Academic Integrity for Students

Honesty

Be honest with your professors if you find yourself in a position of having to learn online for the very first time, with no preparation. Also, let them know if you lack adequate technology to engage in online learning. This might include having a stable Internet connection, a web cam, and so on.  Challenges impacting your learning may also include illness, self-isolation, caregiving responsibilities, and/or being in another time zone.

Have conversations about what it means to adapt quickly during these times. Show kindness and compassion to your instructor, and other learners in your courses.

Be honest if you are experiencing stress or anxiety. Our first priority is to ensure the health and safety of everyone on campus. Be honest about what you need right now and ask for help.

Trust

It is important to trust that your professors are doing the best they can; and so are university staff members. We are all here to support your learning. Now is a time to have open and authentic conversations with your professors about trust. Also, trust in your own and others’ ability to adapt to the circumstances that are quickly changing. Focus on how you can best achieve the learning goals established in the course. Trust that just because learning moves online, does not mean that cheating automatically increases.

Responsibility

Ask your instructors what the expectations are for completing assessments. It is OK to ask clarifying questions. How should or shouldn’t you be collaborating with other learners? Understand your responsibilities as a learner. The university’s policy and procedures for academic misconduct still apply at this time. Ensure you familiarize yourselves with these requirements and consider how they apply in online contexts. 

It is a stressful time for all learners.  The best advice we can offer is to FOCUS ON LEARNING. Please don’t cheat, plagiarize or engage in activities that constitute academic misconduct. The same policies and procedures apply in online context, as they do in face-to-face environments.  It is just not worth the risk!

There have been reports of predatory pay-to-pass companies escalating their marketing practices to students during the crisis. Know the risks and protect yourself, your academic work, and your reputation.

Respect

Be patient with others and conduct yourself respectfully even when learning happens in a virtual classroom. If you are taking part in a virtual synchronous (Zoom) session, please ensure you act and behave in ways that would be expected in a face-to-face classroom.

If you are a student who is also a Teaching Assistant, check out the resources from the Graduate Student Association to help you uphold integrity in your role as a TA.

Remember that the University of Calgary is committed to ensuring that students are not academically disadvantaged at this time. Your University of Calgary community is here to support you.