One of the most important ways to
encourage academic integrity is to discuss academic integrity
with your students at the start of the semester. There should
be a statement in your syllabus explaining the Honor Code and
the importance of academic integrity. It is suggested that the
syllabus statement concerning academic integrity contain five
parts:
A statement explaining what
the Honor Code is and the importance of upholding it.
A statement detailing your
commitment to academic integrity, and how you will respond
to violations of the Honor Code.
A statement explaining what
types of actions are considered to be academically dishonest.
A statement explaining what
a student should do if they feel they have witnessed an
academically dishonest act.
An invitation to all students
to come and speak with you concerning issues of academic
integrity. |
All five of these items play an
important role in curbing academic dishonesty in the classroom.
Informing students of the Honor Code at the start of the semester
reminds them of its presence and its importance. Letting students
know that you are committed to academic integrity and will respond
to violations of the Honor Code allows students to understand,
ahead of time, what your reaction will be and how you will proceed.
Informing students of what types of acts are academically dishonest
educates and clarifies for them exactly what is expected of them
as students in your classroom. Letting students know and encouraging
students to inform you of academically dishonest acts lets the
students know that in your classroom you are committed to seeing
everyone become involved in upholding and fostering academic integrity.
Finally, offering to speak with students concerning academic integrity
lets them know that you are foremost an educator and want to help
educate them about academic integrity.
We have prepared a sample syllabus statement that faculty members
may incorporate either in part or whole into their syllabus.
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Academic integrity is an essential part of any
institution of learning. Here at Radford University we have
an Honor Code. An Honor Code expects that students will
conduct themselves in an ethical way while in residence
at the University. The Honor Code outlines certain actions
or activities that are not consistent with the manner in
which you are expected to act. They are:
- Lying
- Stealing and possessing unauthorized material
- Cheating
- Fabrication and Falsification
- Multiple Submission
- Abuse of Academic Material
- Complicity in Academic Dishonesty
- Plagiarism
The Honor Code provides
an essential framework that guides our actions during the
classroom learning experience. The Honor Code, and an individuals
commitment to the Honor Code, allow us to put trust in each
other. That trust is vital to the learning experience.
I am deeply committed to fostering an environment of academic
integrity in this classroom. Suspected acts of academic
dishonesty will be investigated and reported as is consistent
with the policies of Radford University. Students who feel
that they have witnessed an academically dishonest act are
invited to speak with me. I will hold your confidence as
long as I am able, and will only break that confidence with
your permission.
If you are unclear, at anytime, about the RU Honor Code
and what it expects of you please come and speak with me.
Together we will find the answers to your questions so that
our classroom of academic integrity may continue.
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To download a copy of this syllabus statement in
MS Word format please click here.
The Center
for Academic Integrity has a syllabus posted from Bill Taylor
of Oakton Community College. The syllabus is an excellent example
of a faculty member taking a proactive approach to curbing academic
dishonesty. You may access the letter by clicking
here. Permission has been granted for reproduction.
