Student Conduct providing resources to combat student dishonesty

Update | Tuesday, April 27, 2021

As you may be aware, there has been a sharp, nationwide increase in students at colleges and universities utilizing “tutoring” websites such as Chegg.com, CourseHero.com, Studypool.com, AnswersAccess.com, CampusWriters.org, AnswerDocs.com, EliteWriters.org, Bartleby.com, and more. While these sites may have an innocuous mission and claim they are there to help students with their learning, they are often utilized for more nefarious practices that challenge academic integrity. All too frequently, students upload course materials such as assignments, labs, quizzes, and exams to these sites and – for a one-time or monthly fee – obtain answers to these assessments.

There is currently a team of faculty and staff members engaged in the Scholastic Integrity Committee working to develop practices to combat the use of these sites. Two items that may be of immediate use which allow you to include additional language on syllabi and Blackboard, as well as a copyright notice that can be placed on course materials. Below, you will find some model language prepared by the Legal Services staff. You have the option to include it in your materials. If you’re able to amend your materials now, it would be beneficial to do so. 

• Expanded copyright notice to be placed on Blackboard, Syllabus, etc.:

Columbus State Community College and its employees hold copyright in the exams, lectures, and other course materials. This copyright encompasses student notes and other summaries or reproductions of the College’s course materials. These materials are made available to students for their personal use only and may not be distributed for commercial purposes without the College’s express written consent. Violation of the College’s copyright may result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct and disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. 

• Brief copyright notice to place prominently on course materials, exams, and handouts: 

Published by Columbus State Community College, 550 E. Spring St., Columbus, Ohio, 43215. Copyright © [Year the work is published or distributed] Columbus State Community College. All rights reserved. 

If you find students utilizing these sites or posting your course materials, please document the matter with the Office of Student Conduct by completing an online incident reporting form that can be found here. Please include any relevant screenshots and supporting documentation such as assignments and copies of syllabi with statements prohibiting such behavior.

Additionally, Digital Education and Instructional Services (DEIS) and the College Testing Department have teamed up to offer a service to help identify Columbus State course materials on websites to assist in removing them. They are doing a search of the most popular sites now. They will contact you if they find any of your course materials and send a “takedown notice” to the website. If you have information about your course materials being on a site, contact us by filling out a Takedown Form.

If you have questions or ways that Student Conduct may be of assistance or service, contact them at 614-287-2104 or studentconduct@cscc.edu. 

 

Go to 2021 Update Archive Go to Employee Update