Surviving with Integrity

1. Surviving with Integrity These sessions were developed by Dr. Mark Baetz and Dr. Detlev Nitsch as part of an academic integrity initiative supported by the School of Business and Economics, Wilfrid Laurier University. Any use of these materials should acknowledge the authors.

2. Objectives • Emphasize the importance of academic integrity as a core value for the WLU community • Define academic misconduct and demonstrate its harmful consequences • Reinforce integrity as a personal value for the leaders of tomorrow

3. Guidelines for this Session • Interactive session • Voluntary participation • Personal stories to be anonymous

4. High School Experience How frequently do the following occur at your high school? Often/Very Often Plagiarism on written assignments 49.3 Inappropriate sharing in group assignments 68.4 Cheating during tests/exams 44.3 Falsifying lab data 42.7 How strongly do you agree with the following statements? Agree or Agree Strongly Students who cheated at my high school were frequently caught 19.0 Cheating was a serious problem at my high school 18.5 Source: Wilfrid Laurier University, BBA Academic Integrity Survey conducted by Dr. Mark Baetz and Dr. Detlev Nitsch, September 2004. Original survey developed by Don McCabe.

5. Your Expectations • Data show higher expectations at University: • Cheaters will be caught • Cheaters will receive significant penalties • Instructors try hard to discourage cheating • Cheaters are embarrassed to tell their friends • Therefore: • You expect less cheating, that is, a more level playing field

6. Some Reasons for Cheating • Pressure to obtain high grades, from parents, teachers, employers, society, friends, peers, etc. • Heavy workload • Perception that the benefits of cheating outweigh the risks/consequences • Self-defence; perceives everyone else is doing it • Cultural differences Adapted from: Simon Fraser University (2004) “Final Report of the Task Force on Academic Integrity” Harris, R. (2001) The Plagiarism Handbook, Pyrezak Publishing

7. Some Reasons for Cheating • Assignments perceived as pointless, leading to lack of motivation and failure to buy in to the learning process • Rebellion, defiance • Failure to consider the impact on the student’s future, relationship with peers, the wider community, etc • Ignorance about what constitutes academic misconduct Adapted from: Simon Fraser University (2004) “Final Report of the Task Force on Academic Integrity” Harris, R. (2001) The Plagiarism Handbook, Pyrezak Publishing

8. Cheater Classmates Teaching Assistants Faculty Administrators Educational Institution Employers Alumni Funding providers … and more Who is Affected by Cheating?

9. Consequences of cheating • For the cheater: • You don’t learn • Penalties, up to and including expulsion from the University • Career difficulties • Stigmatization, ostracism • Embarrassment, lowered self-concept • Stress Adapted from: (2003) David Ellis, Becoming a Master Student, Canadian Third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 173

10. Consequences of Cheating • For the institution: • Loss of credibility and reputation • Degrees are tarnished • Negative media coverage • Outstanding student and faculty candidates no longer apply • Fundraising difficulties Adapted from: (2003) David Ellis, Becoming a Master Student, Canadian Third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 173

11. Newspaper headlines University uncovers plagiarism bombshell Simon Fraser wants to give failing grades to 47 copycats (National Post, January 7, 2002 p. A1) School shocked by extent of plagiarism case(National Post, January 7, 2002 p. A9) Cheating scandal shocks university (The Record, January 7, 2002, p. D9) Reproduced with permission

12. Consequences of cheating • For the cheater’s classmates: • Loss of opportunity to excel • Questions about value of degree • Feeling ‘suckered’ • Perception that the playing field is not level • ‘Whistleblower’ dilemmas Adapted from: (2003) David Ellis, Becoming a Master Student, Canadian Third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 173

13. Consequences of cheating • For others: • Alumni experience devaluation of their achievement • Faculty rely on cheat-proof evaluation methods instead of what’s best for teaching • Increased administrative and faculty workload • Employers view degrees as lesser quality Adapted from: (2003) David Ellis, Becoming a Master Student, Canadian Third Edition, Houghton Mifflin Company, p. 173

14. Classroom cheating and workplace behaviour “students who cheat on exams or … plagiarize … are more likely to believe it is acceptable to: • lie to a potential employer on an employment application • use insider information when buying and selling stocks • compromise their ethical standards to advance their careers.” Source: Lawson, R. (2004) “Is classroom cheating related to business students’ propensity to cheat in the real world?, Journal of Business Ethics, Vol 49, pp. 189-199.

15. University Policies • Calendar definition: • Open-ended: academic misconduct includes anything that “… may result in a false evaluation of the student(s), or represents a deliberate attempt to unfairly gain an academic advantage”. Source: WLU Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2006-2007, p. 110

16. plagiarism,… is the unacknowledged presentation, … of the work of others as one's own, … cheating,… involves … using, giving, and receiving … unauthorized information … impersonating another person… submitting the same piece of work,… for more than one course without permission … buying … term papersor assignments …; falsifying, misrepresenting or forgingan academic record or supporting document. University Policies Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following acts which are …examples … : Source: WLU Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2006-2007, p. 110 -111

17. Copying from a written source 89.6% Copying from another student during a test87.7% Turning in a paper copied from another student 86.4% Turning in a paper obtained from a term paper “mill”/website 83.0% What Many Students Consider ‘Serious’ Cheating Source: Wilfrid Laurier University, BBA Academic Integrity Survey conducted by Dr. Mark Baetz and Dr. Detlev Nitsch, September 2004. Original survey developed by Don McCabe.

18. What Few Students Consider ‘Serious’ Cheating • Sharing an assignment so others have an example to work from 4.6% • Working on assignments in groups when individual work was required 4.6% • Receiving unpermitted help on an assignment 9.5% • Submitting the same piece of work for credit 16.8% • Using false excuse to obtain extension on due date 17.9% Source: Wilfrid Laurier University, BBA Academic Integrity Survey conducted by Dr. Mark Baetz and Dr. Detlev Nitsch, September 2004. Original survey developed by Don McCabe.

19. University Policies • Sanctions: • Will also be levied for attempted academic misconduct • Penalties for the cheater as well as for being “a party to … acts of dishonesty”* • First contact is faculty/instructor • Case may escalate up to Department (Chair), Faculty (Dean) or University (VP Academic) level, depending on severity • Appeal process exists to ensure due process Source: WLU Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2006-2007, p. 111

20. University Policies Overarching policy principle: “The risk of cheating must be significantly greater than any potential reward.” Source: WLU Undergraduate Academic Calendar 2006-2007, p. 111

21. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help

22. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help

23. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help

24. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious. • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted. • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit. • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair. • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride. • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it. • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help.

25. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious. • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted. • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit. • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries. • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride. • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it. • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help.

26. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious. • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted. • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit. • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries. • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair. • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it. • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help.

27. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious. • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted. • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit. • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries. • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair. • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride. • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help.

28. Final Messages • No matter the form of academic misconduct, cheating is cheating, and the consequences can be very serious. • Read the Calendar and course syllabi, and talk to your Profs and TAs to clarify what is and is not permitted. • Never claim others’ work or ideas as your own – always give credit. • Never help others cheat – know and observe the boundaries. • If an issue comes to your attention, speak to your Professor and/or Department Chair. • Take pride in being a degree candidate at WLU, and make your behaviour worthy of that pride. • You will be proud of your degree only to the extent that you have earned it. • If you feel pressures that may tempt you to cheat, get help

29. Your professor Your teaching assistant University Calendars Writing Centre Library Academic Integrity Website www.wlu.ca/academicintegrity Where you can get help

30. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it. Source: 2004 Orientation Week Sessions

31. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

32. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

33. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

34. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

35. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

36. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it.

37. Previous Student Reflections • It is a relief to know that plagiarism will not be tolerated at university. • This [session] is a useful wake-up call to all elements of cheating. • There was a lot that I didn’t know was academic misconduct. • No one can plead ignorance, and a level playing field is in place. • Good to know it [academic misconduct] is taken seriously. • [This session] shocked us into reality. • Cheating in university is far more serious [than in high school] and penalties are far more severe. • It’s best to hear it from a student, because we realize what a temptation cheating can be, but that we can overcome it