The Duke Community Standard
Duke University is a community of scholars and learners, committed to the principles of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for others. Students share with faculty and staff the responsibility for promoting a climate of integrity. As citizens of this community, students are expected to adhere to these fundamental values at all times, in both their academic and non-academic endeavors.
The Pledge
Students affirm their commitment to uphold the values of the Duke University community by signing a pledge that states:
1. I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I accept the actions of those who do.
2. I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my activities as a Duke student.
The Reaffirmation
Upon completion of each academic assignment, students will be expected to reaffirm the above commitment by signing this statement: .I have adhered to the Duke Community Standard in completing this assignment. [Student Signature]
Students' Obligation to Report Potential Cases of Academic Dishonesty
Under the Duke Community Standard, students affirm their commitment not to lie, cheat, or steal in academic endeavors, nor accept the actions of those who do.
Thus, a student who has direct knowledge of a potential case of academic dishonesty is required to:
The observing student is encouraged first to confront the person(s) alleged to have committed the violation(s) for at least two reasons: 1) to correct any misassumption about alleged act(s), and 2) to let the accused student(s) know that the situation is being reported so that accused student(s) might choose to self-report as well. (Accepting responsibility to the faculty member and/or the Dean of Students Office prior to the reporting of an alleged offense will be considered as a positive factor in the determination of an appropriate sanction.)
- Provide a signed written statement of the observed behavior to the appropriate faculty member and/or to the Dean of Students Office within one week of the alleged occurrence; and
- Provide the name or identity of the person(s) alleged to have committed the violation(s).
Students who knowingly do not fulfill this obligation are themselves subject to sanctions.
