Academic Honesty

SMC's Academic Honesty Policy

Santa Monica College defines academic dishonesty as the act of fraud or deception, in any academic exercise. This includes, but is not limited to, the following actions or attempted actions:

• Using testing aids such as calculators, tape recorders, electronic devices or notes on any examination or assessment, or the failure to observe the expressed procedures or instructions of an academic exercise.

• Allowing another individual to assume one’s identity for the purpose of satisfying course requirements or enhancing one’s grade in any of the following: testing, assessment, online classes, field trips, or attendance.

• Falsifying attendance records and/or grade rosters.

• Representing the words, ideas or work of another as one’s own (plagiarism) in any academic exercise, including the use of commercial term papers, solutions manuals, or any other work of another regardless of how it is created or published.

• Changing answers on a previously scored test, assignment, or experiment.

• Copying or allowing another student to copy from one’s paper or answer sheet during an examination or for a graded assignment.

• Inventing information for the purpose of completing a laboratory experiment, a case study analysis, or field trip.

• Giving and/or taking information during an examination by any means including sign language, hand signals, secret codes, or electronic transmission.

• Accessing or reproducing exams in any form without the prior authorization of the instructor with the purpose of sharing, selling, or publishing them.

• Intentionally or knowingly helping another to violate any provision of this Code.

• Forging or altering academic documentation (including transcripts, assessment scores/results, letters of recommendation, enrollment certifications, registration forms, and medical certification) concerning oneself or others.

Consequences

To learn about the consequences of violating SMC's Academic Honesty guidelines, review this document.

Appeal

If you are accused of violating SMC's Academic Honesty guidelines, you have the right to appeal.  Review this site for more information.

Plagiarism Tutorial

Use this tutorial to learn what plagiarism is, what the consequences are, and what you need to do to avoid plagiarizing.

The tutorial will open in a new browser window; you must use a desktop or computer for this program. It will not work on a smartphone. Do not use the browser back or forward buttons. When you've finished, close the browser window and return to Canvas to continue with this lesson.