Academic Integrity at De Anza

Academic integrity falls under Student Conduct Policies and Procedure.

How Are Student Conduct Rules Established?

  • Academic Culture
  • Board Policy
  • Campus Procedures
  • Instructor Guidelines
  • Student Behavior

FHDACCD Board Policies Article 5: Student Rights and Responsibilities, AP 5500PDF Icon

The purpose of this policy statement is to inform students of their rights, policy and responsibilities at Foothill and De Anza College . These policies and procedures are for institutional and student use, but cannot be separated from public laws and regulations; therefore, everything stated herein must be considered within the limits of the law.

Foothill and De Anza College considers the following principles essential to its educational mission and its community life:
  1. Mutual Respect between students, faculty and staff
  2. Pursuit of studies with honesty and integrity
  3. Respect for College and personal property
  4. Compliance with all rules and regulations

What is Academic Integrity? Honor Code Definition:

As a student at Foothill you join a community of scholars who are committed to excellence in the teaching/learning process. We assume that all students will pursue their studies with integrity and honesty; however, all students should know that incidents of academic dishonesty are taken very seriously. When students are caught cheating or plagiarizing, a process is begun which may result in severe consequences. It is vitally important to your academic success that you know what constitutes academic dishonesty. See also, Academic Honor code for Internet Based Courses.

District Policy on Student Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty. Interpretations of academic dishonesty may differ among individuals and groups. However, as a student in the Foothill/De Anza Community College District, it is expected that student should refrain from the behavior outlined. If students are unclear about a specific situation, they should speak to their instructor.

What is Academic Dishonesty

The two most common kinds of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism.

Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means.

  • Copying, in part or in whole, from someone else’s test
  • Submitting work presented previously in another course, if contrary to the rules of either course
  • Altering or interfering with grading
  • Using or consulting, during an examination, any sources, consulting with others, use of electronic equipment including cell phones and PDA’s, or use of materials not authorized by the instructor
  • Committing other acts that defraud or misrepresent.

Plagiarism is representing the work of someone else as your own.

  • Incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another person’s writings, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as one’s own
  • Representing another’s artistic or scholarly works such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings or sculptures as your own
  • Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service, including the internet
  • Undocumented Web source usage.

Other Specific Examples of Academic Dishonesty 

  • Purposely allowing another student to copy from your paper during a test
  • Giving homework, term paper or other academic work to another student to plagiarize
  • Having another person submit any work in your name
  • Lying to an instructor or college official to improve your grade
  • Altering graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading
  • Stealing tests
  • Forging signatures on drop/add cards or other college documents
  • Collaboration without permission of instructor.
  • Gaining unlawful or unauthorized access to college or district computers or servers.

Consequences of Academic Dishonesty at FHDACCD

Academic and/or administrative sanctions may be applied in cases of academic dishonesty.

Academic consequences may include:
  1. Receiving a failing grade on the test, paper or exam
  2. Having course grade lowered
  3. Receiving a grade of F in the course
Administrative consequences may include
  1. Being placed on disciplinary probation
  2. Being placed on disciplinary suspension
  3. Being expelled
  4. Students may also be subject to arrest and or heavy fines if the academic dishonesty offense violates state sor federal law.

Student Records

The Student Development & EOPS Office at De Anza College and Office of Student Affairs at Foothill College maintain a record of students who have engaged in academic dishonesty.

This information is used to identify and discipline students reported for academic dishonesty more than once.

A copy of the Student Conduct, Discipline & Due Process Procedures is printed in the College catalog, on the De Anza and Foothill webpages.

Copies are available in the Student Development & EOPS office located downstairs in the Hinson Campus Center, De Anza College and Student Affairs Office & Activities Office in room 6201, Foothill College.

Resources, Books and Websites

Disruptive Behavior



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