Message from the Deans

To Students and Faculty:

This year, we are launching a shared initiative between the College and the Graduate School to promote the values that underlie academic integrity. These include honesty and fairness in our scholarship and research, respect for each other, and responsibility for our conduct. Indeed, these are the ethical values that govern us as a community working to advance knowledge and education.

Academic dishonesty has not been a substantial problem in the College or in the Graduate School, but any incidence at all is regrettable. It is no help that in recent years, prominent researchers in several disciplines have been accused of academic dishonesty of one kind or another. In the humanities, we read of scholars cited for plagiarism because their published work has not properly cited and acknowledged the sources of words, ideas, and research appearing in their publications. Scientists with world-class reputations have been accused of falsifying data.

Excellent scholarship must rest on honest originality, and this honesty takes many forms. It means, among other things, truth in presentation, diligence and precision in citing works and ideas we have used, and acknowledging our collaborations with others. In the hope of fostering excellence in scholarship and research, we are undertaking a variety of educational activities designed to foster an environment in which academic integrity imbues all that we do. On this web site you will find information about these activities, as well as resources that may help with any questions you may have about these issues.

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