Helping to Promote Academic Integrity on the UCI Campus

We are all responsible for upholding integrity as a value. You can do your part to avoid violating the policy by being proactive in your academic career. Taking the below suggestions into consideration will not only help you to avoid the temptation to cheat but will also help you to become a better student overall.

Plan Your Time Appropriately

When students resort to dishonest means, it is often because they are stressed and feeling pressed for time. This is not an excuse for violating UCI's Academic Integrity Policy. Be aware of the deadlines for your assignments and exams, and set benchmarks for yourself so that you stay on top of the assignments. Do not procrastinate! When planning out your study time and your drafts, make sure that you also block off time for your non-academic needs. UCI's Center for Student Wellness & Health Promotion has excellent online resources for managing stress and maintaining balance in your life.

Use Good Study Habits

UCI's LARC office offers free workshops and academic coaching and study tips & tools to enhance your study skills. Using good study habits reduces your overall workload, reduces stress, and helps you to learn more effectively and efficiently.

Learn What Plagiarism Is and How to Correctly Cite

Plagiarism is one of the most common forms of academic misconduct at UCI, and it can easily be avoided. Plagiarism occurs when you submit an assignment, a part of an assignment, or a creative work as your own when it was originally created by someone else or by generative AI. Self-plagiarism occurs when you submit your own work for more than one class without permission from the instructors. UCI's Writing Center can provide support and resources to assist with effective writing and communication.

Please review these additional resources to learn how to correctly paraphrase and cite others' work in your own assignments:

• UCI Library Introductory Guide to Citations
• Online Writing Lab (OWL) @ Purdue
• Indiana University Plagiarism Tutorials

Reach Out for Help

Your instructors and TAs want to see you succeed in your education! If you are uncertain about the requirements for an assignment or for the course as a whole, don't be afraid to attend office hours and/or email your instructor or TAs to ask questions. Never turn to cheating as a last resort; discuss the situation with your instructors and/or TAs, and you may be able to find a solution. 

There are many more campus resources available to support students and their needs.

Get Involved!

Peer Advisors play a key role in the academic integrity and student conduct processes! If you are interested in making a difference in the campus community, passionate about the values of community, integrity, and education, and looking to get great experience in communication and leadership, consider applying to be a Peer Advisor. Click here for more information and to apply!