Southern New Hampshire University
Definitions of Academic Dishonesty Under the university’s Honor Code, academic dishonesty is defined as:
Cheating The unauthorized use of notes, textbooks, oral, visual, or electronic communication, or other aids during an exam, quiz, or other related course assignment. The copying of the work of another student during an exam, quiz, or other related course assignment.
Plagiarism The use, whether by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or unpublished work of another without full and clear acknowledgment through proper citation format. The submission of an assignment or parts of an assignment written by someone other than the student, including but not limited to, other students, commercial organizations, and electronic sources.
Misrepresentation The substitution of another student/individual during the taking of a quiz/examination or for the completion of a course.
Unauthorized collaboration The sharing of quiz/exam questions or answers with another student without the instructor’s permission. The copying of another student’s homework without the instructor’s permission. Group collaboration on individual assignments without the instructor’s permission.
Alteration or fabrication of data The submission of data not obtained by the student during the course of research. The deceitful alteration of data obtained by the student during the course of research.
Duplication The submission of the same or similar paper in more than one course without the express permission of the instructor.
Participation in or facilitation of dishonest academic activities • The stealing of quizzes/examinations • The alteration of academic records, including grades • The sabotaging of the work of another student • The distribution of materials for the purpose of cheating • The alteration, forging, or misuse of university-related documents • The intentional reporting of a false violation of academic integrity • The offer of a bribe to any university member in exchange for special consideration or favors 110
• The misuse of university resources, including library resources (print and electronic) and facilities, computer labs, university equipment and networks, etc.
Responsibilities under the Honor Code All members of the university community have responsibilities under the Honor Code. 1. Students are expected to acquaint themselves with the university’s policy on academic integrity; familiarize themselves with the syllabi of individual courses, which may contain more specific guidelines for citing material, working in groups, etc.; seek clarification from instructors on any aspect of a course or the Code about which they have questions or confusion; and should and are expected to encourage their peers to follow the Code. 2. Faculty should familiarize themselves with the university’s policy on academic integrity; make clear in their syllabi the university’s stance on academic integrity; discuss in their classes their own expectations regarding academic integrity as it applies to specific features of courses; incorporate into their course assignments and/or courses conditions that minimize the chance for violation of the Code; make clear to students in their courses the distinction between group and individual assignments, the method of citation required, and other policies relevant to helping students maintain academic integrity; be willing to clarify misperceptions or confusion, should students have questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty; and are expected to investigate and report any violation of the Code that comes to their attention. 3. Administrators should endorse the Code actively by incorporating awareness of it in orientation meetings, promotional literature, educational programs, etc. and support faculty and students who attempt to carry out the provisions of the Code. It is a student’s responsibility to seek clarification from an instructor if the student has questions about what constitutes cheating. The instructor, who has the full authority to assign an “F” grade for that assignment or course after a discussion of the incident with the student, will handle initial violations of academic honesty. A report of the incident and its disposition will be sent to the dean of the School that offers the course. The dean will review the incident and forward it for placement in the student’s personal file. A student dissatisfied with the instructor’s decision may request a meeting with the dean. The dean will investigate the incident and make a decision within five days of the student’s appeal. If there is new information not considered by the dean, the student may make a final appeal to the Vice president of Academic Affairs, who will make a final decision regarding the incident within 10 days of the appeal. Upon placement of notification in the student file, the student will be referred to the director of The Learning Center, who will determine whether an educa-