Academic Integrity

By enrolling at UC Santa Barbara, you agreed to uphold all of the responsibilities within the UCSB Student Conduct Code. Each of us shares the responsibility of community standards. As an international student, it is important to recognize that failing to uphold the Student Conduct Code can have unintended, additional consequences that may impact your visa status. For example, dismissal or suspension can lead to your inability to maintain your enrollment at UCSB and thus your visa status. OISS asks you to pay close attention to the below information for these reasons. Visit our Student Conduct resource page for more information.

Academic integrity is a concept that means that anything you submit (assignments, projects, essays, etc.) must be your original work. In addition, any information you provide to the university must be true and accurate (documentation of illness, late drop petitions, etc.)

UC Santa Barbara is one of the highest-ranked universities in the nation, with globally-recognized research and achievements. One of the reasons UCSB has such a strong academic reputation is due to the academic integrity upheld by students. Students who engage in academic dishonesty are negatively impacting the credibility of the university, and thus the worthiness of their own diploma. 

We at OISS, in partnership with the Office of Student Conduct, wish for your academic success as an international Gaucho. We recognize that navigating the research university, as well as American concepts of academic, writing and integrity can be tricky. Please know that we are here to serve as your resource; do not hesitate to contact our offices for support.

 

Academic Integrity Guidelines

Any act of academic dishonesty will subject a person to University disciplinary action. Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to the following:

 

Cheating  

  • Copying or attempting to copy from another student, allowing another student to copy, or unauthorized collaboration with another student
  • Using any unauthorized material such as notes, cheat sheets, or electronic devices during an exam
  • Looking at another student’s exam
  • Talking, texting, or communicating during an exam
  • Submitting altered graded assignments or exams for additional credit
  • Bringing pre-written answers to an exam
  • Having another person take an exam for you, or taking an exam for another student
  • Signing an absent student in for attendance, or allowing a fellow student to do the same for you
  • Unexcused exit and re-entry during an exam period

 

Plagiarism

  • Taking credit for any work created by another person including, but not limited to, books, articles, methodology, results, compositions, images, lectures, computer programs, or internet postings  
  • Copying any work belonging to another person without indicating that the information is copied and properly citing the source of the work
  • Creating false citations that do not correspond to the information you have used

Furnishing False Information

  • Providing false information in order to obtain exceptions to course requirements, deadlines, and the postponement of exams
  • Forging signatures or submitting documents containing false information
  • Making false statements regarding attendance at class sessions, requests for late drops, and/or incomplete grades

 

Unauthorized Collaboration

  • Working together on graded coursework without instructor permission
  • Working with another student beyond the limits set by the instructor
  • Providing or obtaining unauthorized assistance on graded coursework

Misuse of Course Materials

  • Sharing course materials without the explicit written permission of the instructor or creator
  • Purchasing or copying assignments or solutions to complete coursework
  • Unauthorized use of another student’s work

Common Misunderstandings

Due to differences in culture and educational background, students will mistakenly violate the UCSB Student Conduct Code. Below you will find a few examples of common misunderstandings that will help you avoid violating the Student Conduct Code.

 

Citation/Plagiarism/Sharing Material

In the U.S. all words taken from another author, as well as every idea taken from another author – even if the words are changed – must be accompanied by a formal citation or acknowledgment of the original author.

Chegg, CourseHero, Wikipedia, etc., are all good examples of websites that must be cited! 

A good rule to remember is if you got the information from anywhere other than your own original thoughts, you must cite it!

Medical Documentation 

All medical documentation submitted to UCSB needs to be obtained from a legitimate source. Only submit documentation that was provided directly to you by your provider. To be safe, use on-campus resources to make sure it will be considered legitimate. 

Disruption/ Faculty & Staff Directives

Disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other University activities are subject to disciplinary action. Students must follow faculty and staff directives. This can include directives on appropriate methods of communication. Make sure to pay attention to your class syllabus, which will sometimes provide special directions and exceptions authorized by the professor. 

Examples of following directives:

  • If a professor asks you to leave the classroom or their office, do so. 
  • The Student Conduct Code prohibits unauthorized collaboration, however, in certain instances your professor will specify when it is allowed.
  • If a staff member or professor asks you to stop emailing them or coming to their office without an appointment, you should respect their boundaries. 
     

Extension of Jurisdiction 
Jurisdiction of campus regulations can be extended off-campus to include: physical abuse, threats of violence, arson-related offenses, or any conduct that threatens the health or safety of any persons (including DUI); sexual harassment; stalking; or hazing. Even if you are off campus, your actions reflect on you as a student at UCSB.

Asking for Help

Most commonly, students report misunderstandings, or feelings of stress or pressure that lead to an academic integrity violation. If that is the case for you, please use the following strategies.

If you need support, reach out, and use resources. Part of your tuition goes to providing support services for students, so use them!  (CAPS, CLAS, OISS) 

Get to know your professors, and ask for help when you need it. Ask for an extension or for a one-on-one meeting to discuss what may be impacting you.

  • If you do not understand, ask questions
  • Do not pay for any service related to school online (essays, medical documents) 
  • Do not copy from friends, or allow them to copy you
  • Do not add material to assignments from the internet without citing
  • Do not add material from course material to the internet

It is better to not turn in an assignment than to provide material that does not belong to you. In addition, be careful with paid or subscription services offered by sites like Chegg or WeChat. If you find yourself paying for educational materials outside of what has been provided or assigned to you by your instructor, you are risking a Conduct Code violation.
 

Resources

OISS

Your advisors are here to help you! Contact oiss@sa.ucsb.edu. 

Campus Learning Assistance Services

  • Instructional Support in economics, engineering, math and the sciences
  • Skills Development
  • English as a Second Language (ESL), Foreign Language
  • Writing Services

CAPS/Student Health/Social Work/Health & Wellness

  • Help To Manage Stress
  • Use Massage Chairs
  • Medical Documentation 
  • Group Support
     

Any Questions? 

The office of Student Conduct is available for consultations! Email studentconduct@sa.ucsb.edu.