Saddleback College students are responsible for upholding the integrity of the instruction and the educational process so that all students have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their academic abilities.

Specific to instruction, academic dishonesty includes the following:

• Falsification/Fabrication

  Falsification/Fabrication involves any conduct in academic work that is intended to deceive, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Falsifying one's identification or falsely using another identification.
  • Logging in or otherwise gaining access to a computer, computer network or protected web site, using the password or identity of another.
  • Citing data or information not actually in the source indicated.
  • Submitting a paper, lab report, or other academic work that contains falsified, invented or fictitious data or evidence.
  • Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for a student.

• Plagiarism

  Plagiarism is the inclusion in total or part of another’s words, ideas, work, material or data as one’s own.  Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

  • Quoting or paraphrasing materials without citing the source in some acceptable manner and submitting those materials as one’s own work.
  • Copying, using or borrowing another’s ideas, assignments, test answers, lab work, research, report, term paper, computer program, file or data, etc. and submitting it as one’s own work or allowing another student to do so.
  • Taking sole credit for ideas and/or written work that resulted from collaboration with others.
  • Sharing computer files and programs or written papers and then submitting individual copies of the results as one's own individual work.
  • Submitting substantially the same material in more than one course without prior authorization from each instructor involved.
  • modifying another's work and representing it as one's own work.

• Cheating

  Cheating is any act or attempted act of fraud, deception or distortion of the truth by which a student misrepresents mastery or understanding of academic information or material.  Cheating includes, but is not limited to:

  • Knowing procuring, providing, or accepting unauthorized examination materials or study aids.
  • Completing, in part or in total, any examination or assignment for another person.
  • Knowingly allowing any examination or assignment to be completed, in part or in total, for himself or herself by another person (e.g. take-home exams or online assignments which have been completed by someone other than the student).
  • Copying from another student's test, paper, lab report or other academic assignment.
  • Copying another student's test answers.
  • Copying or allowing another student to copy, a computer file that contains another student's assignment, homework lab reports, or computer programs and submitting it, in part of in its entirely, as one's own.
  • Using unauthorized sources of information such as crib sheets, answers stored in a calculator, or unauthorized electronic devices.
  • Storing answers in electric devices and allowing other students to use the information without the consent of the instructor.
  • Using texts or other reference materials (including dictionaries) when not authorized to do so.
  • Knowingly gaining access to unauthorized data.
  • Altering grade class assignments or examinations and the resubmitting them for regarding or reconsideration without the knowledge and consent of the instructor.

  Source: Saddleback College Student Handbook 2010 - 2011 pages 40 - 41.
  
  

To prevent acts of academic dishonesty in the learning environment, students are responsible for knowing the following:

• The various forms of academic dishonesty as described above.
• The Saddleback College Student Handbook for 2010 - 2011 on Student's Rights and Responsibilities, including acts of dishonesty, as outlined on pages 40 - 42.
• For each specific course, the instructor's policy and consequences for acts of academic dishonesty as outlined in the course syllabus, on Blackboard, and verbally during the first week of classes.
  

Disciplinary action for acts of academic dishonesty will depend upon the instructor and may range from a verbal warning to giving the student a zero or "F" on that assignment or exam.

In addition, an instructor may remove a student from class for the day of the incident and the next class meeting for acts of dishonesty such as cheating and plagiarism. However, with the removal of a student from class, the instructor shall immediately report the removal to the Vice President of Student Services. The Vice President will take the appropriate actions.

Failing a student from the course
Specific to State regulations and as approved by Saddleback College, faculty members cannot give students an automatic “F” grade for the course for cheating and plagiarism. 

Students have a right to challenge the disciplinary action. The instructor is expected to complete the following Academic Dishonesty Report whenever the disciplinary action can and will adversely affect a student's final grade in the course due to an act of academic dishonesty. The report will be written by the instructor and processed through the Division. The student and the appropriate college personnel will receive a copy of this report.

Academic Dishonesty Report
Academic Dishonesty Report cover Letter

The Student Handbook is designed to provide students with information on college services, important dates, registration procedures, transfer opportunities, and study techniques. To access the Student Handbook for 2010 - 2011, please log onto this site: Student Handbook

To prevent academic dishonesty in the learning environment, faculty members are encouraged to:

• Educate students on the various forms of academic dishonesty specific to the individual course.
• Refer the students to the Saddleback College Student Handbook for 2010 - 2011 on Student's Rights and Responsibilities, including acts of academic dishonesty, as outlined on pages 40 - 42.
• Establish a policy and consequences for acts of academic dishonesty.
• Communicate to the students the policy and consequences for acts of academic dishonesty in the course syllabus, on Blackboard, and verbally during the first week of classes.
• Complete the Academic Dishonesty Report on all students that engage in acts of academic dishonesty, especially when such acts might adversely affect the student's grade. Review the report with the student. (Please note that the student should also be given a copy of this report.)
• Be fair and consistent. Make sure that any alleged act of dishonesty on the part of the student can be substantiated.

To document acts of academic dishonesty that may adversely affect a student's grade, all faculty members are encouraged to complete the following forms:

Academic Dishonesty Report
Academic Dishonesty Report cover Letter