As members of an academic community that places a high value on truth and the pursuit of knowledge, Saint Leo University students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs. Unless otherwise specified by the professor, students must complete homework assignments by themselves (or if on a team assignment, with only their team members). If they receive outside assistance of any kind, they are expected to cite the source and indicate the extent of the assistance. Each student has the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity and to refrain from cheating, plagiarism or any other form of academic dishonesty.
Academic dishonesty is representing another's work as one's own, active complicity in such falsification or violating test conditions. Plagiarism is stealing and passing off the ideas and words of another as one's own or using the work of another without crediting the source.
The University will hold students responsible for safeguarding their work against plagiarism by others. For example, papers left on hard drives or floppy disks are easily copied and, when two or more students submit papers that are essentially the same, it is often impossible to determine which version was written first and which was plagiarized. In cases of this nature, the actions of both students will be reviewed by the appropriate body and appropriate sanctions may be awarded to one or all students.
Questions of academic honesty are of great importance to Saint Leo University. Infractions are addressed by the Office of Academic Affairs. When there is a reason to suspect that a student has violated either the University's policy on academic honesty or the faculty member's specific codes as outlined in the course syllabus, the faculty member must, in private, via email discuss the charges and the evidence with the student, without taking any punitive action. Any punitive action that needs to be taken will be determined by the OASC only. The faculty member will as soon as possible submit a Faculty Adjudication Form (FAF) and any additional documentation necessary of the suspected violation.
For students enrolled in the Center for Online Learning, the report goes to the Online Academic Standards Committee (OASC).
The report of the faculty member will normally include these points:
1.The faculty member's charge against the student.
2.The evidence supporting the faculty member's charge. Turnitin.com is the official tool that is being used by Saint Leo University to identify possible honor code violations.
3.Documentation of the electronic discussion between the student and the faculty member, including any admission or denial of guilt by the student.
Upon receipt of the faculty member's report, OASC will schedule a hearing and inform the student, and faculty member via email, of the date and time of the hearing. The OASC also will attach copies of the faculty member's report.
A student is not permitted to withdraw from a course while the infraction is under investigation. The student is required to attend the hearing.
If the student does not attend the hearing, the OASC will render a default judgment with appropriate sanctions.
After reviewing the evidence and hearing the argument of both parties, the Committee will render a decision on the charge and determine any sanctions that are appropriate.
The sanctions for academic dishonesty such as cheating on an examination, plagiarism, forgery of academic documents (including signing another's name), copying of computer programs or information and similar offenses, are as follows:
1.The minimum sanction for the first offense is an "F" for the test or assignment but the usual sanction is an "F" in the course in which the violation took place. No provision will be made for the student to receive a "W."
2.The minimum sanction for the second offense is an F in the course, but the usual sanction is suspension of the student from Saint Leo University. Circumstances that would justify sanctions greater than the minimum include the student's previous academic and disciplinary record at the University or the particularly flagrant nature of the offense.
A Center for Online Learning student may appeal the decisions of the OASC to the Center for Online Learning Director who may accept or modify any finding, conclusion, or suggested sanction in the OASC's recommendation and issue the final decision of the University as soon as practical. The final authority rests with the Director of the Center for Online Learning.
It is the responsibility and obligation of each student personally to uphold the Academic Honor Code. Students are required to report any observed instance of academic dishonesty to the faculty member.
Academic dishonesty is defined in Saint Leo University's Honor Code as: representing another person's work as your own, active complicity in any falsification, or violating test conditions. Plagiarism is defined as: stealing and/or passing off someone else's ideas and works as your own or using the work of another individual without crediting them.
Center for Online Learning students are expected to be honest in all of their academic endeavors and present original work in all of their courses. It is your responsibility and obligation to uphold the University's Academic Honor Code.
All students are responsible for maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and refraining from cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty. You are required to report any instances of academic dishonesty whether observed or solicited to your Professor.
Academic dishonesty is defined as: representing another person's work as your own, active complicity in any falsification, or violating test conditions. Plagiarism is defined as: stealing and/or passing off someone else's ideas and works as your own or using the work of another individual without crediting them.
Unless otherwise specified by your Professor, you must complete all of your homework assignments by yourself (or, if assigned to a team, with only your other team members). If you receive outside assistance of any kind, you are expected to cite the source and indicate the extent of the assistance.
Examples of Academic Dishonesty:
Obtaining Information Illegitimately:
Complicity:
Misrepresentation:
Plagiarism:
Give credit to every one of your sources, even if you change information into your own words. When you use a writer's exact wording, put quotation marks around those words and use a citation.
Plagiarism means writing facts, opinions or quotations you get from someone else or from books, magazines, newspapers, journals, movies, television, tapes or the web as if they were your own and without identifying the source. Unintentional plagiarism still is plagiarism.
Document all sources using the citation style of either the American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Languages Association (MLA). Include a Works Cited (MLA) or References (APA) list at the end of your research paper.
You must acknowledge the source of any:
If a fact is common knowledge, don't show a source. For instance, John Adams was the second president.
The information supplied on documenting your sources was provided by Union Institute and University.
Additional information on How to Write a Research Paper and proper MLA and APA styling may be found on the following websites.
Remember it is your responsibility to cite all sources properly. Unintentional plagiarism still is plagiarism.
Students are expected to display respect for individuals and their rights within the Saint Leo University community. They are expected to express themselves through conduct, which does not deny other individuals the freedom to express their own individuality socially, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, and does not deny other individuals their rights. The Student Handbook contains detailed information concerning student guidelines and policies for students. Students are responsible for their behavior at all times. Students may be suspended from the University if they are judged to be disruptive or at odds with normal standards of good citizenship. A student whose conduct is damaging to the special interests of the University may expect disciplinary action. Saint Leo University maintains the right to dismiss or suspend any student for reasons that the Administration deems to be in the best interest of the University.
