Academic Integrity

GSAS TA OrientationFall 2014

What is Academic Dishonesty?

“Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, intentional or unintentional

dishonesty in academic assignments or in dealing with University officials, including

faculty and staff members.”-- SEAS Bulletin

Faculty & TA Responsibility•You are required to report all suspected incidents

of academic dishonesty▫Ensures consistency in findings and sanctioning▫Allows monitoring of repeated offenses

http://gradengineering.columbia.edu/

Faculty & TA Responsibility

Dean’s Discipline Process

What happens?

The incident is forwarded to the appropriate judicial office

by an instructor or department.

The student is notified of the report and attends a hearing

conducted by the judicial office. In the event the incident

involves students from more than one school, the judicial

officers will work together.

The student and reporting official are notified of the outcome of

the hearing. The student is notified of the sanctions (if any).

Dean’s Discipline Process What are the possible sanctions?

Warning A letter is placed in the student file and, if no other incidents occur,

is removed upon graduation. This sanction is not indicated on the

transcript and is not reported.

Probation A letter is placed in the student file and remains there permanently.

If the student gives written permission to a person or institution to

review the file, the sanction and the violation will be reported. This

sanction is not indicated on the transcript.

Suspension Dismissal

Dean’s Discipline Process

Grading policies The Dean’s Discipline process is separate form the

grading of the assignment or course.

The instructor determines all grades for the course

regardless of the outcome of the hearing.

Prevention of Academic Dishonesty

While ultimately it is the student’s responsibility to maintain his/her academic integrity, there are methods that can be employed to help prevent intentional and unintentional cases of academic dishonesty.

Communicate Expectations• Place a clear and strong statement regarding academic

integrity on your syllabus.

• Emphasize your expectations regarding academic integrity on the first day of class. Repeat these expectations MANY times throughout the semester.

• Share personal examples and philosophy regarding academic integrity. If it seems important to you, it will seem important to the students as well.

• Inform students that all instances of suspected academic dishonesty are reported to the Dean’s Office.

Assignments/Papers•Clearly communicate expectations regarding citation

styles

•Turnitin.com: CourseWorks-admin@columbia.edu

•

Exams•Before

▫Create different versions of the exam Alter order of questions Alter order of answers if using multiple choice Vary questions slightly (but maintain same level of

difficulty)▫Number each exam and include number on each page

of exam▫Create a seating chart and post each student’s seat

assignment as a grade in Courseworks▫Avoid using previous exams and exam questions

Exams•During

▫Require all backpacks, cell phones, books, etc. at the front of the room

▫Have at least one empty seat between each pair of students if possible

▫Have multiple proctors walk around the room during the entire exam

▫Beware – students often collaborate when the proctor’s attention is diverted

▫Calculators can talk to each other now▫“Cheat sheets” can be written on body parts, water bottles,

baseball caps – also sometimes stored in the restroom

Exams•After

▫Make photocopies of completed exams Students may try to change responses on graded exams

in an attempt to earn back points This is helpful if multiple people are grading the exams Having a backup copy is nice!

▫Grade exams in order of exam number Students who sit near each other will have exam

numbers close to each other as well

Campus Resources

•Graduate Student Affairs (GSA)•Office of Judicial Affairs (OJA)•Columbia Libraries•University Ombuds Office•Faculty Handbook