SPSU 1001 Hitchhiker’s Guide to SPSU Academic Conduct and the Honor Code Copyright © 2010 by Bob Brown

SPSU’s Honor Code Adopted by the Student Government Association August 24, Rolled out in The Faculty Senate has recommended that the same document be adopted by the faculty. You can make this promise to yourself now, as I have done.

The Honor Code As a member of the Southern Polytechnic State University community of scholars, I understand that my actions are not only a reflection on myself, but also a reflection on the University and the larger body of scholars of which it is a part. Acting unethically, no matter how minor the offense, will be detrimental to my academic progress and self-image. It will also adversely affect all students, faculty, staff, the reputation of this University, and the value of the degrees it awards. Whether on campus or online, I understand that it is not only my personal responsibility, but also a duty to the entire SPSU community that I act in a manner consistent with the highest level of academic integrity. Therefore, I promise that as a member of the Southern Polytechnic State University community, I will not participate in any form of academic misconduct. I also understand that it is my responsibility to hold others to these same standards by addressing actions that deviate from the University-wide commitment to working, living, and learning in an environment conducive to a quality education. Thus, I affirm and adopt this honor code of Southern Polytechnic State University.

Honor Code: Key Points My conduct reflects on the entire University. My conduct affects my academic progress. My conduct affects the value of the degrees we award. I promise not to engage in any form of academic misconduct. I promise to address misconduct on the part of others.

Address Misconduct by Others? When you subscribe to the Honor Code, you promise to “address” misconduct on the part of others. You are far more likely to become aware of misconduct than your professors. Because misconduct affects the value of your degree, you have a duty to yourself as well as to the University.

What does “Address” Mean? You have several options: Talk with the person suspected of misconduct; “I saw what you did and I don’t like it.” Talk with the professor Talk with your advisor, the department chair, or dean. Initiate a charge to the Honor Council.

The Results of Misconduct An academic penalty Possibly a non-academic penalty, like community service. A permanent record of the event: No security clearance Exclusion from many jobs requiring trust No admission to a reputable grad school No possibility of election to high office

What is “Misconduct?” Plagiarism Fabrication of results Cheating Anything that interferes with the free exchange of ideas Anything that interferes with the fair evaluation of others’ academic progress.

Avoiding Misconduct Don’t procrastinate Understand the policies Of the University Of your school or department Of your particular class. If in doubt, ask! Use the “Mother test.” Would I want my mother to know about this? If the answer is no, you shouldn’t do it.

Will I Get Caught? Most decisions about bad behavior are founded in the assumption that one won’t get caught. So, the consequences do not matter. However, the consequences of academic misconduct can be life-long, and…

Will I Get Caught? Probably Your colleagues pledge to address misconduct by others. The human brain is an excellent pattern recognizer. Your professors are experts in their fields. Your professors know your writing style. If you don’t get caught, you will become more aggressive in your misconduct.

“On the Shoulders of Giants” Two rules of scientific progress: It is appropriate to build upon the work of others. You must give appropriate credit when you do so. If I have seen farther than other men, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants. – attributed to Isaac Newton.

Plagiarism Defined: “the use of the words or ideas of another without giving proper credit.” Possibly the easiest type of misconduct to “slip into.” Range: From a sentence or two copied from an on line article, to a paper written entirely by someone else.

What is “Proper Credit?” Three requirements: Quotation marks around exact quotes A citation in the text of your paper A bibliographic entry at the end, tied to the citation and giving enough information for another to find the cited material.

Example The text of the paper: As Margret Amatayakul writes, “The healthcare industry will be left to establish its own baseline, and will likely be judged on the basis of ‘common practice’ within the framework of the rules” (Amatayakul, 2000). The bibliography entry: Amatayakul, M. (2000). “Security measures required for HIPAA privacy,” Journal of Healthcare Information Management, 14-4, (5-13).

More Advice Paraphrase rather than quoting; by paraphrasing, you show your professor that you understand the material. (But you still have to have a citation.) Cite as you write; you cannot “add in” citations after your paper is complete. You will inevitably miss some. Besides, it’s easier to put the citations while you have the source material at hand.

The Form of Citation May Vary The previous example was in “APA style.” Your professor may prescribe another format. (And you have to use it!) The key idea is that you must give credit every time you use the words or ideas of someone else. And, you must enclose direct quotes in quotation marks.

You’re Not Expected to Know Everything Sometimes beginning college students have the idea they’re supposed to “know” the material. So, they try to fudge, and end up plagiarizing. More citations indicates more research… … and so usually results in a better grade!

About Buying or “Borrowing” Papers The people who make such papers available are liars and cheats. They will cheat you. You don’t know the history of such a paper. Consider the consequences of turning in a paper the professor’s already received once! Worse yet, consider turning in a paper the professor wrote!

Cheating Observing another’s paper Passing an answer Unauthorized access to notes or other material during the exam, electronically or on paper. Unauthorized access to exam material. Changing answers after the exam is returned (and claiming a correct answer.) Taking an exam in another’s place.

Other Offenses Plagiarism Reference padding or fabrication of references Fabrication of lab or research results Collaboration beyond what is allowed by the assignment Purposeful destruction, mutilation, or theft of academic material Falsification of records

Mechanism The professor meets with the student to discuss the alleged academic misconduct. If convinced that misconduct has taken place, the professor proposes a penalty on the “Allegation of Academic Misconduct” form. The student has three working days to consider the charge and proposed penalty.

Choices The student can sign the form and accept the penalty. (If there is a previous record of misconduct, the penalty may be increased by the department head.) The student can appeal to the Honor Council on the basis of innocence. If the penalty exceeds University guidelines, the student can appeal to the department head on the basis of harshness. The student can refuse to sign, in which case the proposed penalty is applied.

The Honor Council Composition: Three students selected by the SGA Three faculty members elected from the faculty Chaired by the Dean of Students Hears evidence Makes determinations of fact Imposes penalties From reduction of an assignment grade To expulsion from the University

Determinations of Fact The Honor Council will weigh the “strength of the evidence.” More serious allegations may require more substantial proof. The determination of the Honor Council is final.

Determination of Penalties The penalty is determined by the: Seriousness of the allegation Strength of the evidence History of prior misconduct The decision is final except in cases of expulsion. A decision to expel may be appealed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Homework Read Standards of Academic Conduct Read An Example of Proper Writing: Complete Assignment – Scavenger Hunt

Questions