EVALUATING STUDENT LEARNING:
Cheating or Plagiarism
You may have to confront the possibility that a student has plagiarized or cheated on an assignment or examination. The University has carefully specified policies and procedures for addressing academic misconduct, and it is important for you to know what they are if you find yourself facing these problems.
The first step is to try to prevent these problems from occurring in the first place. Careful explanation of the definition and consequences of plagiarism, coupled with strategies for helping students get through the stages of writing a paper, will pay off later in better work from your students and an atmosphere of trust and consistency. Similarly, taking steps at an exam to ensure the secrecy of the exam and honesty during the exam, as well as reducing the temptation to cheat, will result in fewer student problems later on.
In cases of cheating or plagiarism, the TA does not have authority to take formal disciplinary action (See The University of Washington Student Conduct Code, http://washington.edu/students/handbook/conduct.html). The TA does have the responsibility, however, to solve these sorts of problems at the lowest possible level. Begin by discussing the situation with the student and gathering more information to find out what really happened. Students are to be treated as innocent unless proven guilty. Because suspicions alone do not provide sufficient evidence to support an accusation of academic misconduct, gather as much documentation as possible.
Consult with your supervising professor, the TA coordinator, or department chair. If formal procedures are required according to the Code, they will help you carry out what is necessary from the departmental point of view. An Incomplete should be given while the matter is being investigated.
For more information on preventing or responding to academic misconduct, see these UW resources:
- Grading and Student Academic Conduct,
from the Faculty Resources on Grading (FROG):
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/conduct.htm - Guidelines for Preventing Academic Misconduct:
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/gprevent.htm - College of Arts and Sciences Definition
of Academic Misconduct and Explanation of Procedures:
http://depts.washington.edu/grading/issue1/honesty.htm - College of Engineering Policy on Academic Misconduct:
http://www.engr.washington.edu/org/processes/miscpolicy.htm - UW Student Conduct Code:
http://www.washington.edu/students/handbook/conduct.html