At its core, academic integrity, also referred to as academic honesty, is the idea that all work submitted by students is a product of their own ideas, words, and efforts. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, plagiarism and cheating are contrary to NKU’s values and are prohibited.
Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s thoughts and/or words and allowing other people to believe they are your own. It does not matter whether this is done intentionally or unintentionally. One is plagiarizing if one uses specific words, phrasing, or ideas of others without using quotation marks (if a direct quote) and citations. This can include submitting your own prior works as a new, original work. When paraphrasing an idea or sentence, the original source of that material must be cited.
Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from someone else’s exam, purchasing a paper to be submitted as your own, having others provide answers to your exam, reviewing questions or answers from exams not provided by your instructor, using books and notes during exams (in class or take-home) when expressly forbidden to do so, and engaging in any type of conduct designed to give you an unfair advantage (or designed to put someone else at a disadvantage) in a particular course. These examples of cheating and plagiarism are not meant to be exhaustive. Instead, they are to be used as basic guidelines for appropriate academic behavior. Further, your instructor’s syllabus may have additional information on the topic of academic dishonesty that is relevant to your course or program.
NKU takes academic dishonesty very seriously. A student found responsible for cheating, plagiarizing, or misrepresenting himself/herself or his/her accomplishments may be sanctioned in several ways, including an oral or written reprimand; a grade reduction or an F in the course, examination, or assignment or course; or can be recommended for suspension or expulsion from the University. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. All work submitted by a student must represent that student’s own ideas and effort; when the work does not, the student has engaged in academic dishonesty.
