U-M Issues in Academic Integrity

A clear sense of academic honesty and responsibility is expected of all members of the University community. Honoring the precepts of academic integrity and applying its principles are fundamental responsibilities of all students and scholars. Most U-M schools and colleges have written policies that delineate the conduct expected of their students and the consequences of failing to meet the expected standards. The policies are referred to by various names, including honor code, honor system, code of conduct, and grievance procedure.

Plagiarism

All University of Michigan students are personally responsible for educating themselves about plagiarism. Do not “copy and paste” without citing sources because there are academic consequences for knowingly or unknowingly committing plagiarism. For international students there may also be immigration status consequences in addition to the academic ones. The expectations regarding citations, and collaborative work may different than you home country.

What is Plagiarism?

“Plagiarism: taking credit of someone else's work or ideas, stealing others' results or methods, copying the writing of others without proper acknowledgement, or otherwise falsely taking credit for the work or ideas of another.”

The above definition is from the University of Michigan's Standard Practice Guide 101.03. For more information see Standard Practice Guide 303.03 and the U-M College of Literature, Science and the Arts definitions for cheating and plagiarism.

Why Students Need to Know About Plagiarism

Plagiarism is taken very seriously by the University of Michigan and findings of plagiarism can result in a variety of disciplinary and corrective activities including formal reprimands, disciplinary probation, suspension, expulsion, and rescinding a degree.

Potential Effects of Disciplinary Action for International Students

  1. An international student in F-1 or J-1 immigration status who is expelled from the University is no longer eligible to register for full time coursework. The student would be unable to maintain legal immigration status and would consequently need to transfer to another institution or change to another immigration status immediately. If these options are not available, the student would have to leave the United States.
  2. An international student on academic probation for a term needs to carefully monitor his or her academic progress to ensure that he or she will be able to meet the terms of probation. If the student is unable to reach the expected grade point average, he or she may be terminated from his or her academic program. Since the student would no longer be eligible to register for full time coursework at that University, he or she would be unable to maintain legal immigration status. The student would consequently need to transfer to another institution or change to another immigration status in a timely fashion. If these options are not available, the student would need to leave the United States.

What International Students Should Do

  1. International students need to read about and be aware of the academic integrity expectations of their departments. The topic is included in their student handbook. All students are expected to learn and abide by these rules. Review the department's web site or ask the department for information regarding the academic integrity policies. Students must make sure they are aware of the most updated policies on academic integrity.
  2. International students need to learn and be aware of their responsibilities regarding how to maintain their legal immigration status as students. Visit the immigration and visa section of the International Center web site and review the instructions on maintaining legal status for the appropriate visa type.
  3. Talk to academic advisors. Review the information and tutorials. Ask questions of faculty.
  4. If there is potential for an academic disciplinary action for an international student, the student should call the International Center and make an appointment with an international student and scholar advisor as soon as possible to review any potential immigration implications.

Plagiarism Resources

University of Michigan

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Office of Research Integrity

Other Resources