Academic integrity is a fundamental value in academia and enhances student learning and success. The Academic Integrity Tutorial discusses why academic integrity is important, provides examples of academic dishonesty, shares how students can practice academic integrity, outlines the university policy and procedures pertaining to academic misconduct, and shares resources to support your academic integrity and student success. Access the tutorial.

Chegg and Other Study Sites

Using Chegg and other online study sites could constitute a violation of University policy. Prior to using external sources, such as Chegg, you should review University policy and ask for clarification if you are unsure if your use would constitute a violation.

Contract Cheating

Contract cheating is a type of academic dishonesty where students get academic work completed on their behalf to submit for credit as if they had created it themselves.

Resources for International Students

In order successfully adapt to the American culture and educational system, you have to keep an open mind and be willing to renegotiate some of the academic values you may bring from your home country.  In the United States, qualities such as independence, originality, critical thinking, and interpretation are extremely valued.  Here, success is measured by individual effort. This booklet is intended to help you understand Iowa State's expectations regarding academic integrity and provide general information about how to be successful academically. You can watch this video to learn more.

International Guide to Student Success Plain Text Document (PDF)

Artificial Intelligence

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT is prohibited where instructors indicate work should be done independently by the student. This includes drafts, outlines, essays, process work, etc. Whether having another person or company or AI tool complete written work, assignments, or other coursework for you, this constitutes academic misconduct.

The purpose of your education and courses is to learn and demonstrate your learning, as measured by the assignments and assessments selected and developed by instructors. Developing these skills will help you as you continue your education and into your workplace in the future. AI-generated coursework will be treated like any other form of academic misconduct. Where students have questions about how or when AI may be permitted for use in the course, you should engage with your instructor directly.

Conflict Coaching is a private and voluntary process designed to help students navigate interpersonal conflicts. Use this guide to Conflict Coaching for your reference and request a conflict coaching session with a member of our team.

Iowa State University is committed to fostering a learning environment where free expression, vigorous debate, and open inquiry are encouraged. Consistent with the Iowa State Principles of Community, honest and respectful expression of ideas and open-minded understanding which promotes the full inclusion of all individuals, organizations and groups, is a critical component of a thriving learning community. 

The content of this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be understood as legal advice. For help with any legal problems or concerns, including those similar to the situations described herein, a licensed attorney should be contacted. The contributors to this site do not claim or guarantee that the information provided is or will be accurate, correct, or effective in any particular situation, and should not serve as a substitute for competent legal counsel.  In addition, the information presented here is summary in fashion and does not state official university policy. This content does not supersede, amend, modify, or replace official university policy. University policies on these subjects may be found at: https://www.policy.iastate.edu/. 

What is Freedom of Speech?

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states, “Congress [i.e., the government, and by extension, employees of the state including public institutions such as ISU] shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”


Freedom of speech is the right of a person to articulate opinions and ideas without interference, retaliation or punishment from the government. The term “speech” is interpreted broadly and includes spoken and written words as well as symbolic speech (e.g., what a person wears, reads, performs, protests, and more). The First Amendment protects speech even when the ideas put forth are thought by some or even by the majority of individuals to be illogical, offensive, immoral, or hateful.  Indeed, in Texas v. Johnson (1989), the Supreme Court stated, “If there is a bedrock principle underlying the First Amendment, it is that government may not prohibit the expression of an idea simply because it finds it offensive or disagreeable.” Public universities such as Iowa State are subject to the constitutional restrictions set forth in the First Amendment, both in state / federal law, and so may not take action infringing on an individual’s freedom of speech.


Freedom of speech and a commitment to vigorous debate and open inquiry does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish.  The university may restrict speech that falsely defames a specific individual; that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment; that is intended and likely to provoke imminent unlawful action, or that otherwise violates the law.  In addition, the university may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of speech to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the university. The exceptions have been interpreted narrowly by the Supreme Court and other state and federal courts.

 

Learn more by visiting the Iowa State Free Speech webpage.

This guide provides information about University policies and expectations regarding the completion of academic work and research. Students should review the Student Code of Conduct, Course Catalog, and Graduate College Handbook for additional information. Information on the academic grievance process can be found in chapter 9 of the Graduate College Handbook.

Graduate Student Guide Plain Text Document (PDF)

Iowa State University has policies pertaining to harassment and discriminatory harassment.

Where there are allegations of violations of the policy (review the policy and procedural definitions for more information), the Office of Student Conduct will review the information provided. For cases involving reports of discriminatory harassment or sexual harassment, the Office of Equal Opportunity may take complaints and conduct investigations, sharing their findings with the Office of Student Conduct.

Information on Iowa State’s Title IX Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking is available. Iowa Criminal Code pertaining to Harassment is available.

Iowa State is primarily concerned for the health and safety of its students. Iowa State is aware that students may sometimes be reluctant to seek medical attention in alcohol-and drug-related emergencies, out of fear that they may face university sanctions related to possessing or consuming alcohol and drugs. Because these emergencies are potentially life-threatening, Iowa State hopes to reduce barriers that prevent students from seeking assistance.

Accordingly, students who voluntarily seek emergency medical attention for themselves or someone else related to the consumption of alcohol or drugs may be referred for substance abuse evaluation and/or treatment, and/or the educational Diversion Program, instead of facing university charges and sanctions for alcohol-or drug-related policy violations. Students may additionally be referred to Student Assistance for appropriate follow-up, including ensuring students are aware of the support and resources available.

Medical Amnesty only applies when a student initiates the call for emergency medical attention and only when the emergency medical attention is needed to address alcohol or drug emergencies. It does not apply when the individual suffering from the alcohol or drug emergency is discovered by a University official (e.g., security, CA, etc.).

If a representative of an organization hosting a registered event calls for medical assistance, this act of responsibility may mitigate potential disciplinary consequences that could arise against the organization (i.e., the fact that an organization representative sought help may be considered in potential sanctioning of the organization for policy violations).

Medical Amnesty does not apply to violations of the Student Code of Student Conduct that are egregious and fall outside alcohol or drug related policy violations, including, but not limited to, cases involving sexual assault, weapons possession, possession of drugs that induce incapacitation (e.g. Rohypnol or other "date rape drugs"), and drug offenses extending beyond mere possession.  Iowa State strongly encourages victims who have been sexually assaulted after consuming alcohol or drugs and witnesses of such assaults to come forward without fear of disciplinary action by the University. Iowa State strongly encourages students to seek emergency treatment when alcohol poisoning or a drug overdose is suspected.