207 Cheating and Plagiarism

Just as complete honesty should be the Professor's standard in his or her presentation of material, this same standard should be demanded from students when they respond for purpose of evaluation through tests, reports, projects, and term papers.  Every professor has the responsibility to inculcate in students the ideal of academic honesty and to take all practical precautions against its violation.

Improper academic conduct on the part of the student shall be interpreted to mean the obtaining and using of information during an examination by means other than those permitted by the instructor, including the supplying of such information to other students.  Improper academic conduct shall also include plagiarism, i.e., the purchase and use of ghost-written papers and reports, or incorporating into a report, term theme, research paper, or project, ideas and information obtained from another person without giving credit to the person from whom such information was obtained.  Further, inclusion of the published or unpublished writings of another person without duly noting these sources according to normal scholarly procedures shall be considered plagiarism. No material prepared to meet the requirements in one course may be used to fulfill the requirements in another without permission of the instructor. The above definition of academic misconduct applies equally to improper use of electronic sources of information and opinion.

All faculty members should promote academic honesty, not only through their own high standards of scholarly conduct, but also by anticipating conditions which may lead to dishonesty on the student's part.  Suspicion is not a sound basis for a healthy educational environment, and the professor must judge those instances where his or her trust will encourage responsibility rather than cheating.

Specific ways in which dishonesty may be discouraged include:

  1. Testing in such a way that cheating is difficult.  This may be enhanced by avoiding purely objective tests.  Professors should also monitor the classroom during testing.  Allowing only school or departmental secretaries to type and duplicate tests.  Allowing student assistants to handle testing materials sometimes places them in a compromising position where students intent on cheating exert pressures to supply advance information.
  2. Safeguarding tests until the time they are to be administered.   Tests should never be left in an unlocked office.
  3. Using student assistants to grade only simple, uncritical tests or laboratory work.  All major tests, papers, and final examinations should be graded by the professor.
  4. Discouraging term papers, research papers, or projects which are merely a re-statement of printed material.  Personal interpretation and evaluation should be required.
  5. Designing paper assignments in such a way that completion can only be accomplished satisfactorily by reference to material specific to the course.
  6. Adequately preparing students to the proper method of adapting source material.
  7. Conducting private conferences both before and after written reports are made to insure that the student understands proper procedures and to evaluate the student's assimilation of material.

In cases of obvious or suspected dishonesty, the professor should, in private consultation, confront the student with the evidence and determine and enforce the penalty if a penalty is warranted.   The outcome may consist of a change in grade which can range from the lowering of a grade for a particular class project or test to failure for the course.  The student may appeal this action through regular administration channels to the Appeals Subcommittee of the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

In addition to, or in lieu of, a grade penalty, the faculty member may refer the matter to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs for resolution in the discipline system of the University.  A student has the right to appeal an unfavorable decision through the appeals procedure outlined in the Student Conduct Code and Disciplinary Procedures (see these procedures in the Student Handbook.)

Academic Honor at West Georgia

At West Georgia, the student is urged to seek truth and beauty in and for themselves, as well as skills needed for a productive life.  Academic honesty is essential in preserving one's own integrity, the intgrity of the institution, and in gaining a true education.  The West Georgia student pledges not to lie, cheat, or steal in the pursuit of his or her studies and is encouraged to report those who do.