The University of Arkansas takes the issue of academic integrity very seriously. Due
to concerns by both faculty and students, significant changes to the way incidents of
academic integrity are handled by the university were made recently and continue to be refined
as needed. I've asked Provost Sharon Gaber to explain the significance of this issue.
Please take a moment to hear what she has to say about this critical subject.
Imagine getting an appendectomy from a doctor who cheated through anatomy class or flying
on an airplane designed by an engineer who bought a thesis on-line.
Pretty scary, huh?
Those examples are admittedly extreme cases. So let's consider the Razorbacks: what if
they lost a bowl game to a team who stole their playbook? Would that be fair to the
hard-working student-athletes who played by the rules and competed the right way?
Earning a degree is no different. It's a measure of hard work, character and discipline conducted
on a level playing field. Just as you value fair play on the sports field, I hope you
value fair play in the classroom. Academic integrity is critical to earning a degree,
both to the value of that degree and to the reputation of the institution that granted
it. When either is compromised, so is the degree.
At the University of Arkansas, we take academic integrity very seriously.
Recently, we made changes that improved the consistency and timeliness of response regarding
incidents of academic dishonesty. We also created an Academic Integrity Sanction Rubric
that ensures consistency and clarity, with sanctions clearly defined. Additionally, we
now have a systematic process in place to track repeat offenders, and monitor them much
more closely.
Response to these changes has been positive, and even instilled a sense of pride. The Associated
Student Government has been extremely supportive, as have the faculty. In fact, we feel so strongly
about this policy that we think it will play a role in increasing our academic reputation.
To learn more, I strongly encourage you to go to the be site you see on your screen:
(http://provost.uark.edu/)
While I don't expect anyone to memorize the policy, I do expect you to be aware of it.
One of the most important things to know is that intent does not matter. If you are in
any way unclear or unsure of what constituents a violation of the academic integrity policy,
don't hesitate to discuss it with your instructor, who should be able to provide clear guidelines
and expectations for the assignment. What may be permissible in one class may not be
in another, and in those cases the instructor will need to provide guidance.
Above all else, please feel encouraged to ask questions and get answers.
A degree is a commodity with value, and when people take shortcuts, it devalues the hard
work of those who don't. The University of Arkansas is striving to increase the value
and prestige of the degrees it awards.
For the vast majority of you, this will never be an issue during your college careers. The
best way to ensure that it never becomes one, though, is to be familiar with the policy.
Thank you, and have a great semester.