Avoiding a Breach - Academic Integrity

York University’s Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures establishes the expectations and standards for upholding integrity.

In particular, the policy:

describes various forms of academic misconduct to help students avoid actions that could lead to academic penalties.
explains the procedures followed when a breach is suspected, including the investigation process.
outlines the potential consequences of misconduct.
defines students’ responsibilities in preventing violations.
clarifies students’ rights and responsibilities if a breach is suspected.

This page builds on the policy by focusing on practical ways to avoid a breach. It helps you understand what actions to take and what to avoid in order to maintain integrity throughout your studies.

Based on York's Academic Conduct Policy and Procedures, here are some examples.

Plagiarism (Using Others’ or Your Own Work Improperly)

Plagiarizing someone else’s work by copying and pasting or failing to cite when required.
Paraphrasing or summarizing ideas from another source without providing credit.
Resubmitting work already submitted for another course (in whole or in part) without first seeking approval.

Improper Use of Tools and Technology

Using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools when their use has been restricted by your instructor.
Failing to disclose the use of GenAI tools, including not providing proper references or acknowledgments as required.
Using tools such as Google Translate or paraphrasing software to disguise and present others’ work as your own, including content generated by AI tools.

Unauthorized Collaboration or Sharing

Collaborating with others on assignments when you are expected to work alone.
Sharing your past assignments with classmates (they may copy and submit as their own).
Sharing test or exam answers with classmates.
Using answers that someone else has shared with you.
Posting test or exam answers on content-sharing sites.

Misconduct in Tests or Exams

Using unauthorized aids during a test or exam.
Permitting someone else to take an online test or exam on your behalf (impersonation, a serious violation).
Sending test questions to homework help experts and using their answers.

Fraudulent Activity

Paying for assignments online or paying others to complete your work.
Having friends or relatives complete your work for you.
Falsifying documents such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, or related records.

Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of possible forms of academic misconduct. If you’re uncertain whether an action might constitute a breach of academic conduct, consult your instructor, TA, or contact academicintegrity@yorku.ca.

What You Can Do

Here are some specific tips to help you avoid academic misconduct. For more guidance, visit Student Resources to explore various supports available across the university. Additionally, review AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students for advice on avoiding breaches when using AI tools.

Please note that the strategies provided in this section are not an exhaustive list. There may be additional course-specific or discipline-specific strategies that you can utilize to help you maintain academic integrity. Connect with your instructor or TA for any additional strategies or if you have any questions on how to demonstrate academic integrity.

At the beginning of each term, familiarize yourself with your course syllabus. Course syllabi often include a schedule of tests and assignments and your instructor’s expectations for assessments in their course. Make note of these expectations, assessment due dates and instructor contact information.

Strive to continuously enhance your academic skills, such as critical thinking, research, writing, and time management. Developing these abilities not only helps you produce higher-quality work but also reduces the temptation to engage in academic misconduct. Resources to support the enhancement of these skills can be found through Learning Skills, York University Libraries, the Writing Centre, and more. For a list of specific resources and supports, visit Student Resources.

If you are unclear about assignment expectations, collaborating with others, expectations for the use of AI tools, or if you experience any difficulties, reach out to your professor/TA.

Responsible use of AI tools involves following instructor’s expectations. Since these expectations can vary between courses, it’s crucial to understand the guidelines for each class. Make sure you’re clear on how AI tools should be used and what is considered appropriate.

Some instructors do not permit the use of these tools for assessments in their courses. If this is the case, avoid engaging with these tools for any part of each assessment.

If AI tools are permitted in your course, use them to enhance your work rather than substituting them for your own analysis and effort. These tools can be valuable for refining your work, but your own original ideas and critical thinking are essential for your academic growth.

Be transparent about your use of AI tools by following your instructor’s guidelines for citation and any additional requirements. This may include critically evaluating the AI-generated output, documenting how you used the tool, and reflecting on what you learned from the process.

Adhering to these expectations ensures that your work maintains integrity and demonstrates your understanding of the material. If you’re ever unsure about expectations for the use of AI tools, ask your instructor for clarification to avoid any unintentional breaches of academic integrity. For more information on using AI tools, visit AI Technology & Academic Integrity: Information for Students.

York University students have access to many sources of help, but it’s important to distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate options. Avoid tutoring services that charge money to complete your assignments or provide answers to online tests, no matter how trustworthy they may seem. Legitimate services focus on supporting your learning and helping you develop study skills—they do not provide answers.

Be cautious, as some non-legitimate sources of help can appear legitimate by posting flyers on York property or targeting students through social media. These services may look credible because they advertise on campus or through popular social media channels, but they often operate unethically, offering to complete assignments or provide test answers for a fee. Despite their appearance, using these services can lead to academic penalties and expose you to risks like blackmail and extortion. Always verify that the help you seek comes from trusted and official university resources, which are designed to support your learning and academic success.

York University offers many legitimate resources for assistance with coursework, writing, and research. View Student Resources to connect with different types of supports on campus. Always choose these trusted sources to ensure your academic integrity.

Posting course material that is the intellectual property of the instructor or posting your assignments or test/exam answers are actions that are in violation of York’s policies. Avoid posting this material on content sharing or homework help sites (e.g. Course Hero, OneClass, CHEGG, etc.), group messaging apps, message boards, or social media platforms. Doing so can result in an academic conduct penalty.

If you’re not sure whether certain material is fine to post, check with your instructor or TA.

Group messaging apps (e.g. Discord or WhatsApp) can be helpful tools that connect students and support learning. However, such tools can lead to breaches of academic conduct when students share or use answers to homework tasks, quizzes, tests, or exams, or when students collaborate on individual assignments. Moderators of these groups are required to clearly communicate the group’s purpose and to remind students of the expectations for academic honesty.

As a student, if you witness academically dishonest behaviour, it is strongly recommended that you leave the group. If you are unsure whether the behaviour is a violation of academic honesty, check with your instructor or TA.

Being a university student requires you to be independent and self-motivated but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. The Student Resources page provides a list of support services and resources at York where students can receive help with writing, citing, note taking and other academic skills.