A university is a community of students interested in the search for an understanding of knowledge. No less important to the true student is a high level of honesty and integrity. Absolute honesty on the part of every college student, therefore, has and always shall be an integral part of the plan of higher education at Tufts University. Examples of academic dishonesty include plagiarism, handing in one paper for two or more courses without the knowledge and consent of the instructors involved, dishonesty on examinations, and the purchase of papers to be submitted in a course.

The academic departments of the university have varying requirements for reporting the use of sources, but certain fundamental principles for the acknowledgment of sources apply to all fields and to all levels of work. The use of source materials of any kind in the preparation of essays or laboratory reports must be fully and properly acknowledged. In a paper or laboratory report, a student is expected to acknowledge any expression or idea which is not his/her own. In submitting the paper the student is stating that the form and content of the essay or report, in whole and in part, represent his/her own work, except where clear and specific reference is made to other sources. Even where there is not conscious intention to deceive, the failure to make appropriate acknowledgment may constitute plagiarism. Any quotation--even of a phrase--must be placed in quotation marks and the precise source stated in a note or in the text; any material that is paraphrased or summarized and any ideas that are borrowed must be specifically acknowledged. A thorough recording or rearrangement of an authors text does not release the student from these responsibilities. All sources that have been consulted in the preparation of the essay or report should be listed in the bibliography.

Allegations are reported to the Office of the Dean of Students. If a student agrees with the charge and/or the nature of the evidence makes it clear that academic dishonesty has taken place, the dean may take appropriate action. A decision made in this way may be appealed to the Committee on Student Life (CSL) according to the policies set forth in the booklet "Tufts University Student Disciplinary System." Working through the Office of the Dean of Students, it may be possible for the faculty member and the accused student(s) to make a resolution through mediation. Note that both parties must be willing to use mediation as an alternative means of dispute resolution for this to work. The mediation process is described in "Tufts University Student Disciplinary System." Disciplinary decisions resulting from hearings may be appealed to the CSL.

Penalties for academic dishonesty include disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion. Instructors commonly assign an F for a course in which ethical practice is violated. For more information, please refer to "Tufts University Student Disciplinary System" and "Honesty Is...," available in the Office of the Dean of Students.