Student Resources

Proactive Strategies to Ensure You Uphold the Academic Honesty Policy

1. Familiarize yourself with the University’s Code of Conduct, especially for information regarding academic honesty.
2. Check each course syllabus for information regarding course expectations. Faculty members may have additional information beyond the University’s standards. If you cannot find a written section in the syllabus, ask the faculty member what their expectations are.
3. Prepare yourself thoroughly for examinations and assignments.
4. Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying your exam or assignments by shielding your work. In exams, if you feel someone is trying to copy from you, ask the proctor if you may move.
5. Do not look around, particularly in the direction of other students’ papers, during an exam since it may appear you are trying to copy from others.
6. Do not make any marks on a graded exam if there is any chance you may submit it for a re-grade. Make notations on a separate paper.
7. Do not share assignments you have finished with other students. Do not leave your finished assignments in a place where another student might be able to copy them.
8. Do not share your current or former assignments, projects, papers, etc. with other students to use as guides for their work. Such a practice could lead to claims of collaboration if another student uses your work, partially or entirely. Sometimes friendly assistance may escalate into claims of blatant dishonesty.
9. When taking an exam, be certain you know what authorized materials are permitted (e.g., textbook, formula sheet, scrap paper, calculator). Ensure you bring only authorized materials.
10. Should there be any doubt, clarify with your instructor how much collaboration, if any, is permitted or expected when working on projects or assignments with other students.
11. When working on a collaborative exercise, complete all written assignments individually unless the instructor specifically tells you otherwise.
12. Acknowledge the contributions of other students on collaborative projects by citing their name(s) on all written work turned into the instructor.
13. When completing take-home exams, do not collaborate with other persons unless approved by the instructor.
14. Consult with the University Writing Center, talk with your professor, or use a recognized handbook for instruction on citing source materials.
15. Protect your computer login identifications and passwords. Other students could use them to access your work and subsequently implicate you in a cheating case.
16. Do not allow anyone to copy or use your file storage devices (such as flash or USB drives).
17. Check with your instructor and get permission before turning in a paper or project you submitted in another course.
18. Keep rough drafts and copies of your work for reference or as support should, concerns of dishonesty arise.
19. Encourage honesty among other students.
20. Refuse to assist students who cheat.