Academic Integrity Policy
The Academic Integrity Policy of Rockford University was developed by the Faculty, in consultation with University leadership and faculty sub-committees, for the purpose of replacing the outdated Academic Honor Code of the University and thereby more effectively promoting the educational mission of the University, enhancing fairness and justice in matters related to violations of academic integrity, ensuring accountability in record-keeping and actions taken, and providing guidance for students, faculty, and leadership on matters of academic integrity.[1]
The full Academic Integrity Policy can be found linked below:
The Importance of Understanding both Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
One of the most important and valuable practices in academia is drawing on the work of others and giving proper credit when doing so. Thus, it is paramount that all students at Rockford University uphold standards of academic integrity, ensuring readers, such as professors, that the student-author is trustworthy, honest in her or his representation of ideas, and dedicated to the tradition of honor at Rockford University. All students are expected to know the information below and could face negative consequences if they do not.
What is Plagiarism?
The Council of Writing Program Administrators explains that “in an instructional setting, plagiarism occurs when a writer deliberately uses someone else’s language, ideas, or other original (not common-knowledge) material without acknowledging its source.” The Council goes on to explain that this definition “applies to texts published in print or on-line, to manuscripts, and to the work of other student writers.” In simplest terms, plagiarism is representing another person’s language or ideas as your own.
Plagiarism might include a student deliberately lifting another writer’s words and failing to give proper credit or a student inadequately or improperly citing sources in a research assignment.
Related Matters
Obviously, it is a violation of the most fundamental rules of academic honesty for students to hand in as their own work what has been done for them by another individual, by a company that sells papers, or by an online database of “free” college essays. Also, the rules of academic honesty require that students never destroy or make unauthorized use of information or data stored in a computer or other educational machine. Students should also refrain from using the same works for two or more courses without securing in advance the permission of their instructors.
It is important that all members of the RU community share the responsibility for maintaining a reputable University committed to academic excellence. Faculty are encouraged to promote academic honesty among students by including a statement in the course syllabus and by discussing issues such as cheating and plagiarism. Similarly, students should protect themselves by thoroughly studying and preparing for tests and assignments and by discouraging dishonesty among other students.
