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University 101

ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Academic success can start to feel like a buzzword, but what does it actually mean?

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

A large part of academic success is maintaining academic integrity. Academic integrity means completing assignments without an unfair advantage over other students and ensuring an equitable learning environment.

Academic misconduct is the action of completing coursework with an unfair advantage over other students. Below are examples of academic misconduct – avoid these actions to maintain academic integrity.

Do not:
  • Cheat on assignments.
    • Includes Contract Cheating, which is having someone complete your assignments for you. Contract Cheating is considered Severe Academic Misconduct.
  • Fabricate or falsify sources for assignments.
  • Improperly collaborate on assignments.
    • Using artificial intelligence systems (i.e., ChatGPT) or other software is considered improper collaboration.
  • Make multiple submissions of the same assignment for different courses.
  • Plagiarize or incorrectly use citation styles and formats.
    • Plagiarism happens when you present the work of someone else as your own.
You could have the best intentions and yet find yourself with an Academic Integrity Violation allegation.
What to expect if you face an Academic Integrity Violation*?
*This is a broad overview of the first steps. For more information, be sure to click on the resources below. *
  1. The instructor will communicate their concerns about an Academic Integrity Violation with you, typically through your MyMacEwan email address.
  2. The instructor will attempt to schedule a meeting with you so you can have an opportunity to share your side (you may have the SAMU Student Advocate and Policy Support Specialist attend as a silent support person).
    1. If you do participate in this meeting, your instructor will decide if an Academic Integrity Violation has occurred. If the instructor deems an Academic Integrity Violation has occurred, they will send their findings to MacEwan’s Academic Integrity Office.
    2. If you do not have a meeting with your professor, drop the class, or withdraw from MacEwan University, it does not mean that the Academic Integrity Violation ‘goes away.’ The instructor will submit their findings during the investigation stage, and the process of handling an Academic Integrity Violation continues.
  3. MacEwan’s Academic Integrity Office will notify you via your MyMacEwan email of your instructor’s decision and the penalties given.
    1. The Academic Integrity Office does not make any decisions regarding the outcome/penalties of an Academic Integrity Violation case. The instructor who raised the Academic Integrity Violation concerns decides if there was a violation and what penalty to give.
* This is a broad overview of the first steps. For more information, be sure to click on the resources below.
Academic Integrity Violation/ Academic Misconduct Resources
Please click here if you would like to meet with the SAMU Student Advocacy and Policy Support Specialist to discuss your concerns or receive support for your Academic Issue.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
From academic accommodations to editing services, these supports are here to assist you during your academic career:
  • The Access & Disability Resources (ADR) accommodates students with disabilities to ensure their academic success. ADR also provides referrals to other support services on campus.
  • SAMU Study Buddies provides a supportive academic community by connecting you to other students who are looking for a friend or a group to study with
  • The Writing Centre is a fantastic tool for enhancing your academic writing skills! Located in the MacEwan University Library, this service is free to utilize. It offers appointments and drop-in sessions both in person and online.