Academic Honesty Policy

PURPOSE

Academic integrity at Jefferson Community College is essential to individual growth and development of all students. Each member of this institution is committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. Failure to maintain such standards can seriously undermine and impede the educational process. Thus, any form of academic dishonesty is a serious concern to the College community and deemed unacceptable.

DEFINITIONS:

Certain terms are used in this document with specific meanings, as defined in this section.

1. Academic dishonesty: No listing can define all possible types of academic dishonesty; thus, the following should be viewed as examples of infractions rather than an all-inclusive list. Unacceptable types of behavior in relation to academic honesty include the following:
   1. Plagiarism is the misrepresentation of any part of another’s work as one’s own. While it is expected that a student who is engaged in writing will utilize information from sources other than personal experience, acknowledgement and citation of such sources is necessary. Plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional, but neither type of plagiarism is acceptable in a college
      Examples of plagiarism include
      1. using a direct quotation without citing the source,
      2. paraphrasing the ideas or expressions of another without giving credit,
      3. representing the thoughts of others as one’s own by failing to acknowledge or document sources, or
      4. submitting any work which has been borrowed, stolen, or purchased from someone else.
   2. Cheating in the academic context involves conducting matters fraudulently so as to profit oneself. Some examples of cheating include
      1. 1. the copying of an examination, assignment, or other work to be evaluated;
         2. unauthorized use of artificial intelligence;
         3. unauthorized collaboration on work to be evaluated; and
         4. unauthorized reuse of previously submitted work
   3. Theft includes the stealing of another’s work or work materials (including teacher materials) such as laboratory endeavors, computer programs, class projects and library materials.
   4. Destruction of property/sabotage includes any attempt to stop others from successfully completing their work or using campus resources.
   5. Deception in the academic environment involves hiding or distorting the truth in regard to an academic assignment or activity. Examples include
      1. lying about the reason for an absence,
      2. fabricating data, or
      3. claiming the work of group members as your own during a group project.
   6. Misuse of electronic devices includes (but is not limited to) hacking, misrepresenting their or someone else’s identity, and looking for answers on a test using the internet. Many of the previous examples of academic dishonesty above can involve the misuse of electronic devices.
2. The term academic penalty, in this document, refers to the following consequences, which are based on the severity of the offense:
   1. a written reprimand;
   2. a grade reduction or failing grade on the assignment in question;
   3. a grade reduction or failing grade in the course;
   4. suspension or dismissal from the College.

STATEMENT OF POLICY:

1. All students are subject to the Academic Honesty
2. Any student found responsible for academic dishonesty will be subject to disciplinary action outlined in the College’s Student Code of Conduct Policy.
3. College instructors and administrators are responsible for determining an appropriate academic penalty.
4. Academic dishonesty that incurs an academic penalty will be documented by the instructor. A report must also be filed with the office of the Chief Academic
5. A student may appeal an academic penalty through the Protection Against Improper Academic Evaluation process outlined in the “Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities” adopted by the College.
6. The Chief Academic Officer is responsible for overseeing this policy.

 

Academic Honesty Policy
Adopted: Dec 1989 (Res. 163-89)
Revised:  Dec 2024 (Res. 183-24)