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Academic Honesty
Some students get into trouble for what is called "cheating" and "plagiarism." Cheating means receiving help on an assignment, quiz or examination that you are not supposed to receive. "Plagiarism" refers to the practice of copying from a book or other publication and not acknowledging that the words and ideas used are someone else's, not your own.
What Is Considered Cheating?
In general, students in the U.S. academic system are expected to do their own work without getting significant assistance from other people. This does not mean that you cannot ask other students to help with classwork. It is permissible and sometimes advisable to seek help in understanding what is happening in a class and what a specific assignment is about. It is not considered proper, though, to have someone else do an assignment for you, or copy information from a publication in a way that makes it appear that the answers are your own.
The following are also considered cheating:
- Copying an assignment from another student
- Copying answers to exam questions from other students
- Taking notes or books to an examination and secretly
referring to them while answering examination questions
(unless permitted by the teacher.) - Copying information from the internet without proper citation.
What are the consequences of cheating?
When cheating is detected, it has negative consequences for the student. These consequences might include:
- A failing grade for the examination or assignment on which the cheating took place
- A failing grade for the course in which the cheating occurred
- Expulsion from the course;
- Expulsion from the university
Be very careful not to plagiarize and if you have any questions consult the International Student Advisor before turning in work.
