Academic Resources

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the foundation of USF's commitment to the academic honesty and personal integrity of its university community.  Academic integrity is grounded in certain fundamental values, which include honesty, respect and fairness.  Broadly defined, academic honesty is the completion of all academic endeavors and claims of scholarly knowledge as representative of one’s own efforts.  Knowledge and maintenance of the academic standards of honesty and integrity as set forth by the university are the responsibility of the entire academic community, including the instructional faculty, staff and students.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY REVIEW AND APPEALS – Process for Undergraduate Students

USF has identified behaviors that are considered violations of the academic standards for Undergraduate students.  These behaviors include the following and are described in USF Regulation 3.027 – Academic Integrity of Students (pp. 4-8):

  • Cheating
  • Plagiarism
  • Fabrication, Forgery and Obstruction
  • Multiple Submissions
  • Complicity
  • Improper use of teamwork credit
  • Solicitation or Purchase
  • Misrepresentation
  • Misconduct in Research and Creative Endeavors
  • Computer Misuse
  • Misuse of Intellectual Property
  • Violation of State or Federal laws with regard to Intellectual Property

If a student is identified as having violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the student may appeal after the final academic sanction is received.  Appeals to the Academic Integrity Policy may only be considered for the following reasons:

  • The academic integrity violation or sanction had no factual basis or could not be reasonably inferred by the facts as presented; or
  • The academic integrity violation or sanction violated a University Regulation or Policy.

A student who has accepted responsibility for the academic integrity violation itself (either in writing or verbally) to the instructor or administrator, may not challenge the factual basis and may only appeal the severity of the sanction imposed.


Submitting an Academic Integrity Appeal Request

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Studies has developed a streamlined process by which students who wish to appeal an academic integrity violation or sanction in a course offered by the College of Arts and Sciences may submit a request for appeal via the CAS Academic Integrity Student Appeals Request Form.

  • If you have received an academic integrity violation and sanction in a course offered by a college outside of CAS, please reach out to that college directly for information on how to submit a request for appeal.

The CAS Academic Integrity Student Appeals Request Form can be found here: CAS AI Student Appeals Request Form

NOTE: Please download the CAS AI Student Appeals Request form to your computer PRIOR to entering the requested information.  Once you have successfully downloaded the form, please complete and save as a PDF.

Once complete, student appeals request forms and supporting documentation should be submitted to CASAIGC@usf.edu with copy to the course instructor and Chair/designee for the department in which the course is housed.


Review the Academic Integrity Review and Appeals Process.

Academic Integrity Review and Appeals Process for Students
Students may direct any questions related to the Academic Integrity Policy to CASAIGC@usf.edu.