Academic Integrity

Over the last several years, academic integrity has been a frequent topic in the popular media. From newspaper articles on cheating scandals to television programs describing a widespread comfort level with high school and college students using other peoples’ ideas as their own, it seems that the old standards of academic integrity are being challenged in today’s Internet age. I can assure you that at Lafayette academic integrity is still considered to be essential to our mission.

As Hannah W. Stewart-Gambino, dean of the College, wrote in her August 2007 letter to Lafayette students, “Our collective commitment to intellectual integrity and honesty binds us together at Lafayette….” While Lafayette expects its community members to act in an ethical and honest fashion in every aspect of college life, nowhere is this more important than in the classroom. Lafayette’s “Principles of Intellectual Honesty,” found in the Student Handbook, begin, “To maintain the scholarly standards of the College, and, equally important, the personal ethical standards of our students, it is essential that written assignments be a student’s own work, just as is expected in examinations and class participation.” If students adhere to these principles, they should never run the risk of violating Lafayette’s academic integrity code.

The College has developed a system that educates students on how to adhere to its academic integrity standards, but, when necessary, does adjudicate charges of academic dishonesty. Beginning with the Dean’s August letter on academic integrity to the student body, this process includes statements on academic integrity in course syllabi. In addition to the College-wide Principles of Academic Integrity, some academic departments have developed discipline-specific statements to supplement the College principles. Many instructors discuss their academic integrity expectations with students early in the semester.

Unfortunately, despite these efforts, some students, often because of poor time management and seeking a short cut, fail to accept their ethical responsibilities. These short cuts may be plagiarism either from a print or web source, inappropriate use of another student’s work, collaboration on assignments beyond the guidelines established by the course instructor, or use of a “crib sheet” during an exam. No matter the reason, rationalization of academic dishonesty will not be accepted at Lafayette.

I urge you to encourage your son or daughter not only to re-read Dean Stewart-Gambino’s letter, but also to give careful thought to its message.

Ronald E. Robbins
Associate Dean of the College
(610) 330-5080
robbinsr@lafayette.edu