ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Considerations for a BSU Mass Communication Dept. policy
National Cheating Factoids*
Worst offenders:
Men
Fraternity and sorority members
Those employed many hours
97% of students report at least one instance of cheating; 30% have had their parents do their work
44% of faculty say they’ve let it go by
Overall, cheating has increased
*BSU Academic integrity symposium, 2/26
Honor Codes can help
Traditional
Unproctored tests, written pledge, enforcement by students, guilt by association, serious consequences
Modified
Written pledges optional, more faculty involvement, proctored tests
To adopt an honor code. . .
Be inclusive
Include students in its formation
If it goes on transcripts, there should be a way to review it
Use peer education
Keep everyone constantly informed
Leadership is essential
Must apply to everyone, including faculty
Our aspirations: Preamble
Should address why our dept. needs its own specific policy
Pressures of utilitarian culture
(If it works or makes money, it’s ok)
Social responsibility theory of the press
Our focus on truth, honesty, clarity, transparency as professional values
Cheating is particularly easy in this time, in our culture and in our field
The public nature of our work
The basics: BSU’s code
Should we simply defer to that code?
A lot of possible options within it
Maximum vs. minimum sanctions
Reporting to BSU Academic Judicial Review Board? May? Must?
Activist Dept? Must we act on student reports?


Departmental questions
Do we keep a departmental file?
Permanent, temporary, on transcript?
Report? Stay within Dept? Send to BSU board?
Department Review board?
If so, who should be on it? What power should it have?
Discuss with students? Each class? All classes together each semester?
Should students sign an honor code?
Must faculty always sanction?