Each student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is responsible for the completion and presentation of work that is the result of an individual effort. Academic honesty and integrity lies at the heart of the values expressed in the University's mission statement and inspired by the spirit of Saint Augustine. When one comes to Villanova, one joins an academic community founded on the search for knowledge in an atmosphere of cooperation and trust. The intellectual health of the community depends on this trust and draws nourishment from the integrity and mutual respect of each of its members.
Villanova University has a formal code of academic integrity, which discusses issues such as plagiarism, cheating and other unacceptable academic behaviors. This document is included in The Blue Book: Villanova University Student Handbook, which is distributed to all students. Information about Villanova's Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Code, FAQs and Detailed Procedures for Appeals can be found on the Office of Academic Affairs web site under Academic Integrity. Students are also strongly encouraged to visit the Academic Integrity Gateway in order to learn more about our policy and avoiding plagiarism. It is the responsibility of every student to be familiar with this code and to adhere to it. A student who violates the academic integrity code in a course will receive an F for the assignment or a more severe penalty up to an F for the course. In addition, the student will be expected to complete an educational program, supervised by the student's college dean, to help the student come to a fuller understanding of academic integrity.
For the second offense, the student will be dismissed from the University and a record of the reason for dismissal will be retained in the student's permanent file and will appear on the student's official transcript. A student who commits an academic integrity violation outside of a specific course will receive a penalty determined by the dean of the student's college.
Students who receive an academic integrity penalty may, if they believe that they have not committed an academic integrity violation, take their case to the Board of Academic Integrity. Detailed descriptions of the University's Academic Integrity Policy are available from department chairs and deans. In keeping with its nature and goals as a private, church‑related institution, Villanova University regards student life on campus as an integral part of the student's educational experience. Hence it is to be understood that the student, in joining the University community, accepts the regulations promulgated in the Student Handbook.
The student should also become acquainted with and understand the responsibilities set forth in the Student Handbook, especially those in the sections on Policy and Regulations. Adherence to University regulations is expected and required for successful completion of the program of studies. Enforcement within the classroom of regulations regarding smoking, proper classroom attire, deportment, etc., is the responsibility of the faculty member.
