ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students
You are responsible for completing your coursework honestly and fairly, for knowing the limits of collaboration on your projects and for citing sources properly. Sounds pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? After all, everyone knows the importance of completing assignments carefully, without cheating or copying.
Sometimes, though, when the pressures of a busy term start to take their toll, you might be tempted to take shortcuts that result in violations of the Academic Integrity policy—often without even knowing it. Unintentional plagiarism is the most commonly reported form of academic misconduct at MacEwan University. Intentional or not, it’s up to you to understand the principles of academic integrity, follow the policy and accept the consequences if you fail to do so.
Understand the regulations governing academic integrity and learn about our commitment to fostering honesty, fairness and ethical behaviour through prevention and education.
By reading the policy, and asking questions about the parts you don't understand, you are taking responsibility for honest and ethical participation in your post-secondary coursework.
Understand the policy
Support is available if you need help interpreting the policy and how it affects your academic work.
Understand course requirements
The policy talks about what constitutes academic misconduct. If you violate the policy, even unintentionally, you are responsible for the misconduct. Your instructor can explain assignment and exam expectations in detail and help you understand parameters and grading criteria.
Education is key to prevention. On campus or online, you have access to tools and resources that will help you understand academic integrity expectations, including print and digital materials on research, writing and citation, studying and time management.
A friend asks to borrow an essay from a course you were in last term. A classmate sitting next to you looks at your exam answers. You decide to post an assignment you're particularly proud of on social media. To your instructor, these scenarios are all examples of academic misconduct.
You are responsible for taking reasonable precautions to prevent your papers, projects, essays, tests, exams, evaluations and reports—or any other form of academic work that will result in an assessment—from being used by others.
We all have a role to play in creating a campus with integrity. If you suspect someone has violated the Academic Integrity policy, we encourage you to tell the instructor or speak with the Academic Integrity Facilitator.
Have you witnessed or experienced inappropriate or unethical behaviour? Are you unsure of how, where or if you should report? Do you want to report anonymously?
If your instructor suspects you of academic misconduct, a specific process is set in motion. You, your instructor and university administration all have specific tasks to complete and steps to follow.
It's to your advantage to learn more about the investigation procedure and the supports in place to guide you through the process. You have the right to be investigated and adjudicated fairly. You also have the right to be heard and to challenge your instructor's decision if you believe you have been wrongly accused.