Academic Honesty & Integrity Policy*

* This text was developed by Student Government Association and reviewed by Jeannine Beratta, Director of Judicial Affairs for Student Life. This text shall be included in the Student Handbook, as resolved by the Faculty Senate on June 7, 1999.

Essential to the Mission of Northeastern University is the commitment to the Principles of intellectual Honesty and Integrity.

Academic Integrity is important for two reasons. First, independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the most from their educational experience and the pursuit of knowledge. Second, academic dishonesty violates the most fundamental values of an intellectual community and depreciates the achievement of the entire University community.

Accordingly, Northeastern University views academic dishonesty as one of the most serious offenses that a student can commit while in college.

The following is a broad overview of what constitutes academic dishonesty, but is not meant to be an all-encompassing definition.

CHEATING

Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise.

Examples:

Unauthorized use of notes, text or other aids during an examination
Copying from other student’s examination, research paper, case write-up, lab report, homework, computer disk, etc.
Talking during an examination
Handing the same paper in for more than one course without the explicit permission of the instructor
Hiding notes in a calculator for use during an examination

FABRICATION

Intentional and unauthorized falsification, misrepresentation, or invention of any information, data or citation in an academic exercise.

Examples:

Making up the data for a research paper
Altering the results of a lab experiment or survey
Listing a citation for a source not used
Stating an opinion as a scientifically proven fact

PLAGARISM

Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise without providing proper documentation of source by way of a footnote, endnote, or intertextual note.

The following sources demand notation:

Word for word quotation from a source, including another student’s work
Paraphrase: using ideas of others in your own words
Unusual or controversial facts – facts not apt to be found in many places
Interviews, radio, television programs and telephone conversations

UNAUTHORIZED COLLABORATION

This refers to instances when students, each claiming sole authorship, submit separate reports, which are substantially similar to one another. While several students may have the same source material (as in case write-ups), the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of the data must be each individual’s.

PARTICIPATION IN ACADEMICALLY DISHONEST ACTIVITIES

Examples:

Stealing an examination
Using a pre-written paper through a mail-order or other service
Selling, loaning or otherwise distribution materials for the purpose of cheating, plagiarism, or other academically dishonest acts
Alteration, theft, forgery, or destruction of the academic work of other students, library materials, laboratory materials, or academic records including transcripts, course registration cards, course syllabi, and examination/course grades

FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Intentionally or knowingly helping to violate any provisions of this policy.

Examples:

Inaccurately listing someone as co-author of a paper, case write-up or project who did not contribute
Sharing a take home examination, homework assignment, case write-up, lab report, etc., with another without expressed permission from the instructor
Taking an examination or writing a paper for another student

All members of Northeastern University community, students, faculty, and staff, share the same responsibility to bring forward known acts of apparent academic dishonesty. Any member of the academic community who witnesses an act of academic dishonesty should report it to the appropriate faculty member or to the Director of Judicial Affairs.

The charge will be investigated and if sufficient evidence is presented, the case will be referred to the University Court or to the Graduate Court.

If found responsible of an academic dishonesty violation, a minimum sanction of probation will follow.