Honesty Matters:

Honesty Matters:Strategies for Fostering Academic Integrity

Ms. Deborah C. BellDirector for Academic Honesty

dbell@uga.edu

Mr. Hunt RevellCoordinator for Academic Honesty

huntrev@uga.edu

honesty.uga.edu

University of GeorgiaAthens, Georgia 30602

706-543-4336

Quick Introductions

Your Name

Your Institution – public/private

The role you play in the academic honesty process at your institution

honesty.uga.edu

Quick FactsUGA todayAcademic Honesty, Academic AffairsFacilitated Discussion Model Faculty, Administrators, & Staff VolunteersStudents apply to serve as PanelistsEvery instructor is required to include honesty

expectations on the course syllabus“A Culture of Honesty Earns a Degree of

Respect”

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Possible Dishonesty Reported to the Office of the VP for Instruction

LEVEL 1: Instructor/Student Facilitated Discussion

Allegation Dismissed

Dishonesty & Sanction(s)

Agreement *

Dishonesty – No Sanction

Agreement

No Agreement or Student Rescinds

LEVEL 2: Instructor/StudentContinued Discussion with

Academic Honesty Panel

Allegation Dismissed

Dishonesty Confirmed &

Sanction Assigned

LEVEL 3: Subsequent Violation Acknowledged or Confirmed at

Levels 1 and/or 2. Student Required to Meet with

Multiple Violations Review Board

Appeal to Vice Provost

Allegation Dismissed or

Sanction Modified

Decision Upheld

Appeal to USG Board of Regents

Sanctions:

Level 1 – Determined by instructor & student(* Subject to student’s 5-day right of rescission)

Level 2 – “0” on assignment(s) & at least one of the following:

· “F” in course· Transcript Notation· Suspension· Dismissal· Expulsion

Level 3 – Transcript notation & one of the following:

· Expulsion · Dismissal· Suspension

The University of Georgia’sFacilitated Discussion Model for Resolving Academic Honesty Issues

www.honesty.uga.edu

Our Process

FairEducationalQuickAcademicExclusive method for reporting possible

violationsProtects students’ rights and instructors’ jobs

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Dishonesty on the Rise ?!?!(or are more faculty reporting)

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Fall Semester 2013258 students reported

Unauthorized Assistance

Plagiarism

Lying/Tampering

Other

Facilitated Discussion Survey, Fall 2013

Who: Students and Instructors What: https://ugeorgia.qualtrics.com/SE/?

SID=SV_dbP1m0scfphqv3fWhen: Within One Week, with up to two (2)

remindersHow: Qualtrics! Why: To Create Actionable Data for

Developing Strategies

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By the Numbers

334 surveys sent (226 students, ~97 different instructors from

135 responses= 40% response rate

~95% of instructors and 80% of students agreed the Facilitated Discussion was fair, education, and neutral

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By the Numbers (continued)

26% of reports (58 of 226) were dismissed

43% of instructors had never reported before

37% of students whose reports were dismissed still responded to the survey

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By the Numbers (continued) 72 % of students were in their 1st or 2nd year at UGA 21% were transfer students (20% at UGA) 28% were Greek (26% at UGA) 12% English was not native language (~5-6% at UGA) 4.5% First Generation (???) 94% of students were aware of the academic honesty policy,

yet 33% claimed they were unaware their action was a violation

Another 13% claimed they did not understand citation rules, and 18% “felt forced or pressured into agreeing” to a violation of the honesty policy.

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Excuses - Everyone has one! I waited until the last minute to complete my

assignment(s) I wasn't adequately prepared for my quiz, test, or exam I was afraid of losing financial aid because of poor grades Others are cheating and gaining an unfair advantage I was unaware that my action was a violation of the policy I don't have time for the demands of college-level

academic work I did not understand citation rules and styles

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Excuses (continued) I worked with a friend/classmate on an assignment that

was supposed to be done individually I have performed similar actions in other courses without

it being reported UGA's expectations are unreasonable or unfair I felt forced or pressured into agreeing that I violated the

policy Other (please explain)

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Student Responses to Process

Individual Student Responses“I was treated fairly in the discussion and the

matter was resolved by myself and my professor. This issue will never occur again.”

“I truly forgot to cite part of my answers…I thought judging this absolutely careless mistake a violation was too much…I think the professor should at least discuss with me first.”

“I was in the wrong when I violated UGA’s academic honesty policy. There is no denying that.”

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Individual Student Responses“I was in the wrong when I violated UGA’s

academic honesty policy. There is no denying that.”

“I looked on someone else’s test for one of my answers when I knew they were different tests. I made a bad decision and it will NEVER happen again.”

“I feel the facilitated discussion protects the teacher more than the student.”

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Individual Student Responses

“The facilitator as well as the instructor were both very good at truly listening to the discussion and did not seem to have prior decision about the situation made. It was a very fair way to have all parties heard and understood.”

“The instructor and facilitator were both kind and understanding in our discussion.”

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WHAT!?!?!??!

“I was teamed up against for a facilitated interrogation.”

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What are Students doing?

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What are Students doing?

Presentations: Classes, Student groups, Orientation testing

Promotion: Fun events, Campus presence, Honesty Awareness Week

Partners: Student Judiciary, International Student Life, School/College Ambassadors

PanelsPeople: Creative Consultant Outreach

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Faculty Responses to Process

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Individual Faculty Responses

“Professional but caring – well done.”“I was impressed with how quickly and

professionally the situation was handled.”“I appreciate that the student is given

information about rights and that the facilitator makes certain that the student can express her or his view of the event. Although the power difference still exists, it feels like a more level field for discussion.”

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Individual Faculty Responses

“I think a concise, plain-language version of the policy to accompany the full policy would be great.”

“I appreciate the facilitator making it clear to the student that the professor was not singling out the student, but was required to initiate this process”.

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Individual Faculty Responses“I value this process as a learning experience for the

students, and a way for faculty to safely work through issues of academic honesty.”

“I will include a link to “A Culture of Honesty” in my syllabus in the future, and include a statement on the use of cell phones during class. I will also talk about expectations on the first day of class.”

“The process here makes the experience educational and not as menacing nor stressful for both parties.”

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“Debbie Bell is an institutional treasure. I cannot imagine how she manages such emotionally-charged proceedings on a daily basis. I know that I can always count on her to be a neutral, calming presence who sets both parties at ease even in the most difficult of mediations…she’s nothing short of amazing.”

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Individual Faculty Responses -

What are Faculty doing? Syllabus Statement: “As a University of Georgia student, you

have agreed to abide by the University’s academic honesty policy, “A Culture of Honesty,” and the Student Honor Code. All academic work must meet the standards described in “A Culture of Honesty”. Lack of knowledge of the academic honesty policy is not a reasonable explanation for a violation. Questions related to course assignments and the academic honesty policy should be directed to the instructor”.

Reminders before quizzes, papers, tests, etc. Statements on Online Assignments Plagiarism Tutorials Presentations

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What are WE doing? New student orientation (1st year, transfer, graduate students,

international students) Online module: https://

ovpi.uga.edu/Academic-Honesty-Video/player.html Syllabus Statement Student Academic Honesty Council, Creative Consultants Classroom plaques Academic Honesty Resources Conducting Surveys Seeking partners Managing Webpage

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Academic Honesty Resources

UGA LibrariansCAPS – Counseling and Psychological ServicesHealth PromotionASPIRE ClinicUGA Writing CenterDivision of Academic EnhancementDisability Resource Center

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3-Minute Small Group Discussion

What unique techniques do instructors and administrators at your institution utilize to discourage academic dishonesty – encourage academic honesty?

Please share 2 of these with the group.

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GROUP DISCUSSIONS (share lists and discuss

whether this will work at your school)

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Honesty Matters:Strategies for Fostering Academic Integrity

Debbie Bell & Hunt RevellOffice of the VP for Instruction

University of Georgia114 New College

Athens, GA 30602honesty@uga.edu

Thank You!

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