Academic Integrity
Our Commitment
Anchor Christian University (ACU) upholds rigorous academic integrity. Cheating and plagiarism are unacceptable and violate the University's biblical values of honesty and faithful stewardship (Proverbs 11:3; Colossians 3:23). Every student must submit original work and give proper credit to sources. By enrolling, students agree to these standards.
What Counts as Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:
Cheating: using unauthorized notes, aids, or information on an exam, or submitting work done by someone else as one's own.
Plagiarism: presenting another person's words, ideas, or work as one's own, or failing to cite sources properly (see Citation and Original Work below).
Unauthorized collaboration or copying: working with others on an assignment when the instructor has not allowed it, or copying another student's work.
Unauthorized use of AI: submitting AI-generated content as one's own, or using AI in ways the course syllabus does not permit (see Use of AI below).
Obtaining an unfair advantage: accessing exam materials before they are released, keeping or sharing exam materials, or buying or selling completed assignments.
Misrepresentation: forging or altering academic documents, giving false information to a University official, having someone else complete one's work or exam, or lying about personal circumstances to obtain an extension.
Obstruction: interfering with other students' learning, such as disrupting class forums or tampering with another student's work.
Citation and Original Work
Students are responsible for learning proper citation. Lack of knowledge about plagiarism does not excuse it, although unintentional plagiarism is treated less severely than intentional plagiarism.
Any words, ideas, or information taken from another source, published or unpublished, must be cited in APA style, 7th edition, unless the syllabus names another style.
Submitting substantially the same assignment for credit in more than one course is plagiarism unless both instructors approve it in advance.
Quoted or closely paraphrased material, even when cited, counts toward no more than 10% of an assignment's required word count or page length.
Students who are unsure how to cite a source should ask their instructor before submitting the assignment.
Use of AI
Students may use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, as study aids, subject to each instructor's guidelines. Each course syllabus states whether and how AI tools may be used in that course. The syllabus governs.
When the syllabus is silent, these defaults apply:
Generally allowed as a study aid | Not allowed without instructor permission |
|---|---|
Explaining a concept or reading | Writing any part of a submitted assignment or discussion post |
Generating practice questions or quizzing oneself | Paraphrasing or rewriting a source or one's own draft |
Brainstorming topics or organizing one's own ideas | Completing quizzes or exams |
Citing AI. Any AI-generated content included in coursework must be used within the instructor's guidelines and explicitly cited. The citation names the tool, the date used, and the prompt, following APA 7th edition guidance for generative AI. Students should keep a copy of their prompts and the AI's responses in case the instructor asks to see them.
Unauthorized use. Submitting AI-generated writing as one's own, or using AI beyond what the syllabus permits, is academic dishonesty. Instructors may use AI-detection software. A detection result alone is not proof of a violation; it prompts a review under the University's Student Discipline & Appeals policy.
Proofreading and Writing Tools
Spelling and grammar checkers built into word processors, such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs, are always allowed. For tools such as Grammarly, follow the course syllabus. Where the syllabus does not address them:
Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
Flagging spelling, grammar, punctuation, or formatting errors | Generative text features |
Suggesting a replacement word or a few alternatives | Paraphrasing or "text spinner" tools |
Suggesting a minor edit to one sentence for clarity | Rewriting or adding whole paragraphs or sections |
In ENC100 and ENC137, Grammarly and similar tools are not permitted, because those courses build the skills the tools would supply. Heavy use of these tools can also trigger AI-detection warnings. Students who use them should add a brief note at the end of the assignment listing the features used.
Consequences
Confirmed academic dishonesty may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the University. Investigations, sanctions, and student appeals follow the University's Student Discipline & Appeals policy.