Southwestern Community College District recognizes that academic integrity is essential in promoting student success and maintaining rigor in instructional programs.  It is a quintessential part of any substantive educational experience.  Honesty and integrity in one’s academic life is fundamental to quality of character and good citizenship.  Integrity is expected from each individual and as such should be encouraged in every aspect of a student’s experience at Southwestern College.

Southwestern College is a community of scholars and learners committed to the principles of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for the academy.  Students share with faculty and staff the responsibility for promoting a climate of integrity. Faculty strive to help students distinguish between subjective and objective sources of knowledge.  As members of this community, students are expected to adhere to these fundamental values at all times in their academic endeavors.

Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, lying, stealing, submitting others’ work as one’s own, or permitting anyone else to do the same.  The faculty should make their students aware of specific expectations related to academic integrity in every class and should define academic integrity within the context of the course.  The faculty are encouraged to provide pertinent examples of plagiarism, cheating and other violations. These standards apply equally for face-to-face and distance education classes taught in the College District.

It is necessary that all faculty members require their students to conduct themselves with integrity and honor, and, when violations of academic integrity occur, faculty and staff members must address the violations quickly, judiciously, and fairly following established procedures.  They should document all incidents including any informal sanctions with their School Dean. It is the prerogative of the faculty member whether to pursue formal sanctions related to violations of academic integrity.  Violations of academic integrity and formal sanctions shall be addressed through appropriate College District Policy and Procedures 5500 Standards of Student Conduct.