# Academic Integrity and Conduct ## expand\_more ## Rules Governing Academic Integrity The Divinity School seeks to maintain a learning environment characterized by academic integrity and fair access to educational resources. The following actions represent clear violations of academic integrity and fair access, and will be treated as disciplinary matters: - Cheating on examinations either by copying the work of others or through the use of unauthorized aids. - Plagiarism: presentation of the work of others (either written or visual) as one’s own work. All work submitted to meet course requirements must be the student’s own. In the preparation of papers and other written work, a student must be careful to distinguish between original ideas and those that have been derived from other sources. Information and opinions are to be attributed specifically to their sources. Students should be aware of and use the proper forms of citation; see, for example, The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th edition (Univ. of Chicago Press, 2014) and [Citation Tools from the HDS Library](https://library.hds.harvard.edu/key-databases/by-type/citation-tools). Quotations must be properly placed within quotation marks and fully cited; paraphrased material must also be fully cited. In all cases where ideas or materials presented are derived from a student’s reading and research, the source must be indicated. - Simultaneous or repeated submission without permission of substantially the same work (either written or visual) to more than one course. Normally, one paper may not be used to meet the requirements for more than one course. Students wishing to integrate the work of two separate courses into one paper may do so, but both instructors must give their approval in advance. Papers submitted for more than one course must show both course numbers on the title page. - Theft, vandalism, or destruction of the work of another student or group of students. - Theft, vandalism, or destruction of any educational resource (including library materials). - Altering or misrepresentation of academic records. - Other actions that present a serious threat to the learning environment at the University. A student who has a concern about academic integrity or feels that they have been treated unfairly in the academic context normally speaks with the faculty member in question or an appropriate teaching fellow or the associate dean for faculty and academic affairs. ## Attribution Rule in HDS Classes (including Instructional Staff) Harvard Divinity School follows the [Chatham House Rule](https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule) for all in-class discussions. The HDS application of the rule stipulates that, upon leaving the classroom, students and instructors may refer to statements made in class, but they may not identify to those who were not in the original conversation (including in social media posts or other format) the source of a statement without the written consent of the speaker. This includes statements made by the instructional staff. Students may take notes for their own learning. Students may also record lectures with express permission of the class instructor. However, the recording and/or distribution of in-class student discussions without the permission of the recorded student speakers is not allowed. This rule should not be read as preventing or discouraging complaints relative to anti-bullying, non-discrimination, and Title IX policies. Classroom concerns of this sort may be raised with appropriate school officers or other support personnel. Reported violations of the rule will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the associate dean for student services and the associate dean for faculty and academic affairs. After assessing impact and intent, they may refer the case to the Administrative Board. ## Misrepresentation of Application Materials Occasionally, candidates for admission make inaccurate statements or submit false material in connection with their applications. In most cases, these misrepresentations are discovered during the admission process and the application is rejected. If a misrepresentation is discovered after a candidate is admitted, the offer of admission will be withdrawn. If a misrepresentation is discovered after a student has registered, the offer of admission will be revoked and the student will be dismissed from the School. If the discovery occurs after a degree has been awarded, the degree will be rescinded. The determination that an application is inaccurate or contains misrepresentations rests solely with the Office of Admissions. The Office of Admissions also may rescind an offer of admission in other circumstances, including without limitation if: there is a discrepancy between the transcripts originally provided as part of the application and the official versions (or translations) submitted after acceptance; the admitted candidate did not satisfactorily complete any courses and degree programs in progress at the time of application; or the admitted candidate has engaged in academic or personal conduct that calls into question their honesty, maturity or moral character or is otherwise inconsistent with the School’s expectations for conduct.