ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: What OSU Faculty Should Know
In an academic community, faculty members play the most important role in maintaining academic standards. Faculty
have multiple opportunities to inform students about what academic dishonesty is, teach students ways to avoid
unintentional infractions, identify and confront violators, and serve as models of academic integrity.
Prevention
is the key. Faculty and students come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, giving rise to different
expectations of moral and ethical behavior. Well-defined and effectively communicated standards in the classroom reduce
uncertainty and clarify expectations.
What is the policy on academic dishonesty at OSU?
Academic dishonesty is prohibited and considered a violation of the Student Conduct Regulations. It
includes cheating, the intentional use of unauthorized materials, information, or study aids; fabrication, assisting in dishonesty
or tampering (intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of dishonesty or tampering with
evaluation instruments and documents); and plagiarism, intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another person's as one's own.
How are OSU students advised of expectations?
Students are advised of university expectations and procedures through the Academic
Regulations (See also student conduct regulations by subject.)
However, faculty should remind students of these expectations through syllabi and comments to classes. In addition, through
the student orientation program and general advising, students are encouraged to seek honest evaluations, develop sound study
habits, maintain integrity in their work, and get study skill assistance when needed.
What can Faculty do to help prevent academic dishonesty?
Use the first session of each course to review university standards, focus on definitions of academic dishonesty and clarify instructional
expectations-make it clear academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
Include in the course syllabus a statement alerting students to expectations and refer them to additional information of academic
dishonesty on the Student Conduct web site. Sample syllabus statements
Use a variety of evaluation tools to assess student performance. Using only one examination or paper puts excessive pressure on
students to perform and can breed academic dishonesty.
Avoid routine procedures such as using the same test each term or year and avoid using the same order for all questions on all
copies of examinations.
Prohibit students from bringing miscellaneous materials to testing sessions; this includes scratch paper, dictionaries, hats, and even cell phones.
Avoid take home examinations or out of class evaluation procedures unless student collaboration is desired.
Give different versions of exams to different class sections and avoid giving the same make-up exam.
Discuss with departmental office assistants the need for office security and keep examinations, grade books, etc. in a secure location.
Give essay tests instead of multiple choice tests when appropriate and when the size of the class permits.
Number exam copies and count the total distributed and returned. Also, provide "official" examination booklets, answer
sheets, and scratch paper, etc.
Require students to write their names in ink on examination booklets and require proper identification when examinations are turned
in.
Provide assigned seating in examinations so seat locations can be determined and prearranged groups of students prevented from
sitting near each other.
Arrange to have examinations sessions carefully and diligently proctored.
Advise students that a significant number of completed examinations are photocopied before being returned-this discourages altering
examinations for regrading.
Through the academic dean's office, advise student councils or other student governance groups of the number of academic dishonesty cases
and their outcome in order to achieve a deterrent effect.
What action can faculty take?
As stated in Academic Regulation 15 - Honesty In Academic Work:
The administration of the classroom rests with the instructor.
When evidence of academic dishonesty comes to the instructor's
attention, the instructor should:
(a) document the incident,
(b)
permit the accused student to provide a verbal and written explanation,
(c) advise the student of possible penalties, and
(d) take action. The instructor may impose any academic penalty up to and including an "F"
grade in the course after consulting with his or her department chair and informing the student of the action taken.
Using the standard forms (undergraduate students or graduate students), the instructor must report the incident and the
action taken to his or her department chair, who, in turn, shall forward the report to his or her dean. Refer to the reporting forms for procedures.
If the student is not enrolled in the college or school in which the course is offered, the dean of that college shall forward
the report to the dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled for possible further action (removal from major/school,
conduct probation, conduct suspension, etc.).
Grade penalties imposed as a result of academic dishonesty may be appealed by the student in accordance with the procedures
developed by the department and college or school in which the course is offered.
Are there internet sites that offer free plagiarism detection?
Please contact our office and we will share several links with you.
How can I avoid legal risks in reporting academic dishonesty?
Acts of alleged academic dishonesty should be reported in accordance with established procedures and evidence must be submitted to support
the claim. Basic due process procedures call for documenting the act in a professional manner, submitting the evidence, advising the student
of procedures, providing the student an opportunity to present their explanation both verbally and in writing, informing the student of the action taken, and adhering to other procedures that may be in place (reporting on
official form, departmental review of report, etc.).
Helpful links:
