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Promoting Academic Integrity:
Statistics and General Principles
Nationally:
* 75% of college students admit to cheating.
* 41% of college students admit to some form of cheating using the Internet.
* One-third of faculty admit reluctance to take action against cheaters.
* Cheating in college increased from 11% in 1963 to 49% in 1993.
EMU:
* 45% of EMU students indicate that they know a friend who
committed academic dishonesty.
* 10% of EMU students admit to some form of cheating using the Internet.
* The number of academic integrity violations at EMU increases each year.
Click here to see data compiled by the Center of Academic Integrity.
See also “Students’ Perceptions of Ethics Using the
Internet,” a study by Ronald F. Fulkert and Konnie Kustron,
EMU and 2002 survey by EMU Student Judicial Services.
DEFINE IT.
* Educate yourself about your department’s policies and
EMU’s definition of and policy on academic dishonesty (see
this link).
* Talk about the importance of academic integrity during the first week of
class. Discuss the definition of plagiarism and cheating (see this
link).
* Make a statement in your syllabus defining and prohibiting any form of academic
dishonesty and inform students of the penalty for violations. For example:
"Any form of academic dishonesty will result in an failing grade (F) in the
course and referral to Student Judicial Services for disciplinary action."
CONFRONT IT.
* When faced with an incident of suspected academic dishonesty,
contact SJS and/or your department for consultation. Next,
document your observations, gather witness statements and confront
the student about the allegation as soon as possible and in a
private setting.
* If the student’s response substantiates your suspicions, explain to
the student what will happen (e.g. you will formally refer the case to SJS
and make a grade determination following the findings of the SJS investigation).
REFER IT.
* It is important to report cases to SJS immediately following
the incident. This creates a record of events should the student
pursue a grade grievance or commit another infraction in the
future and protects the instructor from allegations of retaliation
down the road.
* Even if the student acknowledges the conduct and you reach an agreement with
the student regarding the academic penalty, be sure to provide at least an
informal referral to SJS regarding the case.
To obtain more information or to receive Student Judicial Services’ faculty guide: “Promoting Academic Integrity,” call 487-2157 or e-mail: Jennifer.Schrage # emich.edu.