Rinella Learning Center
The Rinella Learning Center offers academic counseling and coaching, tutoring, workshops, and more to improve your student skills.
Academic Integrity Resources for Students
Academic Integrity at Miami values your learning and understands it may be helpful to have support when choosing integrity. In other words, we don't expect you to choose integrity without help. Instead, we challenge you to think critically about the ways in which you seek assistance.
Campus Resources of Choosing Integrity
Ultimately, it is up to you to choose integrity but we know it's helpful to have support. Perhaps you're interested in learning how to refrain from committing academic dishonesty or you've had a prior case of academic dishonesty and are searching for resources to assist for changed behavior. Here are some resources to help you choose integrity:
Howe Center for Writing Excellence
The Howe Center for Writing Excellence offers workshops, writing support, and writing resources to improve your writing skills.
Miller Center for Student Disability Services
The Miller Center for Student Disability Services provides students with services and accommodations.
English Language Learner Writing Center
The English Language Learner Writing Center supports multilingual students by providing one-on-one consulting to improve the use of the English academic language.
Miami Libraries
Miami's librarians and library resources are here to help you.
Your Professors
If you have questions in regard to the course or assignments, ask your professor for clarification.
Things to Avoid on Online Tutoring and Homework Help Sites
We know it may seem convenient to get help from an online entity vs. an in-person tutor. But, depending on the site's offerings and your use, it may be academic dishonesty. We recommend speaking to your course instructor before accessing sites like Chegg, Khan Academy, Cymath, Photomath, Symbolab, etc. prior to use for explicit permission. See below for things to avoid on online tutoring and homework help sites:
While you may think you are asking a question to an online expert, there is often little to no follow-up conversation. Meaning, there is little to no actual learning taking place during the exchange. In order for a tutoring experience to be helpful, the component of discussion is essential.
It is never a good idea to input your problem into a solution-based resource as these sources often pull from assignments completed by others. While the given solution may be correct, it is not your work and the process to completion can be varied.
Like math solvers, homework solutions produce solutions completed by others.
Protecting Your Work
It's important to take appropriate steps to secure your work against plagiarism. See below for tips on protecting your work.
Like any other site that stores personal information, it's important to periodically change your password to ensure protection. First, do not give your login information to anyone. Second, if you suspect another person has accessed your Miami credentials, contact IT and change your password immediately. For added security, Miami students are required to enroll in DUO Security, a two-factor authentication tool.
If a classmate reaches out for help and you've received the green light from your instructor to assist, we recommend talking through the material vs. giving them your work. First, talking through the material ensures you know the material yourself. Second, by giving, you are unable to monitor the use of your work. Thus, leaving the option to plagiarize widely available.
It is important that you only upload your work to the platform instructed by your professor. If you find your work on a homework help site like Chegg, contact the site and request it be removed or ask us (Academic Integrity) to help facilitate the removal.
Strategies for Saying No
We know it can be difficult to say no to a friend requesting academic help, but depending on the instructions/directions your help could be academic dishonesty. See below for some strategies for saying no:
We know it is difficult to say no to a friend, but a case of academic dishonesty isn't exactly "friendship goals." Try saying: "Hey, thanks for thinking of me, but the instructions for the assignment say it's an individual project. I value our friendship and I don't want to jeopardize either of our academic standings."
An instructor's office hours is a great opportunity to get your questions answered. Try saying: "I had that same question. I went to office hours and the instructor explained it better than I could. You should make an appointment, their office hours are Monday and Wednesday from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm."
From the Rinella Learning Center to the Howe Center for Writing Excellence, there are several campus resources available to help you and your friend choose integrity. Try saying: "I noticed the Rinella Learning Center hosts workshops about test taking strategies. Do you want to check it out together?"
Office of Undergraduate Education
Roudebush Hall, Room 208
501 E. High Street
Oxford, OH 45056
