Some Special Notes on Academic Integrity for Students: FAQ

Does Penn have an Honor Code?

Where can I find the Code of Academic Integrity?

Is the Code of Academic Integrity all-inclusive or are some possible violations not explicitly enumerated?

When an academic requirement is not clear to me where can I turn?

If I need academic help, where do I go?

Are students required to "turn each other in"?

Who should I go to if I want to "report" someone for cheating?

Can I report an academic integrity violation anonymously?

If the OSC calls me in regard to an investigation, do I have to talk to them?

What kinds of considerations are taken into account when the OSC proposes sanctions?

Can I have someone come with me to OSC if I am accused of cheating?

Will I get a chance to tell my side of the story if I am accused of cheating?

What happens to my grade if I am caught cheating in a class?

What will my transcript say if I have been found responsible for cheating?

Will all my teachers be told if I am found responsible for cheating?

Will the OSC call my parents if I am reported for cheating?

What are the most common kinds of cheating cases referred to the OSC?

Are there "typical" sanctions in a cheating case?

Where can I learn about plagiarism guidelines?

Does Penn have an Honor Code?

Penn does not have a traditional Honor Code, nor is Penn considered a traditional "Honor Code School." "Honor code schools" typically feature: honor pledges; student-run honor systems; unproctored exams; the requirement to "turn in" suspected cheating incidents, etc. Penn does, however, have a Code of Academic Integrity which articulates the expectations of the University and which provides examples of ways in which the requirement of academic integrity can be violated.

Where can I find the Code of Academic Integrity?

It is in the Pennbook (the published handbook of University Rules, Regulations and Policies), in the Handbooks of the undergraduate schools, and also on line at http://www.upenn.edu/osl/acadint.html and http://www.college.upenn.edu/responsibilities/integrity.html and accessible from the Honor Council's and OSC's websites.

Is the Code of Academic Integrity all-inclusive or are some possible violations not explicitly enumerated?

The Code of Academic Integrity prohibits activities which have the effect of, or are intended to interfere with education, the pursuit of knowledge, or the fair assessment of a student's work. The activities which follow this general prohibition are examples only and do not cover all possible ways in which the Code can be violated.

When an academic requirement is not clear to me where can I turn?

The first place to turn for an explanation or clarification is to the faculty member in charge of the course, or the T.A. assigned to the course. You can always seek additional guidance from the Honor Council or from the OSC.

If I need academic help, where do I go?

In addition to the faculty member in charge of the course, you can often turn to a number of other resources. Your College House Dean, faculty fellow and faculty master are valuable assets.

For computing support, consider the following:
Students living in the College Houses and Mayer Hall receive computing support from Information Technology Advisors, fellow students who also live in their residence. See the College House Computing web site or call 215-573-4052 for more information.

Students living off-campus, in Sansom Place East or West, or in a fraternity or sorority house will receive their computing support from ISC's Computing Resource Center (CRC) and First Call (215-573-4778). The CRC is located at Sansom Place West, 3650 Chestnut St., Suite 202, and is open 1-4:30, M-F. Help is also available via e-mail at help@isc.upenn.edu.

For academic support/tutoring, there are extensive resources on the Tutoring and Learning Resource site of Academic Support Programs.

Are students required to "turn each other in"?

No. However, if you witness or become aware of cheating, you have several options.

Who should I go to if I want to "report" someone for cheating?

You may approach your professor or T.A. with your concerns. You may consult with the Honor Council or with the OSC (898-5651). Alleged academic integrity violations are a serious matter and should always be addressed with discretion and good judgment. They are not an appropriate subject for gossip.

Can I report an academic integrity violation anonymously?

Yes. The OSC will attempt to investigate and resolve an anonymous allegation of academic integrity. If the OSC uncovers enough evidence independent of your initial report, it can proceed with the matter without your involvment. However, if you have critical evidence, you will either have to participate in a confidential disciplinary proceeding or the matter will have to be dropped by the OSC.

If the OSC calls me in regard to an investigation, do I have to talk to them?

Yes. All students of the University must cooperate fully and honestly with the disciplinary process.

What kinds of considerations are taken into account when the OSC proposes sanctions?

The OSC considers the seriousness of the incident, whether anyone else was directly harmed, the level of planning and deliberate conduct involved, whether the student has a history of misconduct, the student's attitude with the OSC, where the student is in his/her Penn career (e.g. freshman, senior, grad student) and any other mitigating, aggravating or other personal circumstances that come to light.

Can I have someone come with me to OSC if I am accused of cheating?

Yes. Every student about whom a complaint has been made to the OSC is entitled to an advisor to accompany him/her through the process.

Will I get a chance to tell my side of the story if I am accused of cheating?

Yes. If a complaint has been made to OSC, you will have a full (often repeated) opportunity to share your story with the OSC, ask any questions you want and provide any and all documentation you think is helpful.

What happens to my grade if I am caught cheating in a class?

If you are found responsible (or admit being responsible) for cheating, the instructor can assign any grade he deems appropriate, either for the assignment or for the course (that includes an "F"). If you are not found responsible then the faculty member should grade you on academic merit only. If you feel that he or she hasn't graded you fairly you can appeal through the grade appeal applicable to the school in which you took the course. The grade is always assigned by the faculty member, not the OSC.

What will my transcript say if I have been found responsible for cheating?

Ordinarily, the fact of a finding of academic dishonestly does not appear on the academic transcript itself. On rare and serious occasions, a notation of a finding of a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity is placed directly on your transcript. However, it is important that you know that the violation becomes a part of your educational records and is kept permanently. This record is accessible to the Deans of your schools and is maintained by the Office of Student Conduct on the Student Records System. Many graduate schools, professional schools, and some employers may require you to release your disciplinary records when you apply to them and if such a release is obtained from the student, your disciplinary records will be shared with such schools and/or employers.

Will all my teachers be told if I am found responsible for cheating?

No, only the faculty member who made the complaint originally.

Will the OSC call my parents if I am reported for cheating?

No. The decision to inform your parents if you are involved in an academic integrity matter will be yours.

What are the most common kinds of cheating cases referred to the OSC?

Plagiarism (submitting another student's paper, or downloading a paper from the Internet, or copying from a scholarly source and not giving proper attribution, etc.); Seeking a regrade for exams by altering the original answers the original grade was based upon; Bringing notes into an examination; Using a phony excuse to obtain more time to submit a paper or take a make-up exam; Improper collaboration on take-home exams or homework; Copying answers from another student during an exam.

Are there "typical" sanctions in a cheating case?

The disciplinary Charter states that the ordinary sanction for a first-time cheating case is a one term suspension. Many students are therefore suspended for an academic integrity violation. However, mitigating or aggravating circumstances could result in either probation or even expulsion. An academic integrity violation always becomes a part of a student's disciplinary/educational record and is sent to office of the Dean of the student's school.

Where can I learn about plagiarism guidelines?

Look at these useful plagiarism URLs:

http://www.northwestern.edu/uacc/plagiar.html
http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/wts/plagiarism.html
http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~janicke/plagiary.htm
http://sja.ucdavis.edu/SJA/plagiarism.html#how