Academic Integrity
Hesston College students are expected to adhere to the ideal of academic integrity in all academic work. Academic honesty, respect for the work of others and respect for the learning environment are considered unbreakable standards in this college setting.
Lack of academic integrity includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, misuse of computers, misuse of library privileges and inappropriate conduct within the learning environment.
Plagiarism is giving the impression that another’s work is one’s own; this can be intentional or through poorly documented sources. These sources may include others’
- words (through direct quotes)
- paraphrased or summarized ideas and research (including statistics, opinions and theories)
- pictures or graphs
- music
- electronic content (websites, graphics, designs, computer code, AI-generated material).
o avoid plagiarism, students at Hesston College must document and/or acknowledge sources and others’ work completely and accurately in a way that complies with the expectations of the course and the field of study. The Hesston College faculty is required to reinforce these expectations by modeling appropriate use of resources in their own work and holding students accountable for any violations.
This requirement to document and/or acknowledge extends to student work that includes
- papers and essay tests
- speeches and other formal oral communications
- presentations (including multimedia and visual presentations)
- websites and online content.
Examples of common documentation errors, well-documented sources and widely used documentation formats may be found at the Mary Miller Library pages on the Hesston College website.
All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported on the Lark by Lark alert system. Students who fail to maintain the standard of academic integrity are subject to disciplinary action that may include loss of credit in the course involved or dismissal from the college. This disciplinary action is determined by the professors involved and, when necessary, the academic dean.
Behavior/Civility in the Academic Environment
Hesston College is committed to providing an educational environment that is respectful of all and free from harassment and hostility, where all members of the community may enjoy academic freedom in their quests for knowledge. While Hesston College encourages expression of ideas and convictions, these must be shared in a manner that is in accordance with the values of the college; in other words, civil conduct is expected in all academic settings.
Faculty are encouraged to attempt to resolve behavioral issues by addressing them promptly. This may involve asking the student to cease the offensive behavior, leave the academic setting, or a meeting with the student after class to discuss the issue. Should the issue remain unresolved, or if any individual believes that they were treated in an uncivil manner in any academic setting, the incident should be reported to the academic dean for further inquiry.
Individuals who fail repeatedly to uphold the standards of respect in the academic environment are subject to disciplinary action, which may include removal from the class or dismissal from the college. Disciplinary actions will be determined by the professor of the class and the academic dean. For further information, see the Student Handbook.
Catalog 2024-25