Unauthorized Assistance / Materials
Unauthorized Assistance
Unauthorized assistance is anytime you use materials, information, tools, or study aids that your faculty member has not authorized or provided as a part of the course materials. This can include using notes or a calculator on a test when not permitted to do so, utilizing the internet or other external sources during an online exam, or asking someone else to complete coursework with or for you.
Unauthorized assistance can come from many different sources, including other individuals, online resources, artificial intelligence tools, tutors, websites, coursework repositories, social media platforms, or other external sources.
Online answer-sharing sites, coursework repositories, and question-and-answer platforms may provide unauthorized assistance in the same way that another person might provide unauthorized answers. If your instructor does not permit collaboration or outside assistance on an assignment, quiz, or exam, these expectations generally apply regardless of whether the assistance comes from a person, website, or technology tool.
Artificial Intelligence
Generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others may or may not be permitted in a course. Students are responsible for understanding and following their instructor’s expectations regarding the use of these tools.
Academic misconduct is not defined by the tool used. Rather, the question is often whether unauthorized assistance was used or whether the work submitted honestly represents the student’s own knowledge and understanding.
Depending on course expectations, using AI to generate responses, complete assignments, answer questions, rewrite substantial portions of work, or otherwise replace the demonstration of your own learning may constitute academic misconduct.
If you are unsure whether a particular use of AI is permitted, ask your instructor before using it.
Unauthorized Collaboration or Teamwork
Unauthorized collaboration or teamwork is another area where the Office of Student Conduct receives significant referrals. Faculty assign homework, quizzes, exams, and other coursework to assess each student’s individual knowledge and understanding of the course content. While some instructors permit certain forms of collaboration, students are responsible for understanding and following the expectations outlined in the course syllabus, assignment instructions, and other guidance provided by the instructor. If you are unsure whether collaboration is permitted, it is your responsibility to ask before discussing or sharing information related to the assignment. This includes discussing homework questions, comparing answers, sharing screenshots, reviewing one another’s work, or engaging in conversations through social media platforms, group chats, or other online forums. Regardless of the method used, collaboration that provides an unfair academic advantage or exceeds the level of collaboration permitted by the instructor may constitute academic misconduct.
Examples
Depending on course expectations, the following may constitute academic misconduct:
- Sharing answers or screenshots in a GroupMe, Discord server, text chain, or other group chat.
- Dividing homework problems among several students and combining / sharing the answers.
- Posting quiz or exam questions online and receiving assistance from others.
- Comparing answers before submitting individual work where independent completion is expected.
If you are unsure whether collaboration is permitted, ask your instructor before engaging with others about the assignment.
Knowledge Check 2: Unauthorized Assistance
