Scholastic Dishonesty

As stated in the Student Code of Conduct, "Every member of the Collin College community is expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted for credit is expected to be the student's own work" (current Collin College Student Handbook).

At Collin College, cheating includes, but is not limited to:

Intentionally or unintentionally using or having access to materials, information, or aids (including Artificial Intelligence (AI) or electronic aids) for any coursework, exam, or exercise, when not allowed by the faculty member;
Dishonest or unfair acts to gain academic advantage or cause academic disadvantage to another student;
Receiving information in an unauthorized manner during a quiz or exam or to complete an assignment:
Failing to observe the expressed instructions or procedures of a faculty member or theTesting Center staff for an assignment, quiz, or exam;
Falsifying academic records or documents; and/or
Attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course through any other dishonest means.

For more information on cheating, see Chapter 7: Scholastic Dishonesty in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook.

Watch this video to learn more about cheating, and then test your knowledge with this quiz.

At Collin College, collusion includes, but is not limited to:

Intentionally or unintentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty; or
Unauthorized collaboration between two (2) or more students to complete coursework beyond the allowances or parameters set by the faculty member.

For more information on collusion, see Chapter 7: Scholastic Dishonesty in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook.

Watch this video to learn more about collusion, and then test your knowledge with this quiz.

At Collin College, plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, intentionally or unintentionally using someone else's language, ideas, or other original material (i.e., information that is not common knowledge) without acknowledging the source.

For more information on plagiarism, see Chapter 7: Scholastic Dishonesty in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook.

Watch this video to learn more about plagiarism, and then test your knowledge with this quiz.

Click here to view the Plagiarism and Citation Guide.

Once the completed Student Incident Report is received, it will be reviewed by a Student Conduct staff member.

If it is an initial or first-time case of scholastic dishonesty, the Student Conduct staff member will investigate and adjudicate the case in accordance with the student disciplinary procedures outlined in the current Student Code of Conduct. For more information, see Chapter 14: Student Disciplinary Procedures for First-Time Cases of Scholastic Dishonesty in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook and the First Offense Scholastic Dishonesty Flowchart.

If it is a subsequent allegation(s) of scholastic dishonesty (whether consecutive or in the same or different course), the Student Conduct staff member will refer the case to the Collin College Honor Council for adjudication of the allegations. For more information, see Chapter 15: Student Disciplinary Procedures for Subsequent Cases of Scholastic Dishonesty in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook and the Honor Council Process Flowchart.

In cases where an incident report has been filed for an alleged violation of scholastic dishonesty, the facult member may either:

Delay posting a grade for the academic work in question until the case is finally adjudicated, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct; or
Enter a temporary placeholder grade of zero (0), along with an explanatory note, on the assignment(s) under review until the case is finally adjudicated, as defined in the Student Code of Conduct.

A final grade for the course will not be entered prior to a final resolution of the case.

If the student is found responsible for committing scholastic dishonesty, the faculty member will determine the appropriate academic penalty based on their syllabus policies and in compliance with law, which may include, but is not limited to, a grade of zero (0) on the assignment or failing the course.

For more information, see Chapter 7: Scholastic Dishonesty and Chapter 17: Disciplinary Penalties in the Student Code of Conduct located in the current Collin College Student Handbook.