Purpose of the Broad College of Business Academic Honor Code
The purpose of the academic honor code is to clearly articulate a set of behaviors and expectations for all Broad College Master’s students with respect to academic work. These behaviors and expectations encompass both individual and group work and provide a basis for promoting independent thinking, learning by individuals and teams, respect for others’ contributions, and conduct consistent with professional norms.
Broad College of Business Academic Honor Code
This policy applies to all students in all classroom settings. It constitutes a standard for academic integrity in all Broad College Masters’ programs and takes precedence over the Spartan Honor Code. These guidelines are in support of, and are consistent with, MSU policies on academic integrity. Guidelines on interpersonal, professional, or other student conduct areas are beyond the scope of this document. These areas are addressed in related policies governed by MSU agencies outside Broad College.
Academic Integrity and Conduct Expectations:
- Individual work on all academic deliverables in a course (i.e., assignments, quizzes, examinations, projects) must be solely the work of the student.
- A student cannot utilize the work of another individual or group as their own without appropriate attribution. Failure to do so would constitute plagiarism.
- External sources and research must be used in ways that are consistent with research ethics and intellectual property rights, including correctly citing works in an appropriate citation style (i.e., APA, MLA).
- Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other forms of neural network-based analysis and information creation used in completion of course-related work may only be used with the express permission of the instructor and, when permitted, must be noted and cited in accordance with the instructions of the course instructor.
- Group work (i.e., written assignments, projects, and presentations), should be the result of meaningful contributions from all team members, grounded in collaboration among students, and consistent with faculty expectations. Inconsistent participation in group work can result in academic penalties that could affect course grades.
- In any group learning environment or discussion session, students are expected to communicate with colleagues promptly and consistently, particularly in remote or geographically separated learning environments.
- Students cannot provide or procure course assignment responses or quiz / examination questions or answers amongst classmates through technology platforms (i.e., Chegg)whether or not there is a commercial interest in such actions. Students should consult faculty as to any course guidelines on sharing information related to each course, including notes, materials, and other artifacts.
- If students are unclear in any aspect of classroom performance related to assignments or other areas, they must seek clarification directly from the faculty member to ensure their behaviors are consistent with defined expectations.
- Students must respect the intellectual property of the course instructor. Students may not record or share recordings / copies of class sessions or course materials with anyone not enrolled in the course or any electronic platform or website.
Reporting Academic Honor Code Violations
- Students must report any observed violations of the Honor Code directly to the faculty member responsible for the course (name of the student, observed behavior, and any artifacts that connect to the event). Reporting will be treated as confidential. Failure to report an honor code violation violates the honor code.
- Upon learning of a potential academic integrity violation, faculty must investigate the incident, grounded in current MSU policy (GSRR, Code of Teaching Responsibility).
- Students and faculty can discuss questions of academic integrity or student classroom conduct with program, department, or dean-level staff, in their investigative process, as appropriate.
Consequences of Academic Honor Code Violations
- Upon a verified breach of academic integrity, MSU faculty must complete an Academic Dishonesty Report (ADR) and notify the student of this action in writing.
- Consistent with MSU policies (GSRR, MSU Code of Teaching Responsibility), in connection with a determined breach of academic integrity, faculty are empowered to administer a grade reduction in the violator’s course, either for an individual assignment, or the overall course grade.
- Additional sanctions, if any, beyond the course itself, are the responsibility of the Associate Dean or designate.
- A student subject to disciplinary action can request resources and information to appeal or grieve any penalty, consistent with MSU policy.
