• Section 1 - Purpose
• Background
• Scope
• Section 2 - Policy
• Part A - Academic Integrity Principles
• Part B - Values of Academic Integrity
• Part C - Academic Integrity Module
• Part D - Shared Responsibility for Academic Integrity
• Part E - Academic Activities
• Part F - Academic Integrity Policy Breaches
• Section 3 - Procedures
• Section 4 - Guidelines
• Section 5 - Definitions
•  
• Acknowledgement

Section 1 - Purpose

(1) This Policy:

1. defines academic integrity;
2. establishes the University’s Academic Integrity Principles and Values of Academic Integrity;
3. reflects that the pursuit of academic integrity is a shared responsibility and articulates collective and individual responsibilities;
4. articulates the University’s definition and position on types of academic activities; and
5. identifies the disciplinary process to be undertaken if there is an allegation of a breach of this Policy.

Background

(2) The University is committed to:

1. transformative education, learning, research, and discovery, all of which advance knowledge and have a positive impact on our community (Adapted from the University’s Academic Integrity Values Statement);
2. creating a work and study environment where all members of the University community can flourish (Diversity and Inclusion - Students); and
3. developing an institution-wide approach to academic integrity (Learning and Teaching Strategic Framework: 2015-2020)

Scope

(3) This Policy applies to all staff and students.

(4) It does not replace the requirements specified in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (Australian Code) or the Macquarie University Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (Macquarie Code). Staff and students engaging in research activities must read and comply with these Codes in conjunction with this Policy.

Section 2 - Policy

(5) All staff and students are required to adhere to the principles and values of Academic Integrity as a shared responsibility across the University. Alleged breaches of this Policy will be dealt with seriously by the University and may result in disciplinary processes.

Part A - Academic Integrity Principles

(6) This Policy is underpinned by three equal principles:

1. Academic integrity is fundamental to transformative education, learning, teaching, research, and discovery at the University, all of which advance knowledge and have a positive impact on our community and the world; 
2. the University is committed to fostering a collective culture of awareness and development that empowers all staff and students to become champions of the academic integrity values; and
3. Academic integrity comprises active engagement with the five interconnected values of honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, and support.

Part B - Values of Academic Integrity

(7) The values of academic integrity provide an overarching declaration that informs the University’s staff and students involved in learning, teaching and research. The following explanations describe what each of the values of academic integrity mean at Macquarie University:

1. Honesty is being truthful, maintaining transparency, encouraging openness, and acknowledging other’s work;
2. Respect is valuing diversity, being inclusive, listening to understand, and treating others fairly in a context of academic freedom as expressed in the University’s Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom Policy;
3. Trust is being reliable, building trustful relationships and demonstrating trustworthiness;
4. Responsibility is being proactive, taking ownership, and holding one self and others accountable; and
5. Support is communicating clear expectations, delivering accessible resources, being approachable, building capacity and resilience and providing training.

Part C - Academic Integrity Module

(8) The University has an Academic Integrity Module. All staff and students are encouraged to complete the module.

Part D - Shared Responsibility for Academic Integrity

(9) The pursuit of academic integrity is a shared responsibility across the University. All members of the University community have a role in maintaining a positive culture that supports the values of academic integrity.

(10) Schedule 1: Shared Responsibility for Academic Integrity articulates the collective and individual responsibilities that underpin a transparent and holistic approach to academic integrity.

Part E - Academic Activities

(11) When engaging with or setting an academic exercise, the pursuit of academic integrity is supported by understanding acceptable and unacceptable academic activities in learning, teaching and research.

(12) Schedule 2: Definitions of Academic Activities provides definitions of acceptable and unacceptable academic activities.

Part F - Academic Integrity Policy Breaches

(13) In an academic exercise, the detection, management and notification of possible breaches of this Policy is fundamentally a judgement made by a member of staff or a student who is familiar with the academic exercise.

(14) The University has existing disciplinary processes for misconduct, academic misconduct, and research misconduct.

(15) The table below identifies the disciplinary processes relevant to the individual and the activity:

Section 3 - Procedures

(16) Nil.

Section 4 - Guidelines

(17) Nil.

Section 5 - Definitions

(18) Commonly defined terms are located in the University Glossary. The following definitions apply for the purpose of this Policy:

1. Academic integrity: acting with the values of honesty, respect, trust, responsibility and support in learning, teaching, and research.
2. Academic exercise: 
   1. An examination, that is, a time limited assessment task conducted under invigilation including tests, practical assessments, and final examinations; and
   2. the submission and assessment of a thesis, dissertation, essay, practical work or other coursework, and any other exercise (including in the case of graduate students transfer and confirmation of status exercises) which is not undertaken in formal examination conditions but counts towards or constitutes the work for a student academic award or for admission to the University or enrolment in any unit or course/program* of study or research at the University and includes related research.
      
      *Note – In accordance with the Curriculum Architecture Policy, from 1 January 2020 ‘programs’ are known as ‘courses’.
3. Misconduct: conduct prohibited by any University Regulation and any corrupt conduct in connection with the University.
4. Academic misconduct: any misconduct relating to an academic exercise.
5. Research misconduct: constitutes a failure to comply with The Macquarie Code, the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018  or specific provisions of University policies governing the conduct of research by University researchers. Research misconduct includes intent and deliberation, recklessness or persistent negligence; and/or seriously deviates from accepted standards within the research and scholarly community for proposing, conducting or reporting research; and may have serious consequences.
6. University Regulation: the by-laws, rules, codes of conduct, policies and directions from time to time of the University.