Academic Integrity Policy

Academic integrity is a highly valued principle that undergirds all facets of academic life at Graceland University. Adherence to principles of honesty is a requisite for preparing students as competent responsible persons. Students admitted to the university are expected to uphold standards of academic integrity, i.e. the avoidance of fraud, plagiarism and cheating in any form.

1. FRAUD. Fraud is the act of deceit or misrepresentation.
   The following list describes ways to avoid the most common forms of fraud.
   1. Do not alter or falsify or misrepresent an academic document.
   2. Do not help someone alter or falsify an academic document.
   3. Do not communicate false information whether oral, written, electronic or nonverbal.
   4. Do not forge signatures.
2. PLAGIARISM. Plagiarism is representing someone else’s work as your own.
   The following list describes ways to avoid the most common forms of plagiarism.
   1. Set off all direct quotations within quotation marks or within the text in a block quote form. To fail to indicate direct quotations by one of these two methods is to commit plagiarism even if the failure is accidental and even if you give the source of the quotation. In a speech you must also indicate the beginning, ending and source of all direct quotations to the audience.
   2. If you derive an idea from another source, cite the source unless the idea is common knowledge, that is, unless people familiar with the subject you are discussing are aware of the idea.
   3. Cite the source of paraphrased material and avoid excessive paraphrasing. Too much paraphrasing minimizes your contribution.
   4. Submit papers that consist substantially of your own work. Do not buy, borrow or use complete, or nearly complete, papers from any source, electronic or otherwise.
3. CHEATING. The following list describes ways to avoid the most common forms of cheating.
   1. Do not give assistance to, or receive assistance from, another person, or use unauthorized notes, books, etc., when an examination or assignment is supposed to be your own work.
   2. Do not falsify research results or violate codes for the treatment of human or animal subjects.
   3. Do not violate the policies of proctors, preceptors or supervisors.
   4. Do not use an electronic copy of another person’s work as the starting point of your own work without the instructor’s permission.
   5. On collaborative works, include the names of all participants on any copies that are submitted for evaluation.

An instructor may assign a grade of "F" for the course in cases of fraud, plagiarism and/or cheating. When an "F" grade is assigned, the student may not drop the course. All cases of fraud, plagiarism and/or cheating will be reported to the respective dean or division chair, and dean of faculty. Violation of the academic integrity policy may have additional consequences including sanctions or dismissal from a program or from Graceland University.