Academic Integrity

The College trusts students who enroll at Earlham to be honest seekers of truth and knowledge. This trust is extended to all students by other students and by teachers, and is manifested in a variety of forms. Exams are rarely proctored, and only after consultation with the class and the Academic Dean’s Office. Unlike many colleges and universities, Earlham does not ask students to sign an oath affirming that they did not cheat on an assignment, since this would imply that people are either inherently dishonest, or will be honest only when they explicitly swear to it.

Students must be mindful that, although Earlham encourages cooperative and collaborative, rather than competitive, modes of learning, one’s work must still be one’s own, unless explicitly assigned to a group. Giving or receiving aid inappropriately on assignments and tests, or plagiarizing by using another person’s words or ideas without credit, constitutes a serious breach of our trust in one another and in the integrity of the search for truth.

Those who believe they have witnessed violations of academic integrity should feel the obligation to speak about this to the suspected offender. The witness also should feel obligated to report the suspected offender to the instructor if the person fails to offer a satisfactory explanation and refuses to report him or herself.

Procedures and Penalties for Violations

Violations of academic integrity, because they undermine our trust in one another and in the credibility of the academic enterprise, are taken very seriously. Penalties for violations range from failing assignments or tests to suspension or expulsion from the College. Students may not retake courses to replace failing grades resulting from an academic integrity violation. As well, students who are suspended as a result of an academic violation may not transfer academic credits to Earlham during the suspension.

Read the formal policy and procedures for allegations of academic violations in the Student Handbook.