Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College

Academic Integrity Policy & Procedures

Overview

Academic integrity is foundational to learning at NOVA. Students are expected to complete their academic work honestly and ethically, while faculty and staff play an important role in promoting these values and responding to concerns in accordance with NOVA’s Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure.

Academic integrity ensures that grades, degrees, certificates, and other academic achievements accurately represent the knowledge and abilities students develop through their academic work.

Academic Dishonesty Includes, but is Not Limited To:

Academic dishonesty, also referred to as academic misconduct, is the misrepresentation of one’s academic work. Academic dishonesty may include, but is not limited to, the following:

Cheating includes using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or assistance in any academic exercise.

Examples may include:

  • Copying or using notes, examinations, or other instructional material during examinations, tests, or quizzes, or other academic exercises;
  • Using another person to write a paper or any part of a paper without indicating the person’s contribution through proper documentation;
  • Obtaining, using, or possessing unauthorized copies of an examination or any written work to be graded;
  • Submitting another’s person’s assignment as one’s own;
  • Having an examination or other graded assignment completed by someone else.

Facilitating academic dishonesty includes intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another person commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Examples may include:

  • Completing, in whole or part, an examination, or other graded assignment for someone else;
  • Permitting another student to copy one’s work during an examination, test, or quiz, or other graded assignment;
  • Collaborating with another individual or individuals in the completion of course assignments when collaboration is not permitted;
  • Giving test questions or answers to anyone else.

Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of an idea or product derived from an existing source as new and original without properly citing the source of the material.

Examples may include:

  • Duplicating an author’s work, in part or whole, without quotation marks and/or accurate citations;
  • Using an author’s words, phrases, or ideas without appropriate citation;
  • Using an author’s ideas in paraphrase without accurate citation(s);
  • Submitting an essay or written work in which exact words are rearranged without appropriate quotation marks, even when cited.

Other examples may include:

  • Submitting the same work or paper for multiple courses without explicit authorization and approval from the faculty members teaching the course;
  • Fabrication, including the intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information, data, or citation in an academic exercise.

For complete definitions and examples, refer to Academic Integrity Policy 224. The information on this page is presented in a student-friendly format to support understanding of NOVA’s academic integrity policy and expectations.

Academic Integrity Policy 224 establishes NOVA’s expectations regarding academic integrity and defines forms of academic dishonesty (academic misconduct).

The policy helps ensure that academic credit, degrees, certificates, and other credentials awarded by NOVA represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities students develop through their academic work.

For complete definitions, examples, and requirements, refer to the full Academic Integrity Policy 224.

Academic Integrity Policy 224

Procedure 224P outlines the process used when an academic integrity concern is reported, including reporting requirements, roles and responsibilities, student rights, possible sanctions (outcomes), and appeal procedures.

For complete process details, responsibilities, and requirements, refer to Procedure 224P.

Academic Integrity Procedure 224P

If a student is found responsible for an academic misconduct violation, one or more of the following sanctions may be assigned:

  • Grade-based sanction: An adjustment to the student’s grade, ranging from a reduction on an assignment to a failing grade for the course.
  • Educational sanction: The faculty member may require a student to complete an educational module, write a reflection paper, or participate in another educational activity designed to promote learning and accountability. The Office of Academic Integrity maintains an up-to-date list of educational sanctions and related resources to support the academic integrity process.
  • Administrative sanctions: Depending on the severity of the violation or whether it is a repeated offense, the Office of Academic Integrity may refer the case to the appropriate office for additional disciplinary action, as outlined in Procedure 224P.