The following policy applies to all Saint Mary’s online and campus courses.
Cheating
“The attempt to secure a grade by unethical means. Knowingly assisting someone to cheat is itself cheating” (Academic Regulation 19c, SMU Academic Calendar 2009 – 2010, p.22).
Examples of cheating include:
- impersonating someone during a test or exam
- copying or sharing information during a test or exam
- using or possessing unauthorized materials (e.g., notes, books, calculators) during a test or exam
- obtaining or looking at a copy of a test or exam before it is administered
- improper use of technology (e.g., Personal Digital Assistants to store and retrieve information during an exam)
- unauthorized collaboration between students when individual work is required
Plagiarism “The presentation of words, ideas or techniques of another as one’s own. This definition is not restricted to literary works and applies to all forms of information or ideas that belong to another (e.g., computer programs, mathematical solutions, scientific experiments, graphical images, or data)” (Academic Regulation 19b, SMU Academic Calendar 2009 – 2010, p.22).
Examples of plagiarism include:
- quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing text without proper acknowledgment
- paraphrasing too closely (e.g., changing only a few words or simply rearranging the text)
- submitting the same paper for credit in more than one course without the permission of the instructors involved
- downloading all or part of a paper, journal article, or book from the Internet or a library database and presenting it as one’s own work
- purchasing papers from the Internet and presenting them as one’s own work
- sharing papers including the selling of essays, tests, or other assignments
Falsification
“It is an offence to falsify any academic record or to use a falsified record” (Academic Regulation 19d, SMU Academic Calendar 2009 – 2010, p.22).
xamples of falsification include:
- submitting a false excuse for missing a class, exam, etc. (e.g., forging a medical or death certificate)
- falsifying course work (e.g., altering or making up data, using fake citations in a bibliography)
- changing the answers on a returned assignment and resubmitting it to be reevaluated
- submitting false information on a university admission form or other documentation
Tampering
“It is an offence to tamper with University library materials or computer system resources in any way which would deprive others of their use” (Academic Regulation 19d, SMU Academic Calendar 2009 – 2010, p.22).
Examples of tampering include:
- destroying, hiding, or stealing library materials
- altering or destroying university computer programs or files without authorization
- accessing and altering official records without authorization
If you are caught cheating, plagiarizing, falsifying, or tampering the follow actions are conducted.
Discipline Actions
“Usually, on the first offence of inappropriate conduct a mark of zero will be assigned to the work in question. The student will not be permitted to withdraw from the course. The instructor will inform the student, Deans of the Faculty in which the student is registered and/or the Faculty in which the course is taught, and Registrar, in writing, of the offence.
In the event of a second offence, or serious first offence, the University
may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
(i) a grade of F in the course;
(ii) a record of the offence on the student’s transcript;
(iii) suspension from the University;
(iv) dismissal from the University;
(v) revocation of degrees, diplomas or certificates.
Withdrawal from a course prior to the discovery of the offence does not restrict the University’s right to take action. Further information is found below in the Student Discipline sub-section of Section 8. Especially to be noted is subsection c: Authority of the President of the University. (Academic Regulation 19e, SMU Academic Calendar 2009 – 2010, p.22)
