University of West Georgia
HONOR CODE
Introduction
An honor code is essential to the University of
West Georgia as an agreement between students
and the University to promote commitment to
academic integrity. Academic and personal
integrity is based upon values such as honesty,
trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. In an
environment that recognizes and honors these
values, standards of academic excellence must be
maintained. An atmosphere of academic integrity
enhances ethical and moral development among
college students. It is the responsibility of the
community of West Georgia, including all students,
faculty and staff, to uphold the inherent values of
the Honor Code.
Each student is given a copy of the Honor Code
upon enrollment in the University. By signing the
pledge, a student is making a commitment to honor
the principles of academic and personal integrity,
refuse to condone violation of the honor code by
other students, and support imposition of penalties
against those who commit violations.
The Honor Code
At the University of West Georgia we believe that
academic and personal integrity are based upon
honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility.
Students at West Georgia assume responsibility for
upholding the honor code. West Georgia students
pledge to refrain from engaging in acts that do not
maintain academic and personal integrity. These
include, but are not limited to, plagiarism*,
cheating*, fabrication*, aid of academic dishonesty,
lying, bribery or threats, and stealing.
Definitions
Cheating: “using or attempting to use unauthorized
materials, information or study aids”
Fabrication: “falsification or unauthorized
invention of any information or citation”
Plagiarism: “representing the words or ideas of
another as one’s own. Direct quotations must be
indicated and ideas of another must be
appropriately acknowledged”
Further details regarding Student Conduct ca n be
found in Appendix A of the UWG Conn ection and
Student Handbook.
Penalties for Breach of Academic Integrity
Each incidence of academic dishonesty is subject to
review and consideration by the instructor, and is
subject to a range of penalties including but not
limited to failing the assignment, failing the course,
and referral to Office of the Vice President for
Academic Affairs.
Responsibility for Reporting Violations of
Academic Integrity
Students
Students who are concerned that they may have
violated the honor code are expected to report their
behavior to the instructor or academic advisor. Self-
reporting does not signify admission of guilt, but
does provide the opportunity for dialogue to clear
up misunderstandings and miscommunication. A
student who observes potential violation of the
honor code by another student is expected to
confront that student with their behavior and
engage in discussion to determine if an actual
violation has occurred.
If it is determined that a violation has occurred, the
student observed is expected to self-report the
incident to the instructor or academic adviser. T he
instructor or academic adviser will review the
situation. If it is then determined by the instructor
or adviser that a violation has taken place,
appropriate referral will be made.
Faculty or Adviser
The instructor or adviser should meet with the
student who has self-reported potential violation of
academic integrity. During this meeting, the
instructor/adviser should inform the student of the
penalty s/he intends to institute (failing the
individual assignment, failing the class, sending the
case forward for further sanctions from the
University).
After meeting with the student, the instructor
should send a brief report of the case, including the
breach of academic integrity and supporting
documentation to the office of the Vice President
for Academic Affairs (VPAA) requesting that this
case become a permanent part of the student’s
record at West Georgia. THIS REPORT SHOULD
BE FORWARDED EVEN IF THE INSTRUCTOR
DOES NOT WANT THE UNIVERSITY TO
SANCTION THE STUDENT. It is important to
create a record of students’ infringement of
academic integrity to create a mechanism for
identifying patterns of dishonesty. This will enable
the University to take appropriate actions to
suspend or expel the students with repeated
incidents.
