What is Academic Misconduct?
The University is an academic community. Its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge. Like all other communities, the University can function properly only if its members adhere to clearly established goals and values. Accordingly, the Code is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld.
Academic Misconduct is constituted as:
"fraud, deceit, or misconduct in any academic course, exercise, or research in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage, and/or using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic course, exercise, or research, including qualifying and other graduate Student examinations," Part V Section (a) of the Code.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Using answers shared on GroupMe or Google Docs
- Using ChatGPT when an instructor has expressly forbade it
- Creating/using a fake/forged/expired doctor’s note
- “Study assistance” websites like CourseHero, GitHub, and Chegg
"unauthorized falsification or invention of any data, images, information, or citation in any academic course, exercise, or research, including but not limited to articles, proposals, dissertations, and theses" Part V Section b of the Code.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Creating a false citation or bibliography
- ChatGPT responses aren’t authenticated and can be false or made-up
- Making up an interview with an individual you not actually interview
"knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of this Code," Part V Section (c) of the Code.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Posting previous assignments or exams anywhere for others’ use
- Working with a partner/group when it’s prohibited by instructor
- Sharing answers or papers
"representing the words or ideas of another as one’s own in any academic course, exercise, research, including but not limited to articles, proposals, dissertations, and theses," Part V Section (d) of the Code.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Not citing material or doing so incorrectly
- Paraphrasing without citations
- Not properly attributing ChatGPT (when expressly permitted by instructors)
"the reuse of substantially identical or nearly identical portions of one’s own work in multiple courses without prior permission from the current Instructor or from each of the Instructors if the work is being submitted for multiple courses in the same semester," Section V Part (e) of the Code.
This may include, but is not limited to:
- Copy/pasting parts of a paper written last semester for a class this semester
- Not citing yourself when referencing from a previous work you have written
Sanctions
Students found responsible of any misconduct are subject to Sanctions. Sanctions aim to protect the community, deter future offenses, promote accountability, and enhance ethical development and decision-making.
Expected Sanctions, Part VI of the Code
- Undergraduate Students: The grade of "XF" on the individual's transcript with the notation, "failure due to Academic Misconduct."
- Graduate Students: The permanent grade of "XF" on the individual's transcript with the notation, "failure due to Academic Misconduct," and separation from the University.
The grade of "XF" will be replaced with a grade of "F" following the completion of the sanction duration and the educational sanction. The "F" grade will remain on as the Student's grade for the course or other academic exercise permanently.
For more information on the varying Sanctions, see Part VI of the Code of Academic Integrity.
Academic Misconduct Incident Referrals
All members of the University community—Students, faculty, and staff—share the responsibility and authority to challenge and make known acts of alleged Academic Misconduct.
Students referred for academic misconduct will be asked to meet with a staff member in the Office of Student Conduct to review the allegation and to learn about the process used to resolve it. Students will learn what resources they have to help them through the process and can provide their own information about the issue under review. There are different ways the matter can be resolved and the student will learn about them before working with the staff to make an informed decision on how to proceed.
Self-Referral
Students may refer themselves if they think they committed an act of academic misconduct. Doing so may minimize the impact of the sanction and resolve the matter without a disciplinary record. Self-Referrals may only be used once while enrolled at the University of Maryland.
To Self-Refer, please use the "Refer an Academic Misconduct Incident" button above.
For more information on Self-Referrals, please see Part VII Section A of the Code of Academic Integrity.