The Student Academic Honor Code is the University’s statement on academic honesty and integrity written by representatives of the Student Senate, faculty, and administration during the academic year 2006-2007; it has as its foundation the APA Ethics Code.
The four basic transpersonal values that faculty want students to "grow in" during their university education are:
- Mindfulness
- Discernment
- Compassion
- Appreciation of differences
In addition, students are expected to demonstrate and comport with the highest standards in academic work, which include honesty (e.g., the absence of cheating or plagiarism); professional behavior in the classroom, at practicum, and internships sites; and respectful personal communication with staff, faculty, and other students.
No Academic Honor Code can cover all possible expectations or violations. The University reserves the right to determine in a given instance what action constitutes an infringement of academic honesty and integrity, professionalism, and respectful communication.
The University informs students of the expectations of academic honesty during orientation and in its publications, such as but not limited to the Academic Catalog. The University investigates claims of violations of academic honesty, lack of professionalism, and disrespectful communication. The spirit of this code is a shared commitment to the University’s values of integrity, honesty, fairness, and the integration of transpersonal values into its teaching, research, and business practices.
Sofia University maintains a strict sexual harassment policy and requires administration, faculty, and staff to follow all university policies for ethical behavior. The Student Academic Honor Code aims to foster student, faculty, and staff collegiality within a professional academic environment. Students will do their share and take an active part in upholding the spirit and letter of this Code as follows:
- Students will behave ethically as a valued member of the University community.
- Students will lead and teach ethical behavior, setting an example for the University community.
- Students are responsible for preserving the integrity of the academic atmosphere at the University.
- Students will take an active role in upholding the integrity of the University’s professional reputation (i.e., professional behavior in the classroom, and in practicum and internship sites).
- Faculty, staff, and students will not engage in multiple/dual relationships (e.g., faculty, instructor, or supervisors may not become romantically/ sexually involved with a student in a practicum or internship setting).
- Students will not give or receive unpermitted aid in examinations or in any work that is used by the instructor as the basis for grade evaluation.
- Students will not submit another’s work as their own.
- Students will report violations to the appropriate University designee.
Multiple/Dual Relationship Policy:
Faculty, staff, and administrative members are not to date or become romantically or sexually involved with a student. Similarly, a student is not to date or become romantically/ sexually involved with a Program Chair, faculty member, current practicum or internship supervisor, current instructor, or psychotherapist. Faculty who have served as a therapist for a potential student may not have the student in their class and will work with administration to provide academic options. A student is not to enroll for credit in a class whose instructor has been or is their therapist. For an expanded policy on multiple/dual relationships, students are urged to consult the APA ethical guidelines.
Professional Behavior in the Classroom:
Professional Behavior in the classroom, practicum, and internship sites is a University requirement. By "classroom" the Honor Code includes campus courses, courses conducted through the University’s Learning Management System, and residential seminars and intensives.
Some examples of professional behavior in the classroom, practicum sites, and internship sites include:
- Treating others with respect, dignity, consideration, and welcome.
- Being on time and prepared for class sessions.
- Exhibiting a realistic view of self – including one’s strengths and weaknesses.
- Perceiving the view of others and the impact of one’s actions on others accurately.
- Expressing respectful appreciation for diverse points of view even when disagreeing.
- Maintaining Student Academic Integrity and Ethical Behavior at the University and the Resolution Process
The list above is only partial. Instructors may explain in their syllabi (or supervisors in practicum/internship sites) other types of academic dishonesty and ethically inappropriate behavior relevant to the work in particular courses or sites.