Academic Integrity

The reputation of a University of Michigan degree is built on the idea that it means something: that the person who earned it actually learned what it says they learned. Academic integrity is what makes that true.

We also know that students sometimes face real pressure, and that the temptation to cut corners can feel strongest exactly when stakes feel highest. These aren't reasons to compromise your integrity; they're reasons to understand why it matters.

P - Proficiency

Your degree is a signal to others that you have real skills. Doing your own work, even when it's hard, is how you actually build those skills. Shortcuts might reduce short-term stress or even get you the grade. But they also mean you're missing the preparation and true learning the U-M degree represents.

R - Respect

Academic misconduct affects more people than just you. Your instructors have invested significant time designing learning experiences for your benefit. Your classmates who did the work honestly deserve a fair playing field. And academic integrity policies exist to protect all of you.

I - Investment

You're spending significant time and money on your education. Engaging honestly with the work is how you get the full return on that investment. Dishonesty doesn't just risk disciplinary consequences; it means you're paying for an experience you're not actually having.

M - Maturity

Part of becoming an adult is making principled choices when easier options are available. Choosing integrity, especially when you're under pressure, reflects genuine ethical judgment, not just rule-following. That kind of judgment is something you'll draw on long after you leave Michigan.

E - Engagement

Learning requires genuine effort and honest struggle. When you work through something difficult on your own, you're building the kind of understanding that actually sticks. Academic dishonesty short-circuits that process, and the person most affected by that loss is you.

Students who commit academic misconduct most often do so because of difficulty with time management, anxiety about grades or their own abilities, a desire to help friends, or personal and health challenges. These are pressures almost every student faces at some point. The goal of this section is to help you plan ahead so that when those pressures show up, you have better options than compromising your integrity.

When in doubt, ask.  It's your responsibility as a student to know the rules. And the Office of Student Academic Affairs does not accept "I didn't know" as a defense. So always ask your instructor or GSI to clarify their expectations if you aren't sure. For example:

• Can you collaborate? How much? On which assignments?
• How many sources should you have? What types of sources are acceptable? 

Do your work yourself: The purpose of college is to learn the material, and if you are copying someone else’s work or using genAI, you aren’t learning. While it may seem minor in the moment, misconduct could impact your ability to be successful come exam time or in a future course. If you're found responsible, there could be serious consequences. Instructors are also more familiar with detection tools than students often assume, including tools for identifying AI-generated text, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration.

Improve your understanding of academic misconduct: Consider the following cases adjudicated by the Office of Student Academic Affairs and what students could have done differently: 

Cheating
Unauthorized/Inappropriate Collaboration
Submitting Identical Work
Plagiarism
Falsifying and Misrepresenting Academic Materials or Documents
Contract Cheating
Aiding in Academic Dishonesty.

In addition, take some time to review our Student Rights document.

Be honest with your instructors: If you are struggling with time management, have a personal issue, or are having trouble understanding the material, please talk to your instructor and be honest. Instructors and GSIs can be quite understanding when students are experiencing difficulties. Talking with them may lead to suggestions on how to help. Lying or ignoring your struggles may mean you won’t get help.

Seek out support: As a community, we’re here to support one another. If you are dealing with personal issues, health concerns, or struggling to find a network of support consider the following Resources for Students.

Cite your sources: Give proper attribution to any source that you use. Whenever you get ideas or words from any source when writing a paper, cite that source. If you’re uncertain, cite.

Paraphrase appropriately: Remember that paraphrasing means more than simply changing a word here or there. If the ideas you are discussing were not something you had knowledge of before completing the assignment or aren’t your own, you’ll need to cite the source. If you are struggling with paraphrasing, reach out to your instructor or the Sweetland Center for Writing to ask for assistance.

Don’t falsify a record: Altering or forging emails, transcripts, or other documents is a serious offense and can be easily uncovered. They also typically carry significant sanctions from the college beginning with suspension.

Speak out: If you witness any violation of academic integrity, let your instructor or GSI know. Having these types of conversations gives everyone an opportunity to learn and grow from the experience. It’s also the best way to reduce the cultural perception that “everyone is cheating” and ensure that we continue to uphold the community standards.

Interested in helping our community uphold academic integrity in a more active and engaged way? Consider the following groups and organizations:

• The LSA Student Honor Council is a council of students that promotes and encourages the practice of academic integrity. They partner with other students, faculty, and staff to facilitate understanding of the College’s academic integrity standards. Honor Council hosts events throughout the year to promote dialogue about integrity, works with departments and faculty to prevent academic misconduct, and collaborates with other College offices to support a culture of integrity.
• The Academic Judiciary Committee (AJC) is a committee composed of both undergraduate students and faculty members from the College of LSA. Together they work with the Office of Student Academic Affairs (SAA) to promote academic integrity across campus and address potential areas of concern. In addition, they serve as panel members when a student submits a written appeal, reviewing the case and determining whether to sustain or reverse a finding of academic misconduct. For more information, please contact lsajudicial@umich.edu.
• The International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI) is an international organization advancing academic integrity to promote ethical institutions and societies all over the world. They offer assessment services, resources, and consultations to member institutions and facilitate conversations on academic integrity topics. They encourage, support, and share research that predicts, describes, and responds to trends and issues relating to academic integrity standards and practices.