Academic Dishonesty

This is content from the Catalog 2019–2020 back issue. Please visit the current catalog for current information.

Because the University is an academic community with high professional standards, its teaching, research, and service purposes are seriously disrupted and subverted by academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism as defined below. Choosing to join the University community obligates each student to adhere to standards of honesty and integrity. By enrolling in the University, students accept the responsibility to become fully acquainted with the University’s regulations and to comply with the University’s authority. Ignorance of the definitions of cheating and plagiarism does not provide an excuse for engaging in acts on academic dishonesty.

Cheating includes but is not limited to:

1. using any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests, or examinations;
2. using sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems, or carrying out other assignments;
3. acquiring, without permission, tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the UH faculty, staff or student; and
4. engaging in any behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus or class discussion.

Plagiarism includes but is not limited to using, by paraphrase or direct quotation, the published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. It also includes using unacknowledged materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.

In cases of suspected or admitted dishonesty, an instructor shall attempt to discuss the matter with the student. If appropriate, the instructor may bring it to the attention of the departmental chairperson, the student’s advisor, division chairperson, and/or appropriate academic dean. Additionally, an instructor may refer such cases of academic dishonesty to the Dean of Students for action under the Student Conduct Code.

Refer to the Student Conduct Code in this catalog for more information about the UH Hilo Student Conduct Code or visit the Student Conduct Code website.

In cases where the student admits to academic dishonesty, the instructor may, within the context of the course, require the student to re-do the assignment, give the student a failing or reduced grade for the assignment, or give a failing or reduced grade for the course. If the student contests his or her liability, the instructor may not take action against the student but must refer the case to the Dean of Students for hearing and disposition under the Student Conduct Code. The Dean of Students may pursue such matters as disciplinary actions under the Student Conduct Code if, after a preliminary investigation, it is his or her determination that probable cause exists to establish that academic dishonesty took place.