Cheating Policy

I understand that it is often helpful to work on projects, homework and to study for tests with other students. I encourage you to do this, as I believe that all involved benefit from this practice. This, however, does not abrogate the responsibility of the student to produce their own work, and by no means does it allow the student to plagiarize.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism may be defined as the act of taking ideas and/or expression of ideas of another person and representing them as one's own. It is nothing less than an act of theft, and, as such, is subject to University disciplinary action. The penalty for plagiarism may include a failing grade for the assignment in question and/or a failing grade for the course.

Clearly, plagiarism defeats the central purpose of education, namely, to enable one to think and formulate one's own ideas. The student who has doubts about whether his/her work may constitute plagiarism should consult with the course instructor prior to submitting the work. The instructor can provide clear guidance on how the student can avoid committing this act of academic misconduct. Unless otherwise stated, work turned in by a student is expected to be substantially the work of that student and that student alone. You may discuss problems with others, have others assist you in tasks such as debugging but you are responsible for performing your own work.

If, in my opinion, work turned in by a student is not the work of that student, I WILL take appropriate actions. This can include a failing grade for the assignment, a failing grad for the class, as well as other disciplinary actions.

Some Examples

Sue and Bill are in the same programming class. On Monday they are given a programming assignment. After class, they discuss the algorithm and the data structures that they will use. I feel that this is perfectly acceptable.

On Tuesday, Sue has just about finished her program when Bill walks into the lab. She is having a problem with a few syntax errors, which Bill helps her fix. This again is acceptable.

Later, Bill asks Sue for a copy of her code so he can correct "just a few minor logic errors". Sue gives Bill a copy of her program and Bill changes the comments and submits the code as his own. This is cheating. Both Bill and Sue have engaged in cheating and will be treated as such.

Later, Bill and Sue are working on homework. They work through each problem as a team, both contributing and both understanding the problem and the solution. This is acceptable. It is expected, however, that each will produce an individual solution. Identical solutions, or solutions which differ only by cosmetic alterations are not acceptable. Furthermore, it is expected that students working closely together will credit each other in their solutions.

Tom, sitting at the table next to Bill and Sue, is listening to their discussion and copying down their solutions. This is cheating.