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Academic Dishonesty and its Consequences

As a student at San Jose State University you are expected to pursue your course work with integrity and honesty. Incidents of academic dishonesty are taken very seriously. If you are C caught cheating or plagiarizing, a process is begun which may result in severe consequences for you. It is vitally important to your academic career that you know what constitutes academic dishonesty.

What is Academic Dishonesty?

Academic dishonesty occurs when a student attempts to show possession of a level of knowledge or skill that he or she does not possess. The two most common kinds of academic dishonesty are "Cheating" and "Plagiarism". Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest deceptive or fraudulent means. Plagiarism is representing the work of someone else as your own and submitting it to fulfill academic requirements.
It is your responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty. If you are unclear about a specific situation, speak to your instructor. The following list exemplifies some of the activities defined as academic dishonesty.

Cheating

1. Copying, in part or in whole, from someone else's text.
2. Submitting work presented previously in another course, if contrary to the rules of either course.
3. Altering or interfering with grading.
4. Using or consulting, during and examination, any sources or materials not authorized by the instructor.
5. Committing other acts that defraud or misrepresent.

Plagiarism

1. Incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or another person's writings, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as your own work.
2. Representing another's artistic/scholarly works (such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings, or sculptures) as your own.
3. Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service.

Other Specific Examples of Academic Dishonesty

1. Purposely allowing another student to copy from your paper during a test.
2. Giving your homework, term paper or other academic work to another student to plagiarize.
3. Having another person submit any work m your name.
4. Lying to an instructor or university official to improve your grade.
5. Altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for regrading.
6. Removing tests from the classroom without the approval of the instructor.
7. Stealing tests.
8. Having a typist correct work for spelling or grammar, if contrary to the rules of the course.
9. Forging Signatures on drop/add slips or other university documents.

Consequences of Academic Dishonesty

Academic and/or administrative sanctions may be applied in cases of academic dishonesty. Depending on the seriousness of the infraction, you may:
1. Receive a failing grade on the test paper, or exam;
2. Have your course grade lowered;
3. Get an "F" in the course;
4. Be placed on disciplinary probation;
5. Be placed on disciplinary suspension;
6. Be expelled.

Do not think that this will not happen to you - the university is very strict on academic dishonesty and will take extreme measures if you violate any of the examples of dishonesty.
The office of the Vice President for Student Affairs maintains a record of students who have engaged in academic dishonesty. This information is used to identify and discipline students who have been reported for academic dishonesty more than once.

For Additional Information

The University Policy on Academic Dishonesty was passed by the Academic Senate in the Fall of 1987. You can direct any questions concerning SJSU's Policy on Academic Dishonesty to the Judicial Coordinator at (408) 924-5900. Copies of the Administration Building, Room 242.