Certifications of Academic Integrity | Columbia Law School

Certifications of Academic Integrity

• Faculty Resolution on Principles of Academic Honesty
• Student Certification of Examination Performance
• Student Certification of Written Work
• Download Certifications of Academic Integrity

Faculty Resolution on Principles of Academic Honesty

In October 2003, the Faculty adopted the following principles of academic honesty by which students are expected to abide. These principles are the cornerstone of educational integrity at Columbia Law School. They also reflect the legal profession’s special obligations of self-regulation. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with these principles during initial orientation and before taking an examination or submitting any work for credit toward a degree. Academic dishonesty — attempted or actual — will not be tolerated.

 Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

1. Plagiarism: Failure to cite or otherwise acknowledge in any paper, exercise, or project submitted for credit ideas or phrases gained from another source such as published text, another person’s work, or materials on the Internet unless the source is obvious from the context given.
2. Self-Plagiarism: The submission of one piece of work in more than one offering or in any two exercises for credit without the explicit permission of the instructors involved.
3. Preparation by another: The submission of work as one’s own that has been prepared by or purchased from another.
4. Cheating: To give, receive, take assistance, or make unauthorized use of information from written material, another person, his or her paper, or from any other source (except as explicitly allowed by the instructor) before or during an examination or other written exercise.
5. Violation of instructions: Failure to abide by the explicit directions or instructions of an instructor with regard to a performance for credit.
6. Falsification of work product: Falsification or misrepresentation of data, evidence, or other reportable observations in any course or other exercise for credit.
7. Impermissible collaboration: The violation of the rules on acceptable collaboration on projects, papers, exercises, or examinations set by a faculty member or Law School committee.
8. Tampering with materials: Removing, hiding, or altering library materials or stealing another person’s materials.
9. Facilitation of academic dishonesty: Facilitating academic dishonesty by enabling another to engage in such behavior.
10. In further clarification and recognition of the standards of academic conduct to be met, students sign the following language of certification, Student Certification of Examination Performance, when submitting any exam, and Student Certification of Written Work when submitting work for credit.

Student Certification of Examination Performance

I certify that (a) I have not received any information (other than that provided by the instructor or the Law School generally) regarding the content of this examination, (b) since receiving the examination, I have not discussed it (verbally, electronically, or in writing) with any other student taking the examination, (c) I have not and will not share or communicate, directly or indirectly, any information relating to the nature or content of, or answers to, this examination to any student who has not yet taken this examination, (d) I have complied fully with all instructions given by the instructor relating to this examination, including any restrictions on access to materials or sources of information.

I understand that the relative autonomy of the legal profession carries with it special obligations of self-regulation as outlined in the Columbia Law School Bulletin and that any violation of this certification will subject me to discipline, including possible suspension or expulsion by the Law School, declination to certify for admission to the Bar, and sharing of information about discipline with Bar admissions committees. I further understand that the Law School is required to notify Bar admissions committees if a student has been the subject of disciplinary proceedings, regardless of the outcome of those proceedings.

_________________________________                                     _________
Signature                                                                                        Date 

Student Certification of Written Work

I certify that the attached written or electronically transmitted material is my own work. I further certify that (a) I have formally cited or otherwise fully acknowledged the quotations, ideas, and wording used here from other sources, whether published or unpublished, in written or electronic form, (b) I have engaged in no falsification or misrepresentation of data or experience in this submission, (c) I have disclosed any collaboration not specifically authorized by the instructor.

I understand that the relative autonomy of the legal profession carries with it special obligations of self-regulation as outlined in the Columbia Law School Bulletin and that any violation of this certification will subject me to discipline, including possible suspension or expulsion by the Law School, declination to certify for admission to the Bar, and sharing of information about discipline with Bar admissions committees. I further understand that the Law School is required to notify Bar admissions committees if a student has been the subject of disciplinary proceedings, regardless of the outcome of those proceedings.

_____________________________                                             _________
Signature                                                                                        Date 

Download Certifications of Academic Integrity

Certification of Examination Performance
Certification of Written Work
Faculty Resolution on Principles of Academic Honesty