Final answer:
Acts of academic misconduct include plagiarism, cheating, and misrepresentation of facts. These undermine educational integrity and can result in severe penalties. Encouraging academic honesty and utilizing available resources help maintain integrity in academia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acts that are considered academic misconduct encompass a variety of behaviors which undermine the integrity of the educational process. At the heart of these is plagiarism, which is the act of presenting someone else’s work, ideas, or words as your own without proper acknowledgment of the source. This is a serious violation within academia as it compromises the trust between instructor, peers, and the institution.
Cheating is also a form of academic dishonesty and involves acting dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, especially during an exam. Similarly, misrepresentation of facts is another misconduct where information is manipulated or falsified. Supporting or aiding another in these actions is equally considered misconduct. All such behaviors can lead to severe consequences, including but not limited to disciplinary actions, failure on an assignment or course, or even dismissal from an academic program.
To foster academic integrity and avoid these pitfalls, students are encouraged to engage in practices that promote honesty, equity, and genuine learning. Utilizing resources such as instructors, course syllabi, college student handbooks, and educational websites helps build a foundation for maintaining integrity throughout one's academic journey.