Academic Integrity Office Tips for the Faculty: Course Culture

Have you thought about what type of academic integrity culture exists in your course? Allotting time to share expectations, educate and inspire students to complete their studies with integrity is very important. It is no longer enough to just have an academic integrity statement in your syllabus.

Internal reflection on the culture you want to foster in your class, followed by proactive and consistent communication can go a long way toward inspiring students to make good decisions. The development of a positive class culture is highly individualistic but here are a few tips for consideration:

• Openly discuss academic integrity expectations early in the semester and then regularly throughout the semester.
• Consider a tone that connects academic integrity with the students’ need to acquire the content knowledge and everyone’s right to a fair and accurate grade.
• Sanctions are important but be careful not to develop a threatening tone and an instructor versus the students mentality.
• Help students understand that academic integrity is the framework on which their future professional ethic is built.  
• Encourage consistent work and use of ASU resources but also proactively discuss scenarios in which students are better off receiving a poor grade than compromising their integrity and getting into trouble.

For more information check out the Fulton Schools Academic Integrity Office webpage.