Standards for academic integrity discussed at forums

Students, faculty and staff members talked about the need to put academic integrity "front and center" at Grand Valley during two campus forums. About 60 people attended the meetings, held March 19 and 20 at the Allendale and Pew Grand Rapids campuses.

"We want to raise the level of academic integrity at Grand Valley," said Patrick Haggerty, a graduate students who gave a presentation at the DeVos Center forum. "A student's integrity reflects on the university and vice-versa. Higher standards will help all of us when it comes to getting a job."

Results of a survey about the prevalence of cheating and plagiarism at Grand Valley were discussed. The survey, conducted by Marie McKendall, professor of management, in the Seidman College of Business, showed that 86 percent of Grand Valley students surveyed report cheating at some time during their college careers.

"The importance of academic integrity needs to be a point of emphasis in everything we do at Grand Valley," said Dan Vaughn, associate professor of physical therapy and Academic Integrity committee member. "I would like to see it become a part of our faculty and student orientations and discussed as an integral part of individual courses."

Vaughn said students and faculty members discussed the possible development of an honor code on campus or the establishment of a Center for Academic Integrity to offer education and support. A number of potential obstacles were cited, including how to be consistent in reporting and managing academic dishonesty and definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty and plagiarism.

More details from the forums, along with information about the committee and Academic Integrity surveys can be found at www.gvsu.edu/academicintegrity.

The Academic Integrity committee listens to Jodi Tyron, from University Libraries, speak during a meeting in the Kirkhof Center on March 20 / Photo by Amanda Pitts