Academic Integrity Policy

Cheating and plagiarism are serious offenses against the University’s Academic Integrity Policy and are consequently strictly prohibited.  All students must familiarize themselves with the University policy on Academic Integrity. Regardless of the medium in which they are submitted, the University expects that all assignments, research projects, lab reports, papers, theses, dissertations, examinations and any other work submitted for academic credit will be the result of the student’s own intellectual efforts. Similarly, work submitted for a course or for any other academic purpose is expected to have been generated specifically for that course and that course only. For collaborative work, obviously, the cohort’s or group’s efforts are expected.

Plagiarism can take several forms: generally, it is the practice of taking someone else’s work or ideas and passing them off as one’s own.1 This use may be either intentional or unintentional. NOTE: It is incumbent upon the student to be able to properly cite the private intellectual property utilized as research sources in their papers. For assistance, please see:

http://libguides.sullivan.edu/plagiarism

Consequently, unintentional plagiarism is still plagiarism. Students should be aware that all Sullivan University professors have access to anti-plagiarism software. Therefore, students should discuss any potential plagiarism issues with their instructors before submitting their work.

Cheating and Plagiarism may also manifest itself as:

  • failing to cite an author for whose ideas have been incorporated into a student's paper;
  • cutting and pasting different internet web site or database text in a paper or using a purchased paper;
  • facilitating another student to use your work;
  • copying another’s work with or without their knowledge;
  • using a hand-held device such as a calculator to store notes, formulae, etc. when an instructor does not allow such aid on an exam;
  • using notes and/or other aids that are prohibited on an exam;
  • submission of the same work to different classes (AKA self-plagiarism);
  • and, any other method by which a student gains an unfair advantage.
     
Cheating and plagiarism are unfair to all students: it rewards those who put forth less than a full effort and penalizes those who use only traditional means of preparing for and taking an exam or writing a paper.  It does not provide the grader with an accurate representation of the student’s knowledge or ability to complete the assignment. 

Penalties for students found guilty of plagiarism or cheating may include one or more of the following: 

  • a failing grade for the assignment or exam;
  • a failing grade for the course and a letter of explanation included in the student's permanent academic file;
  • expulsion from the University.

1Stevenson, A., & Lindberg, C. A. (Eds.). (2010). New Oxford American dictionary (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Updated 6-9-2011