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Student Academic Integrity Resources: Home

What is Academic Integrity? Why is it important?

Have a Question on Academic Integrity?

We are here to help! Student Services has a number of academic skill resources and assistance for you. Contact Marcia Steeves, Academic Integrity and Copyright Officer, for more information.

Academic Integrity Defined

Academic Integrity refers to "honouring an ethical and moral code regarding the honest creation of your own work and giving appropriate credit to any contributions from others within your work". Having academic integrity mean acting fairly and honestly while working on your assignments , projects, tests and exams.

As a student at Fleming College you "have the responsibility to be honest with respect to academic matters and to be honest when dealing with members of the College community." An academic integrity violation may occur intentionally or unintentionally, so it is important for you to understand the types of violations that exist. As a student it is your responsibility to be aware of these and that you avoid activities that may result in a violation.

How do we show Academic Integrity?

There are six key values that are core to Academic Integrity: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage. Adhering to these values helps to develop ethical behaviours that allow you to flourish in your academic programs and in the world beyond Fleming College.

Each fundamental value is described in more detail below.

(noun)

To be free from fraud or deception; legitimate; truthful.

It begins with individual actions like being truthful with classmates and faculty, or citing others' ideas in your work. A foundation of honesty allows the college community to build trust, ensure fairness, gain and give respect and maintain responsibilities.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

(noun)

Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.

Trust is built over time by the observing the behaviours of others and acting in a trustworthy manner one's self. Students build trust with faculty and classmates through the honest work they do in assignments and assessments. Faculty build trust through open and honest expectations and conversations with students throughout the year. As a pillar, trust will allow the Fleming community to flourish bother here and beyond our walls with our external partners and communities.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

(noun)

The quality or state of being fair, especially fair or impartial treatment, lack of favoritism toward one side or another.

Ensuring that students are treated fairly through the application of policies and procedures, and that students are engaged fairly in their academic work allows us to build a cultural of integrity across our campuses. Remaining impartial and open-minded in our work and discussions will assist in building trust among all members of our community.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

(noun)

High or special regard, esteem; the quality or state of being esteemed.

Having respect for yourself and others means not compromising your moral values and appreciating the diversity of other's thoughts and opinions. We provide respect for others by citing their words or ideas when we include them in our own works. Dynamic learning environments include learning from those that we do not always agree with in respectful and meaningful ways.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

(noun)

The quality or state of being responsible; moral, legal, or mental accountability; reliability, trustworthiness. 

Academic integrity is the shared responsibility of the entire Fleming College community. We are each accountable to ourselves and the college community in following our moral and ethical values. Working together we ensure that this shared responsibility is adhered to by students, staff, faculty and administration; role modelling behaviour and calling out behaviour that is counter to our shared vision.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

(noun)

The mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.

It takes courage and conviction to hold to your moral and ethical beliefs in the face of adversity. It takes courage to stand up for what is right, even when no one may be watching. As a fundamental value of academic integrity, courage allows you to put one foot in front of the other every day to reach towards your goals and aspirations no matter what barriers may be in your way. Exemplifying courage means you are a role model for those around you and have the strength of character to succeed now and in the future.

(ICAI, The Fundamental Values of Academic Integrity, 2021)

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