Contact: Maridith Geuder
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A university honor code recently adopted by Mississippi State is designed to institutionalize a campus culture of integrity and personal responsibility, according to President Robert H. "Doc" Foglesong.
"This is a big step forward in emphasizing the value Mississippi State places on academic and individual honesty," he said, adding that the new policy has been under development for the past two years.
Under the leadership of Bill Kibler, vice president for student affairs, a campus-wide committee of faculty, students and staff developed a detailed structure defining academic misconduct. Sanctions for dishonesty and an academic integrity intervention program also were established by the group.
"It is a comprehensive approach that has been endorsed by the MSU Faculty Senate, Student Association and administrative leadership," Kibler said. "This was a team effort, and the results are very consistent with our university's emphasis on leadership and character."
Formally approved recently by Foglesong, the code reads: "As a Mississippi State University student I will conduct myself with honor and integrity at all times. I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor will I accept the actions of those who do."
Kibler said faculty members will be asked to include the code with every class syllabus.
He added: "We also will post Honor Council rules and procedures on the council's MSU Web site. In addition, we will ask student and faculty members to serve on the Honor Council, which will provide training and programs on academic integrity."
Student Association President JR Love said the Honor Code "is a great illustration of what our university is known for among our students. We have a student body full of character, integrity, and, most importantly, honor."
Foreign languages professor Robert E. Wolverton Sr., president of the Robert Holland Faculty Senate, observed that a central feature of the code is that "it is a uniform system that treats everyone fairly."
"Overall, it will heighten awareness among faculty and students of the importance of academic honesty," Wolverton said. "We are looking forward to helping implement the policies so that they become a good working document."
Under terms of the new code, acts of academic misconduct are defined as:
--Use of any unauthorized materials, including notes, study aids or information from unapproved collaboration;
--Falsification of research materials or data;
--Multiple submissions of the same work, or representing group work as one's own;
--Plagiarism, including using another's work, as well as failure to appropriately credit sources;
--Complicity in knowingly helping someone else commit academic dishonesty; and
--Violations of departmental or college rules regarding academic misconduct.
Cases of academic misconduct may be referred to the Honor Council or, in some cases, handled by the individual faculty member. Sanctions for incidents deemed academic misconduct may range from a grade of "XF," which signifies failure because of dishonesty, or, in some cases, probation or removal from the university.
An XF grade may be replaced by an F if a student successfully completes an academic integrity intervention program.
"This policy has been well reasoned and has received feedback from faculty and students," Kibler said. "It reaffirms our university's commitment to the highest standards of academic conduct."
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, telephone Dr. Kibler at 662-325-3045.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.