Be wise: Know the code
The mid-term period is underway at Concordia, and for some students the workload may feel overwhelming. It’s a time when students are likely most tempted to cut corners.
Raja Bhattacharya, a coordinator with the Student Advocate Program, urges students to proceed with vigilance when tackling essays and exams, and to familiarize themselves with the Academic Code of Conduct
The Student Advocate program, offered through Advocacy and Support Services, is a confidential service for students seeking support or information related to the Academic Code of Conduct,
As a coordinator with the program, Bhattacharya’s job is to educate students about the importance of academic integrity, and to assist students facing accusations of academic misconduct.
Through workshops, orientations and in-class presentations, Bhattacharya and the student advocates educate Concordians on the academic rules, as well as the consequences if these are broken.
“There is an academic code, but no one reads it,” says Bhattacharya. “At Concordia, ignorance is not an excuse for breaching the code.”
Two types of offences exist within the Academic Code of Conduct: exam offences and academic offences. Exam offences include carrying a cell phone and tampering with the exam booklet. “Be very careful with your cell phone,” suggests Bhattacharya. “Switch it off and make sure it is properly stored. Just having it on you is a breach of the academic code.”
Watch the GradProSkills video on academic integrity:
Academic offences are mostly related to plagiarism, paraphrasing and electronic referencing. “Proper citation is essential,” adds Bhattacharya. “Always make sure your citation style meets the requirements set by your professor.”
Both academic and exam offences are punishable. For a first offence, the consequences could range from a simple warning to an extra 24 credits added to your degree. For a second offence, the penalty becomes more serious: suspension or, in some cases, expulsion from the university.
Many resources are available to students who wish to learn more about ways to avoid academic misconduct. The Counselling and Development Office offers a series of workshops throughout the term, some of which cover topics related to academic integrity. The Documentation Without Plagiarism workshop teaches students how to quote, paraphrase and avoid plagiarism when writing academic papers.
The Concordia Libraries also offer reference and research assistance. The Ask a Librarian program makes librarians available to answer questions by email, phone, online chat or in person seven days a week.
Related links:
• Academic Code of Conduct
• Student Advocate Program
• Concordia Counselling and Development Office
• Ask a Librarian