Student Resources
- Jump to Information about:
- Definition of Academic Dishonesty
- How to cite correctly
- How to avoid being accused
- What happens if accused
- What happens if found responsible
Dishonesty comes with a price. Not only does it undermine the very principles of our academic community, but it also leads to serious consequences. A frequent outcome of a first instance of cheating is course failure. The standard penalty for two acts of dishonesty is suspension from the university.
Familiarizing yourself with the Academic Honesty policy is the best way to avoid committing any offenses. The policy covers a great many things, and ignorance of the rules is not a valid defense. You probably knew that plagiarism and cheating are obviously offenses, but did you know that hiding library books to disadvantage other students is also a violation of the policy?
Be aware that academic dishonesty also includes things that aren't explicitly written into the text, so be sure to always ask your professor if you think that something you are considering doing might be considered academically dishonest. Do not rely on your own reading or interpretation of the policy.
Definition
- What constitutes academic dishonesty at the University of Rochester?
- Academic dishonesty can involve a wide range of offenses. Our policy lists several types of offenses, including (but not limited to):
- Plagiarism
- Copying papers
- Copying answers on exams
- Any other act that represents someone else's work as your own
- Misuse of library materials such as the removal of books from the libraries without formally checking out the items, or the intentional hiding of materials, or the refusal to return reserve readings to the library, etc.
- Obtaining an exam prior to its administration
- Using unauthorized aid during an examination
- Altering answers on graded exams and submitting them for regrading
- Copying data from other students' labs or research projects
- Using labs or assignments from previous semesters or from other students and submitting them for credit
- Copying answers from online answer keys
- Turning in identical work on collaborative assignemnts
Academic dishonesty is not limited to those offenses listed above. The best course of action if you're not sure if what you're doing constitutes academic dishonesty is to ask first. Ask via e-mail if possible, and save a copy of the response.
How do I cite?
- Use the following tips to make sure you stay within the boundaries of academic integrity:
- Browse through this online Research Guide for Students.
- Click here to find out hwat to do if you encounter your idea in a source.
- Be sure that you follow the citation method required for your academic discipline (MLA, APA, etc; if you don't know which to use, always ask).
- Be sure to cite websites correctly. Because many books don't have up-to-date sections on web citations, consult the Study Guides and Strategies website for a range of acceptable citation styles across different academic disciplines.
- If a professor or TA tells you specifically to use material verbatim from a lab manual or some other reference without quoting it, make very certain that this is exactly what they want. Clarify the issue through an e-mail and save the e-mail.
When do I need to reference someone else's ideas in a paper?
Where can I find additional resources on plagiarism and how to avoid it?
How do I avoid being accused of cheating on an exam?
Even if you're not cheating on an exam, you might be accused of cheating if you act suspiciously. Avoid conflict and protect yourself by following these tips:
- Don't bring a backpack or other unnecessary bags to the exam, or set them far away from you.
- Make sure all of your bags are zipped shut and that no loose papers can be seen or slide out from under your desk.
- Set all of your materials on your desk. Don't reach down for pencils, calculators, etc.
- Even if the professor doesn't require it, sit far away from other students, or sit at the front of the classroom nearest the professor.
How does the Academic Honesty process work?
What should I do if I am accused of academic dishonesty?
- First, remember that you cannot simply withdraw from the course. Once you are accused of dishonesty, you cannot withdraw unless you are found innocent of the charges. So continue to fulfill all class obligations: attend all classes, complete all assignments and take all tests. A charge of academic dishonesty is not a reason to give up on a class, no matter how much the charge of dishonesty makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Next, you should attempt to work out the situation with your professor. Provide as much evidence of your innocence as possible to the professor.
- Be sure you understand the precise nature of the charges against you and the events or documentation that support those charges. Ask questions.
- Read the College Academic Honesty Policy very carefully to familiarize yourself with rules and procedures.
- Consult with the Chair of the Board on Academic Honesty, who can answer your questions about policies and procedures and give you advice.
- If the professor remains convinced of your academic dishonesty, you may be asked to sign an agreement admitting to your guilt in exchange for an agreed-upon penalty. This method of dealing with academic honesty violations is known as the 'short form.' If you sign the short form, your case should be concluded there.
- If you are not guilty, you can refuse to sign the Short Form. Your case will be turned over for review by a special panel of the faculty Board on Academic Honesty. Alleged violations of the policy are dealt with by the Board, not by the Dean of Students Office.
- You will receive notification from the Board of your hearing date.
- If you would like, you can have up to two people accompany you to the hearing, as long as neither is an attorney. Neither, however, is allowed to speak at the hearing.
- At the hearing, be sure to refute any information presented in the file or during the hearing that you believe to be in error.
- Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Academic Honesty policy, which outlines the academic honesty process.
- Remember: your professor cannot punish you for suspected dishonesty (for example, by failing you for work in the class or failing you for the class itself) without going through the procedures approved by the Board. If you feel your professor is attempting to punish you for suspected dishonesty without going through approved BAH procedures, please contact the Chair of the Board.
What do I need to know if I am found responsible?
If a Hearing Board finds a student guilty of academic dishonesty, the Convener provides a written report of the findings to the Chair of the Board, including a recommended penalty. The Chair then reviews the report to ensure that the case was handled in a way consistent with Board procedures and precedents. The Chair presents the report to the Dean of the College for transmitting to the student and the person who reported the case. (If the student is matriculated outside the College, the report is presented to the Dean of that student’s School for transmitting to the student and the person who reported the case.) Students may appeal the Board’s decision to their Dean.
The penalty (e.g., grade change, course failure, suspension) is implemented. Sanctions assigned, such as a failing grade, become part of the Registrar's official records, although no indication is made that the grade is the result of academic dishonesty. Students who are suspended are withdrawn from the University. During the period of their suspension, the Registrar affixes a letter to any transcript the student may request indicating that the student was suspended for academic disciplinary reasons, and referring the recipient of the transcript to the Dean of the student's College.
Board files on all individual cases remain in the possession of the secretary to the Board for a period of five years, after which they are destroyed.
Students should be aware that a second finding of responsibility for academic dishonesty carries very severe penalties and may include suspension or expulsion from the University. The Board strongly urges students who have been found responsible for academic dishonesty to take even greater care in the future to avoid any behavior or study habits that may lead to another charge of suspected academic dishonesty.