As a student at Foothill College, you join a community of scholars who are committed to excellence in teaching and learning.
We assume that students will pursue their studies with integrity and honesty; however, all students should know that incidents of academic dishonesty are taken very seriously.

When students are caught cheating or plagiarizing, a process is begun that may result in severe consequences.
It is vitally important to your academic success that you know what constitutes academic dishonesty at Foothill College.

See also, Academic Honor Code for Internet Based Courses.

The two most common kinds of academic dishonesty are cheating and plagiarism.

• Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means.
• Plagiarism is representing the work of someone else as your own and submitting it for any purpose.

It is your responsibility to know what constitutes academic dishonesty. Interpretations of academic dishonesty may differ among individuals and groups. However, as a student at Foothill, you are expected to refrain from the behavior outlined in this brochure. If you are unclear about a specific situation, speak to your instructor.

The following list identifies some of the activities defined as academic dishonesty:

1. Copying, in part or in whole, from someone else's test;
2. Submitting work presented previously in another course, if contrary to the rules of either course;
3. Altering or interfering with grading;
4. Using or consulting, during an examination, any sources, consulting with others, use of electronic equipment including cell phones and PDAs, or use of materials not authorized by the instructor; or
5. Committing other acts that defraud or misrepresent.

1. Incorporating the ideas, words, sentences, paragraphs, or parts of another person's writings, without giving appropriate credit, and representing the product as your own;
2. Representing another's artistic or scholarly works such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings or sculptures as your own;
3. Submitting a paper purchased from a research or term paper service, including the Internet; or
4. Undocumented Web source usage.

1. Purposely allowing another student to copy from your paper during a test;
2. Giving your homework, term paper or other academic work to another student to plagiarize;
3. Having another person submit any work in your name;
4. Lying to an instructor or college official to improve your grade;
5. Altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading;
6. Stealing tests;
7. Forging signatures on drop/add cards or other college documents; or
8. Collaboration without permission of instructor.

Academic and/or administrative sanctions may be applied in cases of academic dishonesty.

Academic consequences may include:       

1. Receive a failing grade on the test, paper or exam;
2. Have your course grade lowered;
3. Receive a grade of F in the course.

Administrative consequences may include:

1. Be placed on disciplinary probation;
2. Be placed on disciplinary suspension; or
3. Be expelled.

The Student Affairs & Activities Office maintains a record of students who have engaged in academic dishonesty. This information is used to identify and discipline students reported for academic dishonesty more than once. A copy of the Foothill College Student Conduct, Discipline & Due Process Procedure is printed in the handbook for each of these groups, and copies are available in the Student Affairs & Activities Office in Room 6201. We thank the San Jose State University Student Affairs Vice President's Office for many of the statements in this section. The Foothill College Academic Honor Code was developed and approved by the college's Academic Senate in 2004.

If your overall GPA falls below a 2.0 (C average), you will be placed on academic probation.

A strategy for ending probation and improving your academic standing is to repeat courses in which you may have received grades of D or F. If you repeat such courses at Foothill or De Anza colleges, the grade you earn when you repeat a course replaces the previous grade for grade point calculation. For example, let's say you took a French course a year ago and got a grade of F. Last quarter, you took the same French course and got a B. The B grade replaces the F in calculating your GPA; however the F remains on your permanent record. This is one of the quickest ways to improve your GPA.

Progress Probation
You are placed on progress probation if you receive a W (withdrawal), I (incomplete) or NP (no pass) in more than 50 percent of units attempted. The same consequences for academic probation also apply to progress probation. If you are on progress probation for three consecutive quarters, you can be disqualified from Foothill College.

One way to avoid being placed on progress probation is to be aware of drop dates. If you officially drop a course within the first four weeks of a quarter, there will be no record of attendance. Please refer to the current academic calendar and Schedule of Classes for important drop dates.

For a complete and official description of academic and progress probation, please see the current Foothill College Course Catalog.


Status While on Probation
The following applies to either academic, progress or both.

1. A probationary student may be required to carry a limited number of units;
2. A student is not eligible for honors or graduation while on probation; and
3. A student admitted with advanced standing who has a GPA below 2.0 or who has been academically disqualified from

Foothill or any other college is admitted on probationary status.

Academic Disqualification
You may be dismissed from Foothill College if you are on probation for three consecutive quarters. If you are disqualified, you will receive notice of dismissal by mail the following quarter. Dismissal will be reviewed by the Academic Council at your request. You may be readmitted after a one-quarter absence (excluding Summer Session). Consult a Foothill counselor for readmission policies and procedures.

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