STATEMENT of VALUES for STUDENT ACADEMIC INTEGRITY at UMBC

Academic integrity is an important value at UMBC.  By enrolling in a course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in the scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Rigorous standards allow UMBC students, faculty and administrators, as well as scholars and employers in the larger community, to trust that the work that students submit is the fruit of their own learning and academic effort.

The purposes of higher education are the learning students and faculty undertake, the knowledge and thinking skills developed, and the enhancement of personal qualities that enable students to be strong contributing members of society.  In a competitive world, it is essential that all members of the UMBC community uphold a standard that places the integrity of each student’s honestly earned achievements above higher grades or easier work dishonestly sought.

All members of the UMBC community are expected to make a commitment to academic honesty in their own actions and with others.  Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include suspension or dismissal.  Following are examples of academic misconduct that are not tolerated at UMBC:

·        Cheating:  Knowingly using or attempting to sue unauthorized material, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.

·        Fabrication:  Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

·        Facilitating Academic Dishonesty:  Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.

·        Plagiarism:  Knowingly representing the words of ideas of another as one’s own in any academic exercise, including works of art and computer-generated information/images.

Students should consult UMBC’s Student Academic Conduct Policy for information on policy and procedures for upholding UMBC’s high standards for academic integrity.  Students who have questions or concerns are encouraged to talk with a member of the faculty or administration for assistance.