1. Be aware of “professorial honesty” = atmosphere of trust

• Equity of interaction

• Impartiality in handling of students
• Respect for all students
• Concern for all students
• Integrity (being consistent and truthful in explaining and administering policies propriety

• Equity of procedure: creation and enforcement of rules for grading, classroom administration

• Appropriate workload for students, their level, goals
• Fair tests (=on material of text/course, appropriate difficulty level; well-designed with clearly phrased questions; using skills worked on in class)
• Providing prompt and constructive feedback
• Being responsive to students (solicit feedback and respond to)

• Equity of outcome: distribution of grades

• Follow institutional practices
• Use accurate assessment instruments
• Make multiple assessments
• Tell students how they will be graded—and follow it
• Base grade on individual performance unless otherwise justified and explained
• Don’t change policies mid-course without clear reasons based on student need

• Equity of perspective

• Decisions should be made on what students need not what professor needs
• Decisions should be communicated in language that students will understand
• Treat students as ends in themselves

2. Write a clear syllabus: items to include

• Definition of plagiarism
• Definition of acceptable and unacceptable collaboration
• Explanation of potential penalties
• Explanation of 0-tolerance policy (if you have one)
• Explanation of detection and response process

• Affirm the importance of academic integrity
• Clarify expectations for originality, collaboration, attribution and
• Do this preferably in writing, in the syllabus
• Treat academic honesty as the student’s responsibility
• Confront dishonesty and apply some consequences

• Show them how to succeed in your course
• Support where necessary

• “Normalize” pressures that students feel
• Discuss ways to “talk oneself down” from an anxious state

Sources: Ann Lathrop and Kathleen Foss, Student Cheating and Plagiarism in the Internet Era.
Bernard Whitley, Jr. and Patricia Keith-Spiegel, Academic Dishonesty.