4 ways to avoid cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty

Rushing to finish assignments or study for tests can sometimes lead to academic dishonesty—where students engage in plagiarism, cheating or helping another student gain an unfair advantage. Whatever the intention, these actions violate the Honor Code and have consequences.  

Here are four strategies to help avoid these issues. 

Faculty include expectations for their course that you must follow in their syllabus. This information will likely be different for each class.   

Check each of your class syllabi for specific course expectations. For example, some professors don't allow collaboration or use of AI for assignments. Ask your instructor for clarification if you have any questions about the expectations stated in the syllabus. 

There are also campus-wide Honor Code expectations that apply to every class. For instance, resubmitting your own work without faculty permission is a violation of the Honor Code. You also cannot self-plagiarize your work⁠—meaning you must cite any previously written work you use while completing a new assignment. You cannot reuse your own work without that citation. Review the Student Honor Code & Procedures and ask your instructor questions.   

Academic dishonesty is any act in which a student gains or attempts to gain an unfair academic advantage over other students regardless of intention. Helping another student gain an unfair academic advantage is also considered academic dishonesty.  

With every test, paper, project, lab and assignment, be sure to complete your own work unless the written directions specifically allow you to work with others.    

• You may be able to talk through your work with another student or a study group but don’t share your work. Once you send it to another person, you don’t have control over how it’s shared or used.   
• Don’t search for answers on the internet unless expressly permitted. Especially with online learning, be careful to use resources authorized by your instructors for help. If specific online resources are allowed, write your researched answers in your own words instead of copying and pasting what you found online. 
• Don’t use AI to write papers or answer questions on assignments unless you have permission from your professor. Talk with your professor if you have questions about if and how you can use AI. Learn more about AI and the Honor Code. 
• Nearly any assignment you submit online could be analyzed for similarity to other sources, so cite your sources when appropriate. 
• Exams, including online and take-home exams, should be completed independently unless your instructor states otherwise in the syllabus or exam instructions. 

Whether you’re looking for help citing sources or struggling with a concept discussed in class, asking for help is okay. Attend your instructor’s office hours listed on their syllabus, or use academic and tutoring resources.  

Learn more about the Honor Code.