[e.g. Academic Integrity Policy, Acceptable Use Policy, Honor Code, Statement on Plagiarism]
An ethics policy explains your [school, library, technology, classroom] goals, values and program within the larger context of the [district, school] educational mission, policies and procedures. By stating the rules and identifying the norms as lived in daily practices, the ethics policy offers explicit guidance about an individual's behavior and clarifies the rights and responsibilities of the institution and its stakeholders, the community and its members, the classroom and its learners.
[using plagiarism examples]
A comprehensive ethics policy is a living document developed by the entire community or institution under the guidance of a leadership team including the school librarian and technology coordinator and key representatives of local and district administration, the school board, faculty, parents and students. The process of addressing the following questions will build a sustainable policy based on common values, principles and practices.
Central to the school culture
"Thacher's Honor Code is a way of living that both students and faculty
cherish. Although an abstract concept, the Honor Code is experienced in
real, daily, concrete ways. Thacher students never receive keys to
their dorm rooms because doors at Thacher are never locked. A laptop
computer left in the Dining Hall at lunch will still be there at
dinner. Students are trusted simply...to sign out the library materials
they need without supervision...the School helps 9th and 10th graders
to understand issues of cheating and plagiarism and then allows juniors
and seniors a degree of freedom..." more
Central to the goals of education
"The aim of education is the intellectual, personal, social, and
ethical development of the individual. The educational process is
ideally conducted in an environment that encourages reasoned discourse,
intellectual honesty, openness to constructive change and respect for
the rights of all individuals. Self discipline and a respect for the
rights of others in the university community are necessary for the
fulfillment of such goals. The Student Code of Conduct is designed to
promote this environment..." more
Central to academic scholarship
"We should all be aware that we are part of a wider community of
scholars, and it is the exchange of ideas, information, concepts and
data that make the advancement of knowledge possible. However, just as
we expect others to acknowledge the ideas that we have worked hard to
develop, so we must also be careful to recognize the people from whom
we borrow ideas..." more
"The Academic Honor Code is based on the idea, common to all respected institutions of higher learning in the western world, that the unique intellectual contributions of the individual writer are most important in judging and evaluating his or her work..." more
To create and maintain an ethical academic atmosphere
Academic Honesty Policy on Plagiarism (Colton-Pierrepont Central School)
"Honest behavior is an expectation for all students in the
Colton-Pierrepont Central School District. The purpose of this policy
is to create and maintain an ethical academic atmosphere in keeping
with our school’s mission. We hope to foster and
encourage a desire in our students to contribute positively
to our learning community and to become information literate and
practice ethical behaviors in regard to information and information
technology..." more
Central to the role of self-governing students
"The Honor System directly expresses the principle of student
self-governance. Founded in 1842, the Honor System has succeeded for
more than 150 years as an entirely student-run system. Stewardship of
the system rests not only with the elected members of the Honor
Committee, but it also lies with each student's decision to act
honorably and to hold fellow students to the same standard. The Honor
System works best when each student actively reaps its benefits and
consciously strengthens its principles..." more
"Whereas, we, the members of the Undergraduate College of Bryn Mawr College, demonstrate our interest in each individual's capacity for personal integrity and our belief in the principles of self-governance by affirming our student community on a system of academic and social honor…" more
Central to civic education in a democracy
"A primary task of the school is to create a stimulating learning
climate... includes broad exposure to the rights and responsibilities
of citizens in a democratic society. The school environment should
afford opportunities for students to exercise their rights and assume
their responsibilities for citizenship... The rights of an individual
are preserved only by the protection and preservation of the rights of
others... The school believes that the best discipline is
self-discipline and that the school environment should allow students,
as far as practical, to make responsible decisions about their
behavior. The school believes that giving students the opportunity to
practice self-discipline in school will lead to their making more
responsible choices when not in school..." more
Essential to one's future
"Truthfulness in one's claims and representations and honesty in one's
activities are essential in life and vocation..." more
A privilege of use (AUP language)
"Users are responsible for... adhering to all copyright guidelines and
avoiding plagiarism...." more
A standard of behavior (American
Association of School Librarians)
Information Literacy Standard
8
"The student who contributes
positively to the learning
community and to society is information literate and practices ethical
behavior in regard to information and information technology." Used in Muir
School Library policy.
Standards for the 21st Century Learner Standard
3
"Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as members
of our democratic society." Used in "What
We Believe" Birmingham Public Schools Media Services
Based on right or law
"...understand and value the concept of intellectual property..." more
"...respect the intellectual property of others by crediting sources
and following all copyright laws..." more
Other big picture statements
The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity
Consortium of schools
Professional organization
Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism: The WPA Statement on Best Practices (Council of Writing Program Administrators)
School-wide handbook, code, policies
Code
of Character (Landon K-12)
In the 1960s, Landon students wrote an Honor Code to guide their
actions and promote a community where a Landon man became know for his
good word. In 2002, the School added a Civility Code to the core
principles which govern our behavior as members of a community
dedicated to the inclusion of all...In 2008, the Landon formally
adapted a Code of Character, embracing both of these Codes, which
commits us to make Landon a place where all are welcome, and where
Respect and Honesty are our highest values. We recognize that,
together, they form the foundation of true Brotherhood.
Honor Code (St. Mark's School)
Student-developed
Honor Code linked to Seven
Pillars of Character and
"Roots
and Wings" speaker program
Honor
Brochure (East Chapel Hill H.S.)
Comprehensive approach to ethics education
Student Handbook (Avon Grove H.S.)
Academic Honor Code prefaces rules, policies and guidelines: "The
purpose of the Academic Honor Code is to foster the development of one
of the most important characteristics of good citizenship – individual
responsibility. Honorable academic behavior helps create an educational
community based on trust, in which no cheating or plagiarism is
tolerated. It creates an educational community in which individuals are
treated fairly and recognized for their individual achievement. As
student at Avon Grove High School, you are expected to follow this Code
on all work completed in your courses..." more
Student/Parent Handbook (Illinois Math and Science Academy)
Alphabetical list (Academic
honesty to
Vending machines) of information and policies
Faculty and Staff Handbook (Purdue)
Integrated treatment of integrity
in research and student-faculty relationships including such topics as honesty and A
Bill of Student Rights
Honor
Code (Mountain Lakes H.S.)
A philosophy of academic Integrity based on a commitment to four
values: honesty, respect, responsibility, trust
Academic
Integrity at Penn State (Council of Academic Deans)
"The primary responsibility for supporting and promoting academic
integrity lies with the faculty and administration, but students must
be active participants. A climate of integrity is created and sustained
through ongoing conversations about honesty, trust, fairness, respect,
and responsibility and the embodiment of these values in the life of
the University. Students and faculty should contribute actively to
fostering a climate of academic integrity in all their scholarly
activities, through discussions in first-year seminars and in other
courses, and through involvement in college Academic Integrity
Committees."
Duke
Community Standard (Office of Judicial Affairs)
"Since 2003, freshman undergraduates have been signing the Community
Standard at their convocation in lieu of pledging to uphold an honor
code..." more
The
Little Book of Plagiarism (Leeds Metropolitan University)
Created with cross-university input, the pamphlet is
distributed to all schools within the university.
School Library
A Statement on Plagiarism (Bentley School Library)
Library Skills: Sixth Grade (Keys School)
Plagiarism:
A Guide for CSU Students and Faculty (Eastern Connecticut
State University Library)
Identifies the library's teaching of information literacy as a tool for
prevention
Technology Department
Acceptable
Use Policy (Haddonfield Public Schools District)
Acceptable
Use Policy: Staff (Londonderry School District)
Writing Lab
Online
Writing Lab (Purdue)
With extensive advice on avoiding plagiarism
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/589/01/
Tutor
Responsibilities and Code of Ethics (USD Writing
Center
(University of San Diego)
"Outlines the
philosophical foundations that the USD Writing Center and
our tutors are committed to foster..." more
A Department
Department
of History (Southern Illinois University
Carbondale)
References the disciplinary standards and codes while the university
works toward a common
policy
English Department Policy on Plagiarism (South Windsor High School)
Computer
Science Honor Code (Stanford University)
Classroom teacher
Plagiarism (Webb School English II)
Syllabus
for AP Studio Art: 2-D Design Syllabus (Savannah
Arts Academy)
Discusses artistic plagiarism although the Savannah-Chathan
County
Public School System Honor Code does not mention plagiarism
A Letter to My Students (Oakton Community College, Bill
Taylor,
Professor of Political Science)
"As you'll see, academic integrity basically requires the same things
of you as a student as it requires of me as a teacher..." more
Curriculum team
Publishing
Guidelines for Research Papers and Culminating
Projects (Bellingham H.S.)
Research guidelines for seniors and their project advisors, information
for parents
The student
Student
Handbook Cheating Policy (Orono H.S.)
"...If you tell the truth and take full responsibility for your
actions, you will be consistently respected as a strong individual. If,
on the other hand, you lie and try to avoid responsibility, your
weakness will place doubts in the mind of everyone you deal with. It is
a harsh fact of life that, once you damage your good reputation, it is
hard to regain people's confidence. A reputation based on honesty is of
great importance. Accordingly the school will do its best to help you
protect it. If you should act dishonestly, the school, through
disciplinary action and counseling, will work with you to try to repair
the damage you have done to your relationships with the community."
An organization or group charged with responsibility for academic ethics
Student
Council (Landon K-12)
"Maintaining Landon's
Honor Code is the Council's most significant task, for in the Honor Code rest the
qualities of trust and honesty that make Landon a very special
environment in which to live and learn. Under the Honor Code, it is the
responsibility of every Upper School student to control lying,
stealing, and cheating at Landon. The council, however, is
representative of these efforts and, with the assistance of a faculty
advisor, is responsible for familiarizing all students with the Code
and its implications and for the procedures of the Code."
Honor
Committee (University of Virginia)
"The Honor Committee is comprised of two Honor Representatives from
each of the ten schools except the College of Arts and Sciences, which
has five. The twenty-three member Honor Committee is ultimately
responsible for the maintenance and administration of the Honor System.
With the help of some one hundred support officers, the Honor Committee
conducts honor investigations and trials, disseminates information on
the Honor System to new students and faculty, and establishes special
programs and policies... more
Student
Judicial Services, Office of the Dean (University
of Texas,
Austin)
Promotes Standard of Academic Integrity, administers
other standards of conduct, investigates alleged violations and
implements the disciplinary process.
Academic
Integrity Council (Duke University)
Represents all constituencies of the campus community: "seven faculty
members (five from Trinity College of Arts and Sciences and two from
the Pratt School of Engineering), two undergraduates (one from the Duke
Student Government and one from the Honor Council), one graduate
student teaching assistant, and four administrators."
Student
Honor Council (University of Maryland)
Administers Code
of Academic Integrity with strong education
component.
Intent/Reasonable
Person Standard (Stanford University, Office of Judicial
Affairs)
Defines a "reasonable person" standard for intentional/accidental
plagiarism
General Advice for Students
Honor
Code (Brigham Young University) "Academic Honesty
Details"
Clarifies cheating, fabrication or falsification, plagiarism and other
academic misconduct
What
is Plagiarism (Georgetown University, Gervase Program
"promoting and encouraging intellectual life on campus")
Describes familiar situations using information language and humor
Plagiarism
Policy: Subtleties (Rutgers Writing Program)
Explores gray areas using scenarios
Cheating
and how to avoid it (Mankato Area Public Schools, District
Media Services)
A student guide to plagiarism, cheating, and intellectual
property use
Types of Plagiarism (University of Sussex Academic Office)
Includes word switching, misrepresenting common knowledge, concealing
sources... more
Types of Plagiarism (SUNY Genesee Library, Sue Ann Brainard)
Includes copy and paste, word switch, metaphor, idea, reasoning style,
organization... more
How
Do I Avoid Plagiarism? (Newton North High School
Library)
Contrasts when/when not to document a source
Avoiding
plagiarism, self-plagiarism, and other questionable writing practices:
A guide to ethical writing (St. Johns University, Miguel
Roig)
Preventive writing strategies
Proactive Teaching Advice for Faculty
A
Faculty Guide: Collaborative Learning (Ryerson University)
Strategies for group work which create a culture of academic integrity
Designing
Assignments (Dalhousie University)
Pedagogical strategies for the research process
Preventing Plagiarism with Creative Assignments: Ideas for Faculty (Truman State University Library)
Term Paper Alternatives or…So you'd like your students to use the library but don't want to assign a research paper? (St. Louis University Library, Miriam E. Joseph)
10
Sample Assignments (Ohio University Library)
Types of assignments with a range of difficulty which teach information
competence but go beyond "just term papers"
Academic
Integrity: Assignment ideas (Dalhousie University)
Assignment chart of products beyond a traditional paper
Proactive Advice for Parents
Commitment to Academic Honesty (Irvine Unified School District)
Parents
Handbook (University of Chicago)
Honor Code (W. T. Woodson H.S.)
Lists student, faculty, administrator, parent responsibilities,
student's rights, defines unethical behaviors, and enumerates
penalties. Refers to supporting document on student's rights
(AUP, Fairfax County Public Schools' Student Responsibilities and
Rights Regulation 2601P)
Plagiarism Policy (Middlesex County College)
Although suggestions and recommendations for handling plagiarism are
made, "faculty have the right to determine their own penalties for
plagiarism for use in their classes. However, such policies
should be discussed in class and clearly stated in the grading policies
'statement' faculty distributes to students with the course syllabus."
Academic Discipline Process Flowchart (Dalhousie) and procedures
Reporting
Academic Honor Principle: Information for Students (Dartmouth, Undergraduate Judicial Affairs)
"Any student who becomes aware of a violation of the Academic Honor
Principle is bound by honor to take some action. The student may report
the violation, speak personally to the student observed in violation of
the principle, exercise some form of social sanction, or do whatever
the student feels is appropriate under the circumstances...If Dartmouth
students stand by and do nothing, both the spirit and operation of the
Academic Honor Principle are severely threatened."
Continuous self-reporting (Worthington High School, AP History)
"The following statement will appear on all tests, and you must include it on all essays"
A Faculty Guide to Cyber-Plagiarism: Reporting Plagiarism (University of Alberta Libraries)
Campus Incident Report Form (Texas Tech)
Academic Misconduct Report Form (Metro State College of Denver)
Documenting
Policies and Procedures on Cheating and Plagiarism (CSU Fresno)
See section C1 Faculty-student Conference
Sample Letter to Students and for Reporting Academic Integrity Violations (Texas Tech)
Reviews factual information from teacher-student conference and explains teacher's action plan
Disciplinary Guidelines and Procedures
Plagiarism Policy (Oxnard High School, English Department)
Chart of violations, procedures, penalties
Student/Parent Handbook (Presentation High School)
See p. 19 of the pdf: Consequences include exclusion from honors, awards and leadership
Student Disciplinary Procedures (University of Arizona)
Policy on Academic Integrity (Rutgers University)
Increasingly serious levels (4) of infractions and suggests guidelines for sanctions
Academic Honesty: Documentation, Information Ethics and Plagiarism; A useful guide to getting things done the right way (Colton-Pierrepont Central School)
Outlines the teaching to be done and increasingly severe consequences by grade levels
Code of Academic Integrity (Cornell University)
Outlines the process, jurisdiction and procedures of Academic Integrity Hearing Boards
Undergraduate Academic Ethics Board (Johns Hopkins University)
Sample Plagiarism Cases and Consequences (Stanford University Office of Judicial Affairs)
Grade of XF (University of Maryland)
Specifically denotes "failure due to academic dishonesty" but treated
as an "F" for Grade Point Average, course repeatability, and
determination of academic standing.
Development and Integrity Course (Kansas State University)
An educational sanction given when XF grade is on the student's transcript
Whole-school effort
Comprehensive Program (Office of Academic Affairs, Center for Intellectual Property (University of Maryland University College)
Guides, tutorials, scenarios, workshops, learning objects
Academic Integrity Office (University of California, San Diego)
"The Academic Integrity Office works closely with the Academic Senate, the six undergraduate colleges, the Office of Graduate Studies, academic departments, and central administration to:
School-wide Responsible Use Policy (Town School)
Students, parents, faculty, administrators and staff sign the same form
Faculty education
New Teachers Information Page (North Hardin High School)
Detecting plagiarism: a self-help guide (Robert College of Istanbul – middle/high school)
School librarian’s advice to teachers on when to suspect, how to detect, and how to prevent plagiarism
Plagiarism Guide for Instructors (University of Oregon Libraries)
Student companion site below
Internet Plagiarism: An Agenda for Staff Inservice and Student Awareness (Lakeview H.S.)
Staff presentation (librarian) with pamphlet Cheating - An Insider's Guide (social studies teacher)
Case of the Cheating Hart (University of Notre Dame Library)
Discussion scenario for a faculty workshop
Academic Integrity: Example Cases (North Carolina State)
Three case studies for faculty based on common situations seem by the Office of Student Conduct
Cut and Paste Plagiarism: How to Detect It and How to Prevent It (University of Notre Dame Libraries)
Big Ideas of Notemaking and Notetaking (Abilock)
Notetaking taxonomy
Beyond Cut-and-Paste (Abilock/Geiger)
Teaching strategies PowerPoint
Academic Orientation for Teaching Assistants (University of Windsor Academic Integrity Office)
Student education
Avoiding Plagiarism – A Guide for Students (University of Oregon Libraries)
Companion to the faculty site above
VAIL – Virtual Academic Integrity Laboratory (Center for Intellectual Property, University of Maryland University College)
Comprehensive, slick site with separate information for faculty and students including assessment of plagiarism detection tools, instructions on preventing and detecting plagiarism, chat and forum for questions, quizzes to check understanding and teaching advice.
Senior Project Handbook (Portsmouth High School)
Comprehensive packet: rationale and goals; affective aspects of a just-right challenge; letter of student commitment; review of parenthetical reference and paraphrasing; academic integrity and discussion of ethics and dishonesty challenge process; scaffolding of timeline, research process, mentor relationship, portfolio and presentation; various assessments including self-evaluation, mentor evaluation, and project rubrics; information for parents of juniors as well as seniors.
Honor (Sewanee University)
New student orientation process to overview the Honor Code
Bruin Success with Less Stress (UCLA Library)
Breezy, informal tone of flash presentation includes tips, links to policy statements, examples and interactive components to address five aspects of academic integrity: intellectual property, file sharing, citing and documenting, time management and cheating.
What is Plagiarism? (Rutgers University Libraries)
Humorous flash cartoon of plagiarism basics linked to academic honesty policy
You Quote It, You Note It! (Acadia University)
Choose a cartoon character in this Flash tutorial to learn about early planning, how to paraphrase and quote, citing and where to get help.
Plagiarism and Academic Integrity (Rutgers University)
Viewer selects responses to problems dramatized in realistic Flash scenarios
Plagiarism Quiz (Empire State Library)
Students respond with yes/no to scenario questions, check answers, and read further information
Academic Integrity Questions (Dalhousie)
Set of questions designed to be answered using clickers
The Plagiarism Court: You Be the Judge (Fairfield University Library)
Slick Flash presentation of dry information about plagiarism but with excellent paraphrase questions that invite thinking.
Test Your Integrity I.Q. (University of Manitoba)
Scenarios with leading questions and an answer key
Activity sheet: Identifying Plagiarism (Lehman College)
Scenarios with discussion questions
Academic Integrity Case Studies (University of Minnesota)
Case method provides fuller descriptions of problems with responses by three students to each situation.
Case Studies and Materials (University of Michigan Research Responsibility Program)
Academic integrity case examples for upper division or graduate student researchers
How to Recognize Plagiarism (Indiana University Bloomington, School of Education)
Focuses on paraphrasing with samples of source material and student writing with self-check
Case Studies (York University)
Viewer decides which writing samples display academic integrity and why
How to Avoid Plagiarism (Northwestern University, Undergraduate Academic Conduct Committee)
Draws examples from undergraduate essays and other sources to illustrate complex attribution or citation problems, followed by an analysis or explanation.
Dr. Cite Rite (Central Piedmont Community College Library)
Choose "Clickstein" for social sciences, "Clickspeare" for humanities or "Click ‘n Hammer" for applied sciences to get plagiarism overview and formatting elements for MLA or APA citations of common source types.
Family education
Parent Handbook (University of Southern California)
Discusses academic integrity and plagiarism as part of orientation program
District Plagiarism Policy (Taconic High School Library)
Parents and student sign
Honor Code (W.T. Woodson High School)
Parents and student sign
Upper Division Honor Code (Horace Mann School)
Parents and students sign
Acceptable Use Policy (Keystone School District)
Students sign agreement, parents sign permission prior to Internet use
Letter to Parents (Mountlake Terrace High School, Karen Hansen, English Teacher)
Classroom teacher describes expectations, grading policy and plagiarism and honor code
Laws and rulings: Legislation, contracts, judicial interpretations, school board rulings
Goals and plans: Vision and mission statements, long-range strategic plan, accreditation process, institutional self-study, educational technology plan
Local documents: District and school guidelines, disciplinary standards, vision and mission statements
Professional practice: Frameworks and growth goals, teaching assessments, curriculum reviews
Professional development programs: Learning communities, study teams, coaching, mentoring, leadership initiatives
Policies: Selection, acceptable use and information access policies, literacy statements, homework policy
Classroom: Syllabi, individual assignments, grading
Student organizations and civic roles: Student government, newspaper, community service, service learning, after-school programs
Parent education programs: back-to-school night, curriculum education, community or town meetings, parent-communication publications
Process for review and amendment
Amendments to the Integrity Code (Rutgers)
"Suggested changes to this policy may be recommended by the Camden Faculty Senate’s Student Life Committee, the Dean of Students Office, the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office, or the School of Business Dean's Office. Changes shall be approved by the Faculty Senate."
Instrument of Student Governance (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
See section on operational procedures: "The Committee on Student Conduct [shall be responsible for] proposing, reviewing, and coordinating action on amendments to this Instrument appropriate to its increased effectiveness."
Charter of Student Rights and Responsibilities (Bishop’s University)
"... intended to be a 'living document' which may be amended from time to time as needed, in light of experience, in order to clarify those students' rights and responsibilities to which the University is committed. It is further intended that responsibilities and rights accorded by all other policies of the University should be interpreted in light of this Charter."
Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics (New Jersey Dental School)
This Honor Code is a “living document” and as such, it will incorporate by reference any new and/or amended policies adopted by UMDNJ or the New Jersey Dental School as these policies apply to or touch upon the principles set forth in this document.
Ongoing review
University of Denver Honor Code: Rationale - Ph.D. Handbook (University of Denver)
The Honor Code is a living document that will evolve with time. In order to better foster and advance an environment of ethical conduct in the academic community of the University both substantive requirements and enforcement procedures may be amended by the University to reflect experience gained from its implementation...more
Scheduled review
Policy Review - Student Plagiarism Policy (TAFE NSW Hunter Institute)
"The Director…guides an annual review of the Plagiarism Policy to consider emerging technologies, academic standards and the Policy's efficacy in application."
Acceptable Use Policy (Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District)
This policy and its procedures will be reviewed every two years for compliance with state and federal law. Review and revision of these policies and procedures shall occur as needed, but at least every two years.
Student Handbook (East Brunswick High School)
"Our handbook is a living document. It is revised and updated every year. We encourage you to make suggestions to help us make this publication as useful as possible for our students and parents."