by anyone!

Faculty Responsibility1. To create an environment where cheating is difficult.2. To confront a student when cheating is expected.3. To report cheating to the Dean of the school and the

Dean of Students

What is Cheating?

Thesaurus words for "cheat":

bamboozle, bamboozlement, befool, beguile, bilk, blackleg, boodle, charlatan, cheater, cheating, chicanery, chiseler, con, con man, counterfeit, cozen, crook, deceit, deceive, deception, defraud, defrauder, delude, dishonesty, dodge, double-cross, evade, fake, falsify, fiddle, finagle, fishy transaction, flam, fleece, flimflam, fool, forgery, frame-up, fraud, fraudulence, fudge, gerrymandering, gouge, hoax, hoodwink, imitation, impostor, imposture, lie, mace, mislead, mock, overreach, pack the deal, paste, phony, racket, ream, rip off, rip-off, rogue, rook, scam, screw, sham, shark, shave, shoddy, shortchange, skin, slick, stack the cards, stick, swindle, swindler, trick, trickery,

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0. http://www.dictionary.net/cheat

Academic dishonesty is defined as cheating of any kind,including misrepresenting one's own work, taking creditfor the work of others without crediting them and without appropriate authorization, and the fabrication of information.

Source: Academic Integrity Office. “Academic Integrity Code”. The George Washington University, September 24, 2009. http://www.gwu.edu/~ntegrity/code.html#definition

What is Cheating?• Acquiring & Providing Information - Sharing data, files, old

assignments, tests and receiving the same.

• Plagiarism – Not acknowledging another person’s work. Copy/Pasting without citing-documenting work (at all or incorrectly) in whole or part. Copying computer code/programs and taking credit for work.

• Group Work – (1) allowing another group member to cheat/plagiarize, whether knowingly or not. Most professors will hold you responsible for another group member’s work. (2) Working as a group and turning in results as individuals.

• Anything you do out of dishonesty!

10. Improper Citations•Not aware of how to do so properly; NOT AN EXCUSS•MUST always give credit for direct quotes and original ideas•Must use an approved citation method (MLA, APA, Chicago)•Ask the Writing Center

9. Misunderstanding How to Paraphrase•MUST cite/document paraphrased ideas/words of another person•By not doing so, it looks like (1) it was your idea, or (2) you stole it

8. Misuse of Internet Resources•ANYTHING and EVERYTHING from the web must be cited•Journal articles/resources found on web MUST be cited as coming from the web•There is a special way to cite web sites (e.g. including the URL)•Wikipedia is NOT a good source of information

Top 10 Ways to a Violation

7. Not Understanding Your Professor’s Expectations•Changes from professor to professor; Ask if you don’t know•Expectations listed in syllabus•Professors ASSUME and EXPECT that you already know how to cite/document

6. Not Checking Your Work before Turning It In•Don’t finish the paper the night before! You get sloppy and make mistakes.•Use tools to help find plagiarized material. www.writecheck.com

5. Not Checking Your Group Members’ Work •You ARE responsible for your group members’ work. Fair or not!•Check each other’s work and references. Check for PROPER citations.•Ask professor about group work expectations.•Speak with professor if your group member will not correct plagiarism.

4. Sharing Papers, projects, homework, solutions, exams, quizzes•Difference between helping a friend AND cheating for a friend.•Do your own work.•Do not share your old work, homework, papers, etc.•Do not accept forwarded past or current work of others.•Confiscated emails are held against you as proof of cheating…Intentional or Not!

3. Sharing Computer/E-mail Accounts•We were taught to share in Kindergarten! But not with your academic work.•Do not share passwords. Make passwords strong.•If sharing computers, set up separate accounts, password protected.•Do not store your files on the shared computer or in your email account. Get a jump drive.•Use your UHCL email account for school business.

2. Poor Time Management•“I didn’t have time” is not an excuse for cheating/plagiarism•Regardless of outside responsibilities, school is a full time job. PERIOD.

1. Thinking You Won’t Get Caught•Don’t fool yourself.•Faculty are looking for it!•You gamble away your career, financial aid, graduation, visa, etc.

Reading and Note-Taking•Use “codes” to mark quotes, sources, URLS, paraphrases, insights (Q, S, ME)

Writing Paraphrases or Summaries•Bring attention to paraphrases using intro statements

1. According to Rachita (2003)…; 2. In 1990 Rachita reported that…;3. UHCL is taking strong steps in combating dishonesty (Rachita, 1986)4. Write your thoughts on the text without looking at the author’s words.

Compare.

Writing Direct Quotes•Directly quote no more material than necessary.•List sources next to quotes in your draft to confirm/list in final paper.•Keep the author’s name in the quote to make it apparent.

Tips to Protect Yourself

Source: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/03/

Excuses that Don’t Work• I was just copying my notes. (use codes)

• I couldn’t find the source. (don’t be sloppy)

• I thought we didn’t have to quote facts. (When in doubt, cite!)

• I was asked to write a lit/research review. (Still have to cite.)

• I had a family emergency. (I’m sorry, but it’s not an excuse.)

• I got the information from a friends paper (two problems here!)

• My other professors said to do it differently. (check w/ each professor)

• It was just a draft. (responsible for citing, regardless)

• I’ve never learned this before. (better learn now!)

How not to be Accused of Cheating

• Do your own work.

• Do not share computers, storage devices, passwords.

• Only use UHCL email address for school work.

• Don’t take your cell phone to quizzes/tests/exams.

• Keep bags, coats, etc. at front of room.

• Bring your photo ID with you.

• Learn how to document/cite sources.

• Shield your exam papers. Keep eyes on your test!

• Don’t communicate with other students during tests.

• Keep your group accountable. Be aware.

• Do not pass old/current work via email.

• Report files being shared if you receive them.

What happens if I am accused of cheating?

• Be honest and admit fault if you are at fault.

• Do not beg for forgiveness.

• Meet with professor to understand the accusation.

• Sign the Academic Violation Form indicating you either (1) accept the charges, or (2) deny the charges.

Violations – What does this mean?1. Professor suspects you of cheating.2. Professor fills out a violation form explaining the violation.3. Student and professor meet to discuss infraction.4. Professor can either cancel the accusation or move forward with the

violation.5. Student must sign the form indicating they are aware of the accusation.

There are two options:

(a) accept the violation and penalty (sanctions), or(b) not accept and appeal to a council hearing.

*First violations that are accepted by the student are simply filed.

*Second violations go straight to a council hearing.

Sanctions – What are they?A sanction is the penalty imposed on the student for cheating.

After determining that the student has violated the Honesty Code, the instructor may impose one of the following sanctions:

1. Require the student to complete another assignment. 2. Assign a grade of F or zero on the assignment. 3. Assign a final grade penalty for the course.

Greater Sanctions of probation, suspension, or expulsion can be imposed depending the severity of the violation and whether or not it is a repeat violation.

Complete policy found in the Student Life Policy Handbook, Academic Honesty Policy

Cheating is a Gamble.

You either get caught, or lose your credibility. Either way, you lose.

Is it worth the risk?

RESOURCES

• Questions/Answers: Visit the Dean of Students, SSCB 1201, deanofstudents@uhcl.edu

• VAIL Tutor - Virtual Academic Integrity Library http://www-apps.umuc.edu/vailtutor/index.html

• Paper Check – www.writecheck.com

• Writing Center• Library