UO consequences for academic dishonesty
UO takes academic honesty very seriously. Punishments for violation of the academic honesty policy range from failing a class to a mark on your academic record to dismissal from the University (see the Student Code of Conduct page for more information).
Beyond legal consequences, students who commit academic misconduct can lose personal credibility in the scholarly conversation. It can be difficult to repair relationships with your peers and instructors when they lose trust in you. There are so many compelling, exciting, and meaningful academic projects that have yet to be imagined. Those opportunities are lost without the trust and collaboration of your community.
Practically, if a student commits academic misconduct to pass a class, they can’t learn the skills and knowledge necessary for their next set of courses. Students can’t advance in their program or career without first gaining and demonstrating foundational skills. Many courses at UO are also sequential: committing academic misconduct in one course’s exam may mean being unable to take and complete the next course. Trying to shortcut the process by committing misconduct only sets you back and leaves you unprepared.
And fallout from academically dishonest practices doesn’t end when you graduate. People who cheat or plagiarize can:
- lose their jobs and/or their vocational licensures (for example, a lawyer or doctor),
- face legal action,
- have graduate school admissions revoked, or
- be publicly called out for unethical behavior.
Any of this can cause long-term stress or guilt.
