Donald L. McCabe, Linda Trevino, Linda Kelbe, and Kenneth D. Butterfield in “Cheating in Academic Institutions: A Decade of Research,” which appeared in Ethics and Behavior 11.3 (July 2001), report that “cheating behavior can be effectively managed in the classroom” by “numerous strategies, including clearly communicating expectations regarding cheating behavior, establishing policies regarding appropriate conduct, and encouraging students to abide by those policies” (p. 229).

This process may start with the two questions that James M. Lang poses in his book Cheating Lessons (2013): “What does it mean for students to do their own work in my discipline? Why does it matter?” (p. 202).

With the above aims in mind, all faculty members should consider the following questions in developing academic honesty policies and procedures for their syllabi.

*Do you discuss with your students why academic honesty is important and why students need to follow these policies and practices?

See The Importance of Academic Honesty in a University Community

*Does your syllabus provide your definition of what constitutes plagiarism?

See A. Academic Integrity Violations in VSU’s Academic Conduct Code at https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/academic-affairs/academic-honesty-policies-and-procedures.php

*Do you inform students about VSU’s policies and procedures for academic dishonesty?

See Academic Honesty Policies and Procedures

*Does your syllabus describe what penalties you use for plagiarism and/or the misuse of sources:

  • failure (or a 0) for the assignment?
  • deduction of a certain number of points?
  • failure for the class?
  • a requirement to rewrite and resubmit?
  • submission of an “Academic Integrity Report”?

*Does your syllabus explain what measures you may use in this class to prevent academic dishonesty? 

  • Will you be using Turnitin, a tool available in BlazeVIEW to help detect similarities between student written work and other written work? If you do, please use the following syllabus statement:

By taking this course, you agree that all required course work may be subject to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin, a tool within BlazeVIEW. For more information on the use of Turnitin at VSU see Turnitin for Students

  • Will you be using Respondus Monitor, a fully automated proctoring solution for online exams? If you do, please use the following syllabus statement:

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be built into your computer or externally attached through a USB cable. Watch this short video (http://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml) for an introductory understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature. A Quick Start Guide for Students (http://www.respondus.com/products/monitor/guides.shtml) is also available.