Academic Integrity for Tutors created by Center for Student Ethics & Standards for Academic Support Programs
The University of Vermont
As Tutors who assist others in excelling in a wide variety of course work, we implore you to make yourself aware of academic integrity at UVM. This document goes over a few key points specific to
Tutors and academic honesty.
What is the Code of Academic Integrity?
The Code of Academic Integrity is a UVM document that sets forth the standards of academic integrity that students are expected to adhere to in the University community. It also outlines students’ rights, procedures, and possible outcomes of alleged violations of the Code. The full Code can be accessed at the following link: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmppg/ppg/student/acadintegrity.pdf
Academic Integrity Issues for Tutors to be Aware of:
Is that assignment being turned in for a grade?
Many Tutors are asked to help students with homework problems, read through papers, and a variety of others ways in which students seek your help. Did you know that you could be in danger of committing collusion or helping a student cheat , simply by helping them with an assignment that is being turned in for a grade? Many students are not allowed to work with others, in any capacity, on assignments that are to be graded. Thus to protect yourself as a Tutor, you should ask the question, “Is this assignment being turned in for a grade?” If the answer is no , proceed as you would. If the answer is yes , talk further with the student about the parameters of assistance that the instructor allows.
My exam is soon. What concepts should I be paying attention to?
It is typical for Tutors to have taken many of the courses of a certain discipline, and having excelled in those courses, you are assisting your peers who may be struggling. But, what happens when a tutee says,
“You have taken Dr. X before. What is usually on her tests?” Once again, providing specific information about an exam, without the instructor’s permission, is a violation of the Code. There is a fine line between sharing your experiences and providing students with an unfair advantage during exam preparation.
Suggest that your tutee ask the professor or course TA’s about the content of the exam (e.g. key concepts, formulas, structure of exam), and then assist your tutee based on the exam information provided by the instructor and/or TA.
How do you prevent your tutorial session from turning into a “doing the work for them” session?
You are employed as a Tutor because you enjoy assisting others, specifically in the area of your discipline. In an effort to prevent your tutorial session from turning into a “doing the work for them” session, remember to ask the student to demonstrate to you what they are learning. Part of your role as a
Tutor is to create independent learners, and to do this you have to monitor how far you go in assisting your tutee.
General Thoughts about Academic Integrity
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Tutor students to understand concepts, use example problems, not actual homework problems.
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Always ask your tutee, :Is this assignment being turned in for a grade?”
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Unless you have permission to do so from the course instructor, never share your old exams with tutees. This could be a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity
 Encourage tutee’s to meet with instructors or TA’s for more detailed exam questions (e.g. content, exam, structure, key concepts).
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Trust your instinct; Do not let peer-pressure place you in an academically compromising situation.
For further information about the Code of Academic Integrity do not hesitate to contact the Center for
Student Ethics & Standards at cses@uvm.edu
or (802) 656-4360. You can also contact Dave DiElsi
( ddielsi@uvm.edu
, (802) 656-7964), Subject-Area Tutor Coordinator in The Learning Co-op.