Academic Integrity Policy

CHEATING | FABRICATION | PLAGIARISM | UNAUTHORIZED COLLABORATION | PARTICIPATION IN DISHONESTY | FACILITATING DISHONESTY | GUIDELINES

A commitment to the principles of academic integrity is essential to the mission of Northeatern University. The promotion of independent and original scholarship ensures that students derive the most from their educational experience and their pursuit of knowledge. Academic dishonesty violates the most fundamental values of an intellectual community and undermines the achievements of the entire University.

The following is a broad overview, but not an all-encompassing definition, of what constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Cheating: The University defines cheating as intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. When completing any academic assignment, a student shall rely on his or her own mastery of the subject.

Examples:

  • Unauthorized use of notes, text, the Internet, or other aids during an examination.
  • Copying from another student’s academic work.
  • Unauthorized communication during an examination.
  • Handing in the same paper for more than one course without the explicit permission of the instructor(s).
  • Intentionally viewing a test before it is administered.
  • Storing notes in a portable electronic device for use during an examination.

Fabrication: The University defines fabrication as intentional and unauthorized falsification, misrepresentation, or invention of any information, data, or citation in an academic exercise.

Examples:

  • Inventing data or facts for an academic assignment.
  • Altering the results of a lab experiment or survey.
  • Citing a source in a bibliography that was not used.
  • Stating an opinion as a scientifically proven fact.

Plagiarism: The University defines plagiarism as intentionally representing the words, ideas, or data of another as one’s own in any academic exercise without providing proper citation.

The following sources require citation:

  • Word-for-word quotation from a source, including another student’s work.
  • Paraphrasing (using the ideas of others in your own words).
  • Unusual or controversial facts not widely recognized.
  • Audio, video, digital, or live exchanges of ideas, dialogue, or information.

Students unclear as to whether or not a source requires citation should speak with their professor or consult the Writing Center in 412 Holmes Hall.

Unauthorized Collaboration: The University defines unauthorized collaboration as instances when students submit individual academic works that are substantially similar to one another. While several students may have the same source material, the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of the data must be each individual's independent work.

Examples:

  • Sharing a take-home examination, case write-up, lab report, or any other assignment with a peer without express permission from the instructor.
  • Completing an academic exercise with the aid of a peer, but unfairly crediting all work to oneself.

Participation in Academically Dishonest Activities: The University defines participation in academically dishonest activities as any action taken by a student with the intent of gaining an unfair advantage.

Examples:

  • Misrepresenting oneself or one's circumstances to an instructor.
  • Stealing an examination.
  • Purchasing a pre-written paper.
  • Selling, loaning, or otherwise distributing materials for the purpose of cheating, plagiarism, or other academically dishonest acts.
  • Destroying, altering, stealing, or forging another student's work, library materials, laboratory materials, academic records, course syllabi, or examination/course grades. 
  • Intentionally missing an examination or assignment deadline to gain an unfair advantage.
  • Forging information or signatures on official University documents.

Facilitating Academic Dishonesty: The University defines facilitating academic dishonesty as intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to violate any provision of this policy.

Examples:

  • Doing academic work for another student.
  • Making available previously used academic work for another individual with the intention of resubmitting the work for credit.

Guidelines
All members of the Northeastern University community share a role in upholding the Academic Integrity Policy. Any member of the community who witnesses a violation of this policy should report it to the appropriate faculty member or the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution.

Cases referred to the Office of Student Conduct & Conflict Resolution will be investigated and, if sufficient evidence is presented, the case will be referred to the University's Student Conduct Board. If a student is found responsible for violating any of the preceding items, a minimum sanction of deferred suspension will follow. A second violation will meet with expulsion from the University.

Students who violate Northeastern University's Academic Integrity Policy may also be subject to individual course penalties. This can result in, but is not restricted to, failing the course, in addition to any University penalty. All instructors must reference academic integrity in their syllabi.

If a student feels that he or she has been wrongly accused of violating the Academic Integrity Policy, the student has the right to appeal the charge to the body that first issued the sanction.