Additional Resources for Promoting Integrity Through Teaching
Course-based honor codes
Using honor codes and statements is an engaging way to foster discussions on honesty, integrity, and honor in academic, community, and professional environments. Below are some simple honor codes you may consider adding to your course materials, assignments, or exam instructions. They may require a response from the student, such as a signature or acknowledgment of the statement (e.g., Canvas quiz, Gradescope, multiple-choice question, etc.).
Tip: During in-class exams, it may also be helpful to verbally review the statement and then have students read it on their own and acknowledge it.
- Include wording such as, “Think about the reasons for being at Iowa State University, for enrolling in the course, and for the value of your education. Consider the importance of honestly completing your work to help you achieve your goals for who you want to be after you graduate.”
Then, add one of the following example honor code statements:
- Exams: “I affirm that I will not give or receive any unauthorized help on this exam and that all work will be my own. I recognize that failure to comply with this statement will result in receiving <<INSERT GRADE CONSEQUENCE>> and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
- Graded Assignments: “I affirm that I have not given or received any unauthorized help on this assignment and that this work is my own. I recognize that failure to comply with this statement will result in receiving <<INSERT GRADE CONSEQUENCE>> and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
- Group Projects: “I accept responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the work submitted by the group in which I participated. I recognize that failure to comply with this statement will result in receiving <<INSERT GRADE CONSEQUENCE>> and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
- Graded Assessment: “I affirm that I have followed all rules and guidelines for this <<INSERT GRADED ASSESSMENT>> and have not sought or provided any unfair assistance. I recognize that failure to comply with this statement will result in receiving <<INSERT GRADE CONSEQUENCE>> and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
- Graded Assessment: “I pledge to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity in completing this <<INSERT GRADED ASSESSMENT>>. I have not given, received, or used any unauthorized assistance. I recognize that failure to comply with this statement will result in receiving <<INSERT GRADE CONSEQUENCE>> and a referral to the Office of Student Conduct.”
For all statements, consider including the definition of academic integrity and/or academic misconduct, as defined by Student Conduct, as a reminder about academic integrity.
- Academic integrity means being honest in your academic work, being fair to others, and taking responsibility for your learning. This is demonstrated by doing your work based on your understanding of the course content, without the use of unauthorized assistance from start to finish for all your academic work.
- Iowa State University defines “academic misconduct” as any action or attempted action that may result in creating an unfair academic advantage for oneself or an unfair academic advantage or disadvantage for any other member(s) of the academic community.
