ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
Code of Academic Honesty:
The University’s Mission Statement expresses Gonzaga’s self-understanding in terms of humanist, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions. The Statement also explains Gonzaga’s educational mission in terms of the ideals of creativity, intelligence, self-knowledge, desire for the truth, mature concern for others, and a thirst for justice. The Statement makes these traditions and ideals become concrete and practical by relating them to academic programs whose goals are to teach professional expertise and the mastery of a particular body of knowledge. Honesty is an essential part of these traditions, ideals, and practical goals. Gonzaga’s Mission Statement promises, and therefore must, maintain high standards of academic honesty.
Without honesty the humanistic, Catholic, and Jesuit traditions could not continue; knowledge would neither be taught nor learned. Even the less obviously ethical and educational principles in the Mission Statement require honesty. Creativity without honesty becomes self-indulgence, intelligence without honesty degenerates into mere mental power. Self-knowledge without honesty cannot rise above self-deception, and the desire for truth becomes a craving for the rewards of those who have honestly found the truth. Without honesty, a concern for others may easily serve as a disguise for manipulation. The commitment to justice requires honesty, for to cheat, to fabricate, or to plagiarize is to act unjustly. Professional expertise requires honesty: cheating or plagiarizing denies the essence of what it means to be a professional in any field.
Because honesty is so essential to the traditions, ideals, and goals which define its kind of education, Gonzaga is committed to protecting academic honesty. This commitment entails practical consequences. To be fair to all members of the University, the University must explain clearly what these practical consequences of its commitment to academic honesty are. We do so here:
Gonzaga’s Code of Academic Honesty includes the following:
- Academic Honesty consists of truth-telling and truthful representations in all academic contexts.
- Academic Dishonesty consists of any of the following activities: cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and facilitating academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is an attempt to deceive, to distort someone’s perception of reality in order to gain a record of academic accomplishment greater than deserved. Academic dishonesty is not limited to the conduct illustrated here, because it is not possible to illustrate all the possible ways of being dishonest academically. A student in doubt about whether a particular course of conduct might violate Gonzaga’s standards of academic honesty should talk with the course instructor before engaging in that conduct.
- Penalties for academic dishonesty will be imposed through the Academic Honesty Policy, which all faculty and students are expected to understand and uphold. The complete description of the Academic Honesty Policy can be found online and in the offices of the Academic Vice President or Academic Services. Instructors are strongly encouraged to inform each fo their classes about the Academic Honesty Policy.
ACADEMIC FREEDOM OF STUDENTS
Protection of Freedom of Expression: Students are free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in particular courses of study. They may, however, be required to know thoroughly the particulars set out by the instructor, but are free to reserve personal judgment as to the truth or falsity of what is presented. Knowledge and academic performance should be the norms by which students are graded.
Protection Against Unjust Grading: Students must maintain standards of academic performance set by this institution if they are to receive the certificate of competence implied by course credits and degrees. The instructor is the normal and competent judge of these matters, but the students must be protected from the rare case of unjust grading and evaluation. All allegations of unfair or prejudiced grading may be reviewed by the Dean of the appropriate school and, if necessary, by the Academic Vice President, whose decision is final.