Student Life

UWF to host Academic Integrity Week Sept. 8 – 12, 2014

‘As Argonauts, we act with integrity. We do not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.’ – UWF Honor Code

‘As Argonauts, we act with integrity. We do not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do.’ – UWF Honor Code

The Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, along with the Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board, will host the third annual Academic Integrity Week from Sept. 8 – 12.  The purpose of Academic Integrity Week is to raise awareness of the UWF Honor Code, promote academic and personal integrity, and educate students regarding the UWF academic misconduct policies.

One of the highlights of Academic Integrity Week is a screening of the film “Shattered Glass.” The film, based on real events, portrays the journalistic career of New Republic writer Stephen Glass, whose writing was later exposed to be widely fraudulent. The film will be shown in the University Commons Auditorium on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 8:30 p.m. Following the showing of the film, there will be a brief program in which a UWF student discusses his own experience of being found responsible for cheating and the fallout that resulted.

“Academic Integrity Week is a way to help raise awareness of our Honor Code and educate students about the academic misconduct policies,” said Dr. Gentry McCreary, associate dean of students. “Our goal is that the week will help students buy in to the notion that integrity is important, and that cheating has no place at the University of West Florida.”

In addition to the film screening, UWF SGA will promote the UWF Honor Code throughout the week by hosting “Know Your Code” events across campus. During these events, students will be quizzed on the Honor Code and Academic Misconduct Policy for a chance to win prizes.

“Our primary focus during Academic Integrity Week is to remind students to hold themselves and their fellow Argonauts accountable,” said Ethan Friedland, SGA president. “Going beyond memorizing words, we want the Honor Code to be an integral part of each UWF student’s college experience.”

During the week, each of the Academic Foundations Seminar courses will cover an academic integrity module, providing students in these courses the opportunity to discuss the Honor Code and its relevance to the University. All University faculty members have been encouraged to incorporate conversations and materials regarding personal and academic integrity into their courses throughout the week.