For Instructors
- Some students will believe, with 100% certainty, that what they did was not cheating even if it meets the definition. The Office for Community Standards recommends talking to the student about the matter, asking questions rather than making accusations. Listen carefully to how students answer the questions and share why you suspect scholastic dishonesty.
- Resource: Draw on principles and “preparing for class” activities noted in the Active Learning Strategies for Leveraging Writing to Boost Reading.
- Duplicate the efforts to ensure students know what is, and isn’t, cheating – some students may never come to believe they cheated, believing themselves to be “good people” who don’t do wrong things.
For Students
- You will be held accountable for university and course expectations. You are free to believe and express your personal opinion that what you did was not cheating, but that belief will not excuse you from the expectations defined by this university and your instructor.
- Honesty goes a long way. It is very likely your course instructor has more than enough evidence to know you cheated. Rather than deflecting, seek to understand what you did was wrong and how to do better.
- Academic sanctions for cheating exist along a spectrum. Honesty is more likely to elicit sympathy than neglecting to take responsibility.