Taking Academic Integrity Seriously
Academic Integrity has always been a matter of serious consideration at my own School – and will become increasingly important across the Sector given a shift from examinations to assignments; the emergence of AI (Chat GPT in particular); and of course the Sector’s near obsession with the issue. It is our view that it will be one of the big issues moving forward – as we emerge out of the shadows of COVID and into the new reality.
The key elements to keep in mind (supported by the HE Regulator) are –
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Have in place the necessary Policies and Procedures |
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Policies and procedures need to be accessible |
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They are appropriate to the size of the provider |
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They are known to staff and students |
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Can be demonstrated that they are effective |
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Mechanisms are in place to determine effectiveness |
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Preventative action is used |
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Monitoring of risk is evident |
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Corporate Governance monitoring is evident |
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Processes used to manage are clear |
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Fair treatment prevails |
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An information system is in place to record details |
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Experience is used for improvement |
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Appropriate credit transfer is utilised |
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Adequate staff training is in place |
To ensure that the processes are in place a regime is essential. At our own institution, we have in place an eight part strategy that is utilised each trimester –
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Week #0 |
Staff Professional Development Seminar highlights issues |
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Week #0 |
Student Orientation sessions are used to highlight the importance |
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Week #1 |
Subject outlines are used to demonstrate issues |
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Week #2 |
New Students are informed of resources |
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Week #3 |
Continuing students are reminded of resources |
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Week #4 |
All students are briefed by the Executive Dean |
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Week #5 |
All students are briefed by the Chair, Academic Integrity Committee |
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Week#12 |
Further briefing by Chair, Academic Integrity Committee |
It is essential to have in place a clear, benchmarked, and informed Academic Misconduct Policy accompanied by an appropriate Student Code of Conduct.
An Academic Integrity Committee (ideally a standing committee of the Academic Senate) needs to be in place and should meet regularly and consistently. A senior academic should be appointed Chair and needs to be supported by a quality secretary ensuring appropriate recording of data to be used in a range of reports.
Further, Academic Integrity should be a standing report of all Academic Senate meetings and form part of the reporting mechanisms to the Corporate Board in turn.
The challenges presented need to be met head-on and every effort made to detect and resolve breaches in academic integrity throughout a trimester. At the same time, considerable focus needs to be placed on preventing breaches whenever possible. Keeping staff and students informed along the way is essential.
Keeping informed, relevant, and current is also essential -
https://www.ubss.edu.au/article/a-shift-from-exams-to-assignments/
https://www.ubss.edu.au/article/ai-disruption-assessment/
https://www.ubss.edu.au/article/a-matter-of-credibility-and-authenticity/
https://www.ubss.edu.au/article/chatgpt-a-two-way-conversation/
https://www.ubss.edu.au/article/a-matter-of-academic-authenticity-integrity/
Academic Integrity is one of the big challenges facing us moving forward – we need to be informed, vigilant, and responsive.
Emeritus Professor Greg Whateley is Deputy Vice Chancellor of UBSS and Chief Executive Officer of GCA
Associate Professor Tom O’Connor is Chair, the UBSS Academic Integrity Committee
