Know The Code
True or False: A cadet found in violation of their second honor offense will immediately be dismissed from the Corps
False, While dismissal is often recommended and common for a second-time offense, we take into account time between offenses, conduct, how egregious the offense was, etc.
You are a cadet leader, a subordinate and close friend tells you they cheated on an assignment. They ask you not to report it because it could affect their standing in the Corps. How should you respond?
Encourage them to self report, be a supporting figure for your friend and subordinate, and help them find resources.
If they do not self report, the responsibility then falls on you to do the right thing.
You and a classmate are working together on a shared google doc on a group project. One week later you find out that the project is supposed to be individual. You and your partner has copied each other's code and shared work. What should you do now?
Stop all work on the shared google document. DO NOT continue or copy more of your friend's code. Communicate this error with your professor/TA and understand where you went wrong. It is best to start over on the assignment rather than utilize unauthorized help and violate the honor code.
All classes have a uniform policy on AI and outside help
False
If the prompt/assignment fits, you may reuse your own homework assignment or paper and submit that for a grade.
FALSE, but....
Unless the professor explicitly authorizes multiple submissions of the same previously submitted assignment through their syllabus or through communication, the act of multiple submissions is not authorized.
(VT HONOR SYSTEM PAGE 7-8
The honor code is:
"A cadet...."
Will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
You're late to formation because you overslept. Your bud suggests saying you were just in a meeting with ROTC Cadre so you won't get in trouble. What do you do?
Take responsibility and give the truthful explanation to your 1up, even if you would get in trouble.
A cadre member asks why you missed an event. You say, “I wasn't feeling well,” because you technically felt tired and didn't want to get out of bed. You didn't actually lie—but you intentionally made them believe you were sick. Is this an honest response?
No. Even technically true statements can be misleading if they're intentionally used to deceive someone
A student changes an exam answer after leaving the testing location using technology. What type of academic misconduct is this?
Cheating
Notifying LTC Mallory that you have been found by your professor for using AI on a final after the fact would be considered a "self-report"
this is a MYTH. It would only be a self-report if you notified responsible parties BEFORE you were "caught". Reporting your violation because you "got caught" does not count as a self report to the Cadet Honor Court
Example: Approaching both the professor and the Corps that you used AI on an assignment before you were caught would count as a self-report.
Example: Confessing that you lied on a written statement would be a self-report.
Two components/forms the court utilizes to protect the accused cadet
Rights of the Accused and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Your roommate has a fake ID and struggles with alcohol use. After they get in trouble, they lie when the RA asks how they obtained the alcohol. You know the truth—what should you do?
Tell the RA the truth. Loyalty to a friend should never require you to lie or cover for them.
Your bud asks you to change their doorcard to sign them back in, but they are truly at a friend's apartment and not planning to return that evening. What do you do?
Politely tell your bud that you wont be helping them lie in this manner, remind them that the action would be an honor violation, tell your 1up.
A student reuses a substantial portion of a previously submitted paper without instructor permission. At Virginia Tech, what is this considered?
Multiple Submissions, or Self-Plagiarism
When a cadet is found in academic violation with the university, their case is automatically shared with the Corps.
This is a MYTH
Toleration in the cadet honor code is...
Permitting, enabling, allowing, or failing to report, a behavior/violation to occur.
A professor does not allow AI usage. Is using AI to find sources for a paper a violation?
Yes
Your close friend tries to get you to lie and help them "boost their score" for their PT test on their score sheet by adding 2 extra points they did not earn. What do you do.
Even though they're you're close friend, you cannot violate your own integrity by "helping them out". Its best to politely decline and mention the instance to someone in the chain of command.
When should a cadet report a violation to the Corps after being notified of a suspected violation by the Office of Undergraduate Academic Integrity?
At the very start, or within 72 hours, of the start of their process with the university honor system
Intoxication excuses a cadet from responsibility for honor violations.
This is a MYTH
The first person you should go to when you have a question about honor or the honor code
Your Company Honor Rep
You know your roommate is unauthorized off campus and will miss formation. They ask you to tell your 1UP that they are SIQ to avoid getting in trouble. What should you do?
Politely tell your roommate that you will not be compromising your own integrity to 'help them out'. If they do not come back for formation, it is best to tell their 1UP the truth.
You are working on a big project for one of your classes, with the assignment being due Sunday at 1800. You get back from an off-campus trip the night before and are exhausted. Your professor has made it clear they do not respond to emails on weekends. When you wake up on Sunday you don't have enough time to complete the assignment and are having trouble completing it, what do you do?
Despite what your professor says, reach out to them or your teaching assistant to leave a "paper trail" that you did try and reach out that you were having difficulties or requesting an extension. While it may seem tempting, do not reach towards unauthorized aid such as AI or copying off a bud. If its authorized, see if you can get guidance from a friend.
At the end of the day, it is best to get a bad grade on an assignment than an F* on your transcript and a failing grade.
The definition of an F*
An F* indicates a failing grade resulting from an Honor Code violation. The transcript notes: “FAILURE DUE TO ACADEMIC HONOR CODE VIOLATION.”
If you accidentally violate the Honor Code, it doesn't count because you didn't intend to break the rules.
Myth. Intent and circumstances may matter on a case by case basis during your sanctions hearing, however intent and lack of knowledge on the code is inexcusable.