Information on Academic Integrity


"… a liberal education today is a philosophy of education that empowers
individuals, liberates mind from ignorance, and cultivates social
responsibility. We also agreed that a liberal education today offers
students challenging intellectual encounters that have relevance today
and throughout history prepare them for socially-valued work and civic
leadership".
-Kenneth Ozmon


There is nothing easy about being a student. Busy class schedules, overwhelming work loads, balancing academics with extra-curricular activities, exams, and getting good grades are just a few of the daily stresses that university students have to deal with. Not too mention the added pressure made by universities, scholarship funds and employers who recognize and reward students who manage these stresses and excel academically. All of this makes for a university atmosphere that can be very competitive and ultra-demanding on students. Put in a position where personal achievement is determined by how good your GPA is, many students resort to cutting corners, or cheating, just to keep up. This is an unfortunate part of university life that has grown from being a rare act of deviant behavior to a familiar and necessary habit for many university students. Universities across North America have recognized this trend, and are increasingly trying to promote, and help students in making more honest
academic choices.

Academic integrity is best understood as a system of values and as a personal and community commitment. By definition, universities are communities of scholars. In one way or another we have chosen to be part of this community. Academic integrity could be considered the principles by which our community operates and the values that sustain it. To act with integrity is to support these values and to maintain these principles. The ideal of integrity is the very core of how we approach our work at Mount A and ourselves as members of this community.

One might think that "academic integrity" is a fancy way of saying "don't cheat"; in reality it means much more than that. At its most encompassing, academic integrity refers to respect for the scholarly enterprise in which we are all engaged. Certainly, respect of the scholarly enterprise entails a commitment to honesty in and out of the classroom and encouraging honesty among others. But it means other things as well. Respect of the scholarly enterprise means:

• Respect of one's self and one's work. It means committing one's self to a sustained engagement with the material we study and discuss. This commitment can become manifest in different ways: through
research or lab work, creativity, or asking questions to address problems.

• Academic integrity also implies a system of human relations. Respect of the scholarly enterprise means, perhaps first and foremost, respecting others and ourselves. We show such respect by listening to
others questions, contributing to the development of courses, lab projects or our art; engaging material presented in class, and approaching it in a critical but considered fashion.

• Integrity also extends beyond the classroom. At Mount A we are devoted to a liberal education in its fullest sense. The University environment provides a wide range of opportunities in the arts, sciences, athletics, and community involvement. The University hosts exhibitions and concerts, public lectures and seminars, it maintains students clubs, journalism, and athletics. As members of a scholarly community such opportunities are not incidental or extra to what we do at Mount A. They are part of it. And, a part we need to engage to realize the fullest potential of a liberal education.

• Finally, integrity implies a commitment to improvement. As a community we commit ourselves to improving our scholarship or performance, our lab work or our engagement with the wider world. We illustrate our commitment to our ideals and to our integrity by working to be better at what we do.

What does academic integrity mean in practical terms?


Academic integrity is not just a commitment but a practice. It entails our values and our commitments. The practice of integrity is the realization of these commitments. In practical terms, academic integrity is founded on the ideals of honesty and respect. Academic dishonesty -- cheating, in one way or another -- or some act of deception implies a rejection of the principle of integrity. Any form of cheating, then, or deceiving other members of this community is a breach of integrity.


In practical terms, for students, integrity entails attending and participating in class. It means coming to class prepared to engage course material, asking questions if you have problem and seeking extra help as a way to address problems. It involves a mutual and respectful relationship with faculty and other students. It is also about having an interest in Mount A as a scholarly community and the courses you are enrolled in. It means providing constructive criticism and contributing to the development of courses. It
involves a sincere effort on papers and labs and in the studio. And, it means taking advantage of the opportunities (lectures, clubs, performances, etc.) that this community provides.


Academic integrity is also vital for faculty. It practical terms academic integrity involves the commitment of faculty to the same values that animate student life in this community of scholars. It involves a commitment to our scholarship and our community, openness and honesty with students and colleagues. It involves a commitment to ethical research and teaching, encouraging students to adopt the same approach, and respectful engagement with students and colleagues and aiding students and colleagues in the development of their scholarship or art. For faculty, academic integrity is an active commitment to research or performance, to providing a constructive educational experience and contributing to the development of this community.