The Office of Academic Initiatives and Integrity works to protect the value of students’ learning experiences, degrees earned, and reputation of the University of Arkansas as an institution of higher learning and the flagship of the state. Several campus-wide initiatives are part of the ongoing effort to create a culture of honesty and personal and professional responsibility among members of the University community.
The University defines academic dishonesty as, “any act by which a student gains or attempts to gain an academic advantage for him/herself or another by misrepresenting his/her or another’s work or by interfering with the independent completion, submission, or evaluation of academic work.” This includes copying, plagiarizing, falsifying attendance/participation, and collaborating without permission. Talk to your student about the quality and ownership of their work inside and outside of the classroom; because any dishonest act, intentional or not, can carry consequences.
The University of Arkansas’ sanction rubric defines specific violations and the associated repercussions of each. There are four levels of violations that increase in severity of sanctions. The lowest level violation (Level 0) results in a letter of reprimand, whereas the highest violation (Level 3) can result in expulsion. To view the sanction rubric, click here.
To assist you in talking with your student about academic integrity, we recommend the following tips:
- Review the policy. Understanding and adhering to the values of academic integrity is the sole responsibility of individual students as members of the University community. Make sure you both understand what constitutes academic dishonesty and the potential consequences outlined in the sanction rubric.
- Plagiarism is the most common academic integrity violation. Remind your student to utilize University resources, like the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS+), if they need help citing sources in MLA, APA, or other styles. The library also offers helpful information.
- Encourage your student to ask for clarification from professors about working with others on assignments. The rules for collaboration vary from class to class and students need to be clear on those expectations so as to avoid potential allegations of academic dishonesty.
- Remind your student when taking tests that they should put away all materials not authorized for use. A phone or notebook sitting on the desk or in their lap could be seen as an attempt to cheat, even if they are not using it. Remember, intent does not matter!
- Be aware that materials provided to students from faculty (e.g. PowerPoint slides, notes, handouts, etc.) are subject to copyright protections. As such, students should be cautious of distributing, whether for profit or not, these materials.
- Encourage your student to schedule time during the week to study and work on upcoming assignments. Often students succumb to the pressure of looming deadlines and make poor decisions in order to meet them. Planning ahead can prevent this, and CLASS+provides tips and tools for students to manage time and stress.
- Remind your student that recycling work from a previous class is considered academically dishonest, unless given consent from their professor.
For more information about academic integrity, contact Academic Initiatives and Integrity at honesty@uark.edu or visit http://honesty.uark.edu.