Academic Integrity

To me academic integrity is an essential part of being a student at Clemson.  Without it our degrees wouldn’t hold the same value and we as a community would lose not only our reputations as honorable students but also our trust in one another.  To have integrity means you hold yourself to a higher standard and act accordingly everyday.  Integrity is important both in and out of the classroom, both in our living communities and social events.  We need to abide by a set of moral rules to not only build a strong community but also encourage others to do the same.  While at Clemson academics come first and foremost to me and to make sure I get the most out of my education I need to know it has extreme value.  

The role of academic integrity throughout Clemson’s classrooms and courses provides me with the comfort of knowing I am getting a quality education and the degree I am constantly working for will hold much value when I finally attain it.  To me one of the most important aspects of academic integrity is fairness among all students in their own individual work.  I believe that if I have to spend my own time and put my own effort into working on my academics other students should abide by the same idea.  I like to know that I did the best I could possibly do on my own without potentially negative assistance and that others followed this ideal too.  I believe that instructors, teachers, and professors list these rules and policies to help their students and to make sure that what they teach reaches every student in an accessible manner.  When a student disregards these rules they are hurting themselves, their instructors, their fellow students and Clemson because they are lowering themselves to a dishonorable level. 

I pledge to do my own work when directed, never cheat on a test, never steal someone else’s work, and to make sure that I not only put forth my best effort and work but also make sure that others’ best efforts and work stay their own.  I want to be proud of the work I accomplish here during my four years here.  Having academic integrity will not only guide me to accomplish individual assignments but lead me to earn a valued degree and hold myself to a higher standard.