The Aggie Code of Honor and
the Aggie Honor System
Office
Timothy C. Powers
Director, Aggie Honor System Office
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
An Aggie does not lie, cheat or
steal, or tolerate those who do.
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Academic Misconduct
•
•
•
•
•
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Cheating
Fabrication
Falsification
Multiple Submissions
Plagiarism
Complicity
• Abuse and Misuse of
Access and
Unauthorized Access
• Violation of
Departmental or
College Rules
• Violation of University
Rules on Research
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Plagiarism
The appropriation of another person's ideas,
processes, results, or words without giving
appropriate credit.
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Plagiarism Examples
• Intentionally, knowingly, or carelessly
presenting the work of another as one’s
own (i.e., failing to credit author/sources
used in a work product).
• Failing to credit sources used in a work
product in an attempt to pass off the work
as one’s own.
• Attempting to receive credit for work
performed by another
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Tips to Help Students Avoid
Plagiarism
• Give clear direction and formatting expectations
• Have students turn in drafts or sections of the
paper over several weeks (ideally through
TurnItIn.
• Have students paraphrase and practice
paraphrasing (create assignments or in-class
activities focused on paraphrasing)
• Refer students to the writing center
(http://writingcenter.tamu.edu) for assistance
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Cheating
Intentionally using or attempting to use
unauthorized materials, information, notes,
study aids or other devices or materials in
any academic exercise. Unauthorized
materials may include anything or anyone
that gives a student assistance and has not
been specifically approved in advance by
the instructor.
http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Cheating Examples
• Having others conduct research or
prepare work without advance
authorization from the instructor.
• Acquiring answers for any assigned work
or exam from any unauthorized source.
• Collaborating with other students in the
completion of assigned work, unless
specifically authorized by the instructor
teaching the course.
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Tips to Help Students Avoid
Cheating
• Aggressively check and proctor early
quizzes and exams
• If there is a solution manual for the class,
clarify if it is okay for students to use it
• Create multiple versions of the exercise or
prompt and grade accordingly
• Proctor “make-up” exercises just as
closely as the in-class exercise
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Total Violations
Addressed by
Faculty
Addressed by
Honor Council
Total
2008-2009
211
20
231
2009-2010
534
27
561
2010-2011
221
28
249
2011-2012
389
34
423
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Common Violations
Over the past three years, the most common
types of violations include:
- Plagiarism: 47%
- Cheating: 36%
- Falsifying or fabricating data: 5%
- Complicity: 5%
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Breakdown by College of
Reporting Faculty – 2 years
COALS: 9
Arch: 25
CEHD: 83
Engineering: 180
Bush: 3
Geosciences: 43
Liberal Arts: 104
Business: 45
Science: 160
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Breakdown by College of Accused
Student Major – 2 years
COALS: 71
Arch: 32
CEHD: 71
Engineering: 224
Bush: 3
General Studies: 46
Geosciences: 28
Liberal Arts: 100
Business: 55
Science: 26
Vet Med/Biomedical
Sciences: 17
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Breakdown by College of Accused Student
Major – Violations per 1,000 students
COALS: 9.7
Geosciences: 24.9
Arch: 16.6
Liberal Arts: 13.2
CEHD: 12.5
Business: 10.4
Engineering: 19.8
Science: 7.2
Bush: 8
Vet Med/Biomedical
Sciences: 6.7
General Studies: 12.6
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Sanctions
• A zero on an assignment
• A course grade reduction
• Required to participate in extra requirements for
a course
• Educational Sanctions (academic integrity
seminar, university or community service)
• An "F*" in the course
• Separation from the University
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
How AHSO Can Help
Once a faculty member discovers a violation and chooses to handle it
autonomously, the AHSO can:
-
Meet with the student to explain the violation and sanctions
Process all of the paperwork
Explain to the student their rights, including any appeal information
Work with students and (angry) parents to help them understand why
this process is important
- Monitor the process so that student and faculty rights are protected
- Time commitment from the faculty member can be 5 minutes, if all of
the information is readily available during the report submission process
The Honor Council process can be a little more time consuming, but it
is generally less than two hours of your time
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University
Resources
The Aggie Honor System Office is available
to give guest lectures on academic integrity
and the Aggie Honor System to classes or
organizations
Visit http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu to request a
lecture
AggieHonor@tamu.edu or 979-458-3378
© Timothy C. Powers – Texas A&M University