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PMA Teaching Assistant Resources Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy
Home  /  Scenarios  /  Academic Integrity Scenarios

Academic Integrity Scenarios

A: When you catch a student cheating on an exam.

  • Document this serious violation of academic integrity.
  • Discuss with the professor.
  • If the student is:
    • an undergraduate student, follow the Honor Code guidelines specified here.
    • a graduate student, follow the Honor Code guidelines specified here.
  • You can help prevent occasions to cheat by spacing students apart during tests and limiting passage in and out of the testing room.
  • Emphasize the importance of learning the material vs. just getting the answers.
  • Make sure that there is a section of the syllabus or intro lecture addressing academic integrity.

B: If student is using material from past years.

  • Document this violation of academic integrity.
  • Discuss with the faculty.
  • If the student is:
    • an undergraduate student, follow the Honor Code guidelines specified here.
    • a graduate student, follow the Honor Code guidelines specified here.
  • See the last 2 points in the last scenario.

C: What happens when student asks for regrade since they didn't attach the last page of an assignment or an exam.

  • If the student is asking for a regrade for an exam, talk to the faculty about the policy for their class.
  • If the student is asking for a regrade for an assignment, ask the faculty what their guidelines for this request typically is.
  • More evidence may be required.

D: A student asks for changing grades via favors or money.

  • Make clear your grading rubrics or standards from the start, and keep the application of these standards fair, transparent, and professional.
  • For egregious cases of misconduct, report the behavior to the faculty.
  • Emphasize to the student that the role of grades is to promote learning and they are compromising their ability to learn by looking for shortcuts.