Honor Code

Integrity & Honesty

The first law of academic life is intellectual honesty. It is the responsibility of every member of the USCB community to uphold and maintain the high academic standards of the University. Students of the University are expected to be honest and forthright in their academic endeavors. To falsify the results of one’s research, to steal the words or ideas of another or to cheat on an examination corrupts the essential process by which knowledge is advanced.

All students enrolled at USCB, whether full-time or part-time, shall be subject to the Academic Code of Conduct (The Honor Code). The Chancellor of USCB is the final authority in all matters concerning academic accountability.

The Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is responsible for maintaining and enforcing the Academic Code of Conduct. The Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs is also responsible for executing any sanctions resulting from violations of the Code and for keeping records

Honor Code Responsibilities

The USCB Honor code establishes the general standards of academic accountability for students at USCB. All members of the academic community of the University share the responsibility to advance, support and enforce academic honesty and integrity. The following obligations must be assumed by students and faculty of the University in order to meet this responsibility:

• Prepare thoroughly for examinations and assignments
• Take the initiative to prevent other students from copying exams or assignments
• Discourage dishonesty among other students
• Refuse to assist students who cheat
• Report observed cases of academic dishonesty immediately
• Maintain the confidentiality of examinations by not disclosing any information, whether directly or indirectly, to another student still to write that same examination
• Consult with faculty and other sources to clarify the definition of plagiarism
• Learn to recognize techniques of proper attribution of sources used to prepare written work and identify allowable resource materials or aids to be used during examinations or completion of any graded work
• Conduct all academic work within the letter and spirit of academic honesty, which prohibits giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the academic process
• Discuss the issues of cheating, academic misconduct, fabrication and plagiarism at the beginning of each semester and before major exams or assignments
• Make sure students understand the reference requirements for assigned papers and the extent of collaboration expected or allowed on class or team projects
• Verify faculty signatures on change of grade forms
• Exercise caution in the preparation, duplication and security of examinations to ensure that students cannot gain improper advance knowledge of their contents
• Specify prior to an examination or assignment what materials (books, notes, equipment, etc.) students may have in their possession or to what degree they may collaborate; and
• Prepare new exams each semester or administer alternate forms of the same exams.

Honor Violations

The following acts of academic dishonesty are considered violations of the USCB Honor Code and subject the student to disciplinary action:

Lying

Lying includes the deliberate misrepresentation of any situation or fact, in part or whole, for the purpose of avoiding or postponing the completion of any assignment, duty, test or examination in the course, internship or program.

Examples of lying include but are not limited to:

1. Stating unauthorized material or assistance was not used to produce work when evidence suggests otherwise
2. Stating an assignment or exam was submitted to the instructor when evidence suggests otherwise
3. Omission of facts

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the representation of someone else’s words, ideas or data as one’s own work. All work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others must acknowledge the source of that information through complete, accurate and specific references and, if verbatim statements are included, quotation marks. By placing his or her name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgments. Students will avoid charges of plagiarism by acknowledging indebtedness:

• Whenever they quote another person’s actual words
• Whenever they use another person’s idea, opinion or theory, even if this is completely paraphrased in their own words
• Whenever they borrow facts, statistics or other illustrative materials, unless the information is common knowledge

Exmples of plagarism include but are not limited to: 

1. Submission of another’s work in lieu of their own work
2. Submission of the work, sentences, ideas, conclusion and/or examples from a source (a book, an article, another student’s paper, generative artificial intelligence, etc.) without acknowledging the source
3. Knowingly aiding another student in plagiarizing an assignment or allowing other student[s] to complete all or part of his or her course work and/or exam
4. Committing self-plagiarism, i.e. reusing one’s work for which a grade was received without acknowledging its earlier use

Bribery

Bribery involves the offering, giving, receiving or soliciting of anything of value to obtain a grade or consideration a student would not expect to achieve from his or her own academic performance.

Examples of bribery include but are not limited to:

1. Coercing another student or party to produce work on the student’s behalf
2. Bribing a person to obtain an un-administered test or any information about the test
3. Threatening retaliation of another student or party if the party fails to produce work on the student’s behalf

Cheating

Any conduct during a program, course, quiz, examination or any other assignment which involves the unauthorized giving, receiving, offering or soliciting of information. 

 Examples of cheating include but are not limited to:

1. Submission of another person’s work in lieu of one’s own work
2. Unauthorized use of laboratory reports, term papers, thesis or other written materials, in whole or in part
3. Buying, selling, theft, obtaining, using or giving of any examination or quiz prior to its administration
4. Unauthorized resources or use of any electronic or mechanical device during any assignment or examination
5. Use of prepared materials, notes, or texts other than those specified and permitted by the instructor during an examination or quiz
6. Unauthorized collaboration on any test, assignment or project

Examples of other types of academic misconduct include but are not limited to:

1. Unauthorized or improper use of artificial intelligence to complete a course assignment or exam, in part or in its entirety
2. Stealing, buying or otherwise illicitly obtaining all or part of an administered test
3. Selling or giving away all or part of an un-administered test, including answers to an un-administered test
4. Entering a building, office or computer system for the purpose of changing a grade or work for which a grade is given
5. Changing, altering, falsifying, or being an accessory to the changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a test, a “change of grade” form or other official academic records of the University which relate to grades
6. Entering a building, office or electronic system for the purpose of obtaining an un-administered test
   

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an evolving technology that is being used in a variety of ways in and outside the classroom. As artificial intelligence becomes more accessible, it is important for students to understand appropriate use of this tool to guide our work.  

The goal of higher education is to help students develop critical thinking skills – that is to question, challenge assumptions, and research to make informed decisions and effectively problem-solve. When AI is used inappropriately, students thwart their own development to critically think. A balanced approach allows students to demonstrate competence and ability to critically think while learning to use a tool that can support decision-making.

FAQ about AI

Q: What do you consider AI?

A: AI is the use of technology to learn, reason, and perform tasks that require human intelligence. There are a multitude of software applications designed to do different things. Commonly used AI tools include ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Co-Pilot, Grammarly, etc but there are many more tools out there. 

Q: Is AI always “bad?”

A: No. AI can be a useful tool in the academic setting when used properly and with full understanding of its value as well as its risks. 

Q: When can I use AI in my classes? 

A: Your faculty will inform you of their class policy on AI through the course syllabus, class assignment instructions, class announcements, or other means. Faculty may choose to permit AI on a limited base, allow free use, or prohibit its use. If the faculty does not have an explicit statement about AI use, ask the faculty to clarify expectations. Students have the responsibility to be sure they understand if and how AI may be used for each assignment in every course they are enrolled in. 

Q: How can faculty tell if AI has been used to complete an assignment?

A: AI can make mistakes - especially free versions, that expert faculty can easily identify, or they may observe the writing style is inconsistent with the student’s other work. Faculty also have other ways to detect if AI has potentially been used. These raise red flags that the work is not original to the student. 

Q: What if I used AI to complete a discussion board, paper, or other class assignment/exam, and the faculty did not authorize its use? Could I get in trouble?

A: Unauthorized use of AI violates the USCB Honor Code and constitutes an act of academic misconduct, subject to sanctions. Academic misconduct is reported to the Office of Academic Affairs and if there is evidence to support unauthorized use of AI, the student will be sanctioned. A repeat offense is likely to result in an Honor Court hearing and result in severe penalties, including a permanent “X” on your academic transcript, probation, suspension, or dismissal from the university.