Definition of Cheating

Cheating is defined as obtaining or attempting to obtain, or aiding another to obtain credit for work, or any improvement in evaluation of performance, by any dishonest or deceptive means. Cheating includes, but is not limited to: lying; copying from another's test or examination; discussion at any time of questions or answers on an examination or test, unless such discussion is specifically authorized by the instructor; taking or receiving copies of an exam without the permission of the instructor; using or displaying notes, "cheat sheets," or other information devices inappropriate to the prescribed test conditions; allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent same.

As defined, according to the American Psychological Association (APA) Manual 2009, cheating includes, but is not limited to:

• Unauthorized obtaining or retaining partial or whole copies of examination, tests or quizzes before these are distributed for student use;
• Using notes, textbooks or other information in examinations, tests and quizzes, except as expressly permitted;
• Obtaining unauthorized confidential information about examinations, tests or quizzes other than that released by the instructor;
• Securing, giving or exchanging information during examinations;
• Presenting data or other material gathered by another person or group as one's own;
• Falsifying experimental data or information;
• Having another person take one's place for any academic performance without the specific knowledge and permission of the instructor;
• Unauthorized collaboration with another to do one or more of the above;
• Using a substantial portion of a piece of work previously submitted for another course or program to meet the requirements of the present course or program without notifying the instructor to whom the work is presented; and/or
• Presenting falsified information in order to postpone or avoid examinations, tests, quizzes, or other academic work.

Cheating is considered to be unethical by the University. However, overt cheating (e.g., looking off another student’s test) is what is of consequence to the University.

Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as the act of using intentionally or unintentionally the ideas or work of another person or persons as if they were one’s own without giving proper credit to the source. Such an act is not plagiarism if it is ascertained that the ideas were arrived through independent reasoning or logic, or where the thought or idea is common knowledge. Acknowledgment of an original author or source must be made through appropriate references, i.e., quotation marks, footnotes, or commentary. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following: the submission of a work, either in part or in whole, completed by another; failure to give credit for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions which rightfully belong to another; failure to use quotation marks (or other means of setting apart, such as the use of indentation or a different font size) when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or even a part thereof; close and lengthy paraphrasing of another’s writing without credit or originality; and use of another’s project or computer programs or part thereof without giving credit.

Submitting the same project to multiple instructors as a unique creation may also be considered plagiarism. A project produced for another class must be cited just as when citing any other source. Prior to resubmitting work from a previous course, a student must receive explicit written permission from the instructor of the current course. A project produced for another class must also be cited just as when citing any other source.

Academic Appeals Information

Instructions for Students Submitting an Appeal

When an instructor(s) has determined and notified a student, individually or as part of a group, that they have performed an act of academic dishonesty and has penalized the student for the act under AS-722-10, Resolution of Academic Dishonesty: Cheating and Plagiarism Procedures, the student has a right to contest the determination and/or the penalty. If a student denies the determination that they either cheated and/or plagiarized, the student should first address the matter with the department head for the course of record. If the department head for the course of record cannot resolve the situation to the satisfaction of both parties--the instructor and student--then the student has a right to appeal the determination of cheating and/or plagiarism to the Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities (OSRR). Confirmation of the determined cheating and/or plagiarism by the OSRR will occur if the faculty member provides a preponderance of the evidence to show that the student performed an act of academic dishonesty. The Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities will assess if additional disciplinary action is required upon review of the incident. Charges of academic dishonesty must be assessed on an individual basis.

To submit an appeal, please complete this form: Link to appeal form