Acedemic Integrity Pledge

As one bridges the gap between high school and college, the standards for academic achievement are no doubt of a higher caliber as compared to previous work. In a highly academic environment, it is important to take the furthering of one’s education seriously and with great pride. Plagiarism at a college level damages not only the individual’s academic reputation but also that of the university and its many students. Not properly citing the use of another’s words, thoughts, ideas or any published work discredits the hard work that others have put forth to achieve. Taking this information without giving due credit, either consciously or unconsciously, is an extremely serious violation that undermines the principles of higher education, morality, and life success.

Although we’re filled with the cliché moral that “Winners never cheat and cheaters never win” from a young age, many still fail to understand the gravity of cheating in some instances. Academic dishonesty only serves to disadvantage the individual with regard to the high standard of knowledge expected out of collegiate studies. The certification in an area of study loses merit if one in not properly equipped with the knowledge that the degree demands. In certain fields, lack of knowledge can in extreme cases result in fatal errors that would otherwise be preventable with the knowledge necessary to your specialty.

I personally seek to accept the rigors of collegiate level work and the challenges it provides for the sake of furthering my education so that I later pursue my goals with the proper knowledge and integrity that is expected. As such, I will not share my work nor accept the work of others as my own because it undermines the full extent of my own ability. If I seek to truly succeed in my life’s endeavors, I will strive to uphold the principles of academic integrity.