Academic integrity is essential to the existence of an academic community. Every student is responsible for fostering a culture of academic honesty, and for maintaining the integrity and academic reputation of Lindsey Wilson College. Maintaining a culture that supports learning and growth requires that each student make a commitment to the fundamental academic values: honesty, integrity, responsibility, trust, respect for self and others, fairness, and justice. 

To foster commitment to academic integrity, faculty are asked to require each student to place and sign the following Honor Code on tests, exams, and other assignments as appropriate: On my honor as a student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/exam. 

Violations of the academic integrity policy include cheating, plagiarism, or lying about academic matters. Plagiarism is defined as any use of another writer's words, concepts, or sequence of ideas without acknowledging that writer by the use of proper documentation. Not only the direct quotation of another writer's words, but also, any paraphrase or summary of another writer's concepts or ideas without documentation is plagiarizing that writer's materials. Academic dishonesty is a profoundly serious offense because it involves an act of fraud that jeopardizes genuine efforts by faculty and students to teach and learn together. It is not tolerated at Lindsey Wilson College. 

Students who are determined to have plagiarized an assignment or otherwise cheated in their academic work or examinations may expect an F for the activity in question or an F for the course, at the discretion of the instructor. All incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported by the instructor to the Academic Affairs Office along with copies of all relevant materials. Each instance of cheating or plagiarism is counted separately. A student who cheats or plagiarizes in two assignments or tests during the same semester will be deemed guilty of two offenses. If the evidence is unclear or if a second offense occurs, the VP for Academic Affairs or Associate Dean will refer the case to the Judicial Board for review. Violations will ordinarily result in disciplinary suspension or expulsion from the College, depending on the severity of the violation involved. 

Note: The College has purchased Turnitin.com, a web product used to detect plagiarized documents.  Faculty are encouraged to use this tool.