Academic Misconduct

This may involve questions of academic integrity, which include honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility.

Some examples of academic misconduct include plagiarism, cheating, copying homework, and stealing an exam or course materials. The University of Wisconsin-Madison takes academic misconduct allegations very seriously.

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The student’s role

As a UW-Madison student, it is your responsibility to be informed about what constitutes academic misconduct, how to avoid it, and what happens if you decide to engage in it. Academic misconduct is established by the State of Wisconsin for all UW System schools as detailed in UWS Chapter 14.

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Claiming credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization or citation.
Copying another student’s homework.
Turning in work of another person and not giving them credit.
Having a friend answer your clicker questions when you are absent.
Using translation software is prohibited or limited by the instructor.
Stealing an exam or course materials.
Uses unauthorized materials or fabricated data in any academic exercise, such as using notes for a closed-book online exam.
Copying from another student during an exam.
Working on an assignment with others when you are supposed to do so independently.
Forges or falsifies academic documents or records (having a friend sign you in for attendance when you’re absent).
Intentionally impedes or damages the academic work of others (tampering with another student’s experiment).
Engaging in conduct aimed at making a false representation of a student’s academic performance (altering test answers and submitting the test for regrading).

Assisting other students in any of these acts.

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Academic Misconduct Process at UW-Madison UWS Chapter 14

Academic Misconduct Process in Detail

This represents an overview of the steps involved in the process.

Faculty/TA suspects student of academic misconduct and requests a face-to-face meeting with the student.
Faculty member meets with student to review allegation. The accused student is given an opportunity to respond to the allegation.
A decision is made
- Not Responsible – Faculty member determines that academic misconduct did NOT occur and notifies the student that no violation was found. Case closed.
- Responsible – Faculty member determines that academic misconduct did occur and selects a sanction from Group A or B, and can recommend a Group C sanction. The faculty member sends a written finding to the student and OSCCS.
The accused student has 10 days to request a hearing with a hearing committee or examiner. If not, the outcome remains.
Formal hearing held. Faculty member was called as a witness to present the rationale for their findings. The student presents their case.
Within 14 days of the hearing, the hearing outcome is shared with the student and faculty.

UWS Chapter 14 Sanctions

Group A – Reported to OSCCS for record keeping

Oral Reprimand
Written reprimand
Repeat work

Group B – Reported to OSCCS

Lower grade on work
Failing grade on work
Lower grade in the course
Failing grade in the course
Written reprimand
Removal from the course

Group C – Determined by OSCCS

Disciplinary probation
Suspension
Expulsion

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Reporting academic misconduct

Instructors

The process to report academic misconduct may involve some or all of the following steps:

Talking to the accused student
Documenting the suspected activity
Deciding what sanctions should be involved
Filing a misconduct report

Report academic misconduct

Students who suspect cheating

If you suspect a classmate is cheating or committing another type of academic dishonesty, notify your instructor, professor, or teaching assistant. It is the job of the instructor (not the student) to determine if misconduct occurred. All you need to do is report what you heard or saw.

Talking about suspected misconduct is difficult, especially if it involves someone you know. Your academic advisor can be a great resource to help you if you need to talk to someone about your situation. The Office of Student Assistance and Support also has staff available.

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Why academic integrity matters

Academic Integrity is critical to the mission of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a research institution with high academic standards and rigor. All members of the University community play a role in fostering an environment in which student learning is achieved in a fair, just, and honest way.

Faculty and instructional staff set the tone in their classrooms by communicating clear expectations to their students and educating them on the consequences of engaging in academic misconduct while referring to campus resources.

Students are expected to uphold the core values of academic integrity which include honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. These core values, combined with finding one’s purpose and passion and applying them in and out of classroom learning, produce students who become extraordinary citizens. This unique path of opportunities, created by each student, is commonly known as the Wisconsin Experience and impacts our campus community and beyond in significant and positive ways.

The value of a University of Wisconsin-Madison degree depends on the commitment of our academic community to promote high levels of personal honesty and respect for the intellectual property of others.

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How to avoid academic misconduct

Use the Writing Center for help with citations. They are experts in APA, MLA, and other citation styles.
Avoid copying and pasting directly into your paper from the internet.
Understand the expectations and limitations when working in groups (i.e., Is collaboration allowed on the project? Is collaboration allowed on homework?)
If you aren’t sure, always ask your instructor.

Review the policies, procedures, and resources, both on campus and online, that can help you avoid plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct.

Explore student resources

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