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As a community of intellectual people dedicated to the pursuit of truth and advancement of knowledge, all students, faculty and staff at the University of Alberta meet the goals of teaching and learning, conducting research, and performing service by adhering to the fundamental values of academic integrity in an ethical environment. Without this, our work loses value and credibility.
Academic institutions thrive when the people that work and learn there "live" the fundamental values. By sharing in this common belief, we all benefit from the resulting ethical decision-making strategies and behaviours. Ideals derived with integrity are more easily translated into actions creating a stronger community and civic culture (ICAI, 2021).
Students need to know that their work is being evaluated fairly and consistently. This only happens when they are assured others are not gaining an academic advantage by engaging in misconduct. Maintaining a community that is rooted in academic integrity helps bolster confidence in the learning process.
Without integrity, a degree from the University of Alberta means nothing. Potential employers and post-graduate programs choose University of Alberta graduates because they know we hold ethics and integrity in high regard. Engaging in academic misconduct puts your institution's reputation and your degree's notoriety in jeopardy.
By completing your University of Alberta degree with integrity, by having good ethics, and by being a responsible student, you set yourself on the right path to follow the same fundamental values in your post-graduate experiences. Many career paths are governed by ethical and professional standards that are akin to those in learning with academic integrity. If you engage in inappropriate academic behaviour during your degree, you may consciously or unconsciously continue this behaviour into your career. Don't let yourself follow this downhill path.
Engaging in academic misconduct can have serious consequences. If you are found responsible for violating the Student Academic Integrity Policy, the transgression goes on your record of conduct. You could get a zero on the assignment or exam. Your grade may be reduced or you may be given a disciplinary failing grade. Your transcript may be marked with a notation indicating academic misconduct. You could also be suspended or expelled. Remember why you're here -- you've paid a lot of money to gain knowledge and develop skills that will help you grow into a functioning member of society. Don't allow an academic transgression to potentially affect your future career plans.
Straying away from the fundamental values of academic integrity effects those around you -- your instructor, your TAs, your classmates, the Faculty Decision Maker that is assigned to your case. But most of all, it effects you. Ultimately, you are cheating yourself out of the benefits leading a life governed by academic integrity can provide.
Columbus College Library created a video that further explains why academic integrity is important. Please take a few minutes to watch it.
Consequences of Academic Misconduct
Maryellen Weimer, professor emerita at Pennsylvania State University, outlines some of the consequences of academic misconduct such as cheating in a post on the Teaching Professor Blog. Here are six reasons not to engage in academic misconduct according to Professor Weimer:
Knowledge builds on previous knowledge.
Knowledge builds on previous knowledge.
When you take shortcuts on an assignment or exam, and engage in plagiarism or cheating, you clearly haven't taken the time to learn the material. You now have to do extra work to learn the subsequent material (or else the gap in your knowledge grows bigger).
It's all about development.
It's all about development.
We learn by doing. Your problem-solving, writing and critical analysis skills develop when you do the work yourself. Sometimes it's tough; and you'll often fail. You won't learn by copying the work of others; but you will learn if you tackle the work yourself. You'll learn even more from your failures.
Academic misconduct is subject to the snowball effect.
Academic misconduct is subject to the snowball effect.
What might start out as a seemingly tiny, harmless transgression can lead to repeat, often more serious, transgressions over time. Research shows that students that engage in academic misconduct tend to repeat their behaviour (in school and later in life).
Wear it with pride.
Wear it with pride.
How do you see others? How does it make you feel when someone else lies, copies or cheats? How do you want others to see you? What kind of person do you want to be? Engaging in academic misconduct impairs your reputation and personal integrity. If you act with academic integrity, you can wear it with pride and not have to worry about hiding your misgivings.
It's not rocket science.
It's not rocket science.
Good study habits can lead to just as much success as having smarts. You can avoid academic misconduct and get good grades by attending class regularly, studying often, and keeping up with your homework. Avoid procrastination! You can accomplish what you need to without cheating or copying because you are smarter than you think you are.
Earn a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Earn a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Grades that you've earned honestly can be a real boost. They can provide a real sense of accomplishment and be a source of pride. They say you're a force to be reckoned with!
References:
International Center for Academic Integrity [ICAI]. (2021). The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity. (3rd ed.).
www.academicintegrity.org/the-fundamental-valuesof-academic-integrity
Weimer, M. (2018). A Memo to students about cheating. The Teaching Professor Blog. https://www.teachingprofessor.com/topics/resource-collections/resources-for-students/memos-to-students/memo-students-cheating/. Accessed 2 Jan. 2024.
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