Action plan for promoting academic integrity at Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University for 2025
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
1) What is a ‘Code of Ethics’?
A code of ethics is a set of moral principles, norms and rules of conduct for an individual or group of individuals, which determines the assessment of their actions in terms of relationships within the community and society based on adherence to the moral norms and principles they share.
2) Who does the Code of Ethics apply to?
The Code applies to the entire university community: students, postgraduates, doctoral students, teaching and support staff (university employees, such as methodologists, secretaries, specialists, etc.), administrative and support staff (e.g. dormitory managers, duty officers, cleaners, electricians, etc.), teachers, research staff, the University administration and its structural units (rector, deans and their deputies, etc.).
3) What will the Code of Ethics regulate?
The code will regulate compliance with ethical standards and rules and principles of academic integrity.
4) Which part of the Code of Ethics applies to students?
Ethical standards for preparatory department students, undergraduates and postgraduates.
Exercising their right to quality education, preparatory department students, undergraduates and postgraduates are aware of their moral and ethical obligations to adhere to the rules of academic integrity, in particular:
– in education:
- adhere to the principles of honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility;
- uphold the values of academic integrity and adhere to its rules in all activities within and outside the university;
– in personal behaviour:
- adhere to ethical standards of communication and cooperation within and outside the university;
- be aware of the inadmissibility of publicly commenting on the private lives or personal qualities of students, teachers and other members of the university community.
5) Who will review compliance with the Code of Ethics?
This will be handled by the Ethics Committee, which will consist of nine members: three representatives of the teaching staff and researchers, two representatives of students, one representative of postgraduate and doctoral students, one representative of the administration, and two representatives of the teaching support staff.
The composition of the Commission shall be approved by the Academic Council of the University. Student representatives shall be elected from among willing students at a meeting of the University Student Parliament by direct secret ballot.
In accordance with the Code of Ethics, the conclusions of the Ethics Committee are advisory in nature and the management of the University or its subdivision may take them into account when making decisions regarding violators of the Code of Ethics.
6) Will violations of the Code of Ethics be penalised?
Contrary to existing stereotypes, violations of the Code of Ethics cannot lead to expulsion.
According to the Law of Ukraine ‘On Higher Education’ (Article 46), the grounds for expulsion of a higher education applicant are:
- completion of studies under the relevant educational (scientific) programme;
- personal desire;
- transfer to another educational institution;
- failure to comply with the individual study plan;
- breach of the terms of the agreement (contract) concluded between the higher education institution and the student or the natural (legal) person paying for such education;
At the same time, violations of academic integrity standards by higher education applicants may result in liability.
7) What is academic integrity and how can it be violated?
Academic integrity is a set of ethical principles and legally defined rules that participants in the educational process must follow during learning, teaching and conducting scientific (creative) activities in order to ensure trust in the results of learning and/or scientific (creative) achievements.
Violations of academic integrity include academic plagiarism, self-plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, cheating, deception, bribery, and biased assessment.
8) What could be the consequences for students who violate academic integrity standards?
In accordance with Article 42 of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Education’, students may be subject to the following academic penalties for violations of academic integrity:
- retaking an assessment (test, exam, credit, etc.);
- retaking the relevant educational component of the educational programme;
- expulsion from the educational institution;
- deprivation of academic scholarship;
- deprivation of tuition fee benefits provided by the educational institution.
9) Does the Code of Ethics restrict the right to express one’s opinion, particularly on the Internet, social networks and messengers?
No, because the Code of Ethics prohibits public commentary on the private lives or personal qualities of students, teachers, and other members of the university community, which does not negate freedom of speech and the right to express one’s opinion (for example, public commentary on the professional qualities of members of the university community).
10) How can students use the Code to protect their rights?
In the event of a violation of ethical standards and rules of academic integrity by University faculty and staff with regard to students, each student shall have the right to appeal to the Ethics Committee with a guarantee that each conflict situation will be considered.
Ethics Committee of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Physical, Technical and Computer Sciences
- Zenkov Klavdiya Yurievna (chair of the commission) – deputy director for international relations and educational work (k.zenkova@chnu.edu.ua)
- Yakovleva Inna Dmitrievna – associate professor of the Department of Computer Systems and Networks (i.yakovleva@chnu.edu.ua)
- Horodynska Nina Vasylivna – Assistant at the Department of Correlation Optics (0668230931)
- Voytsekhivska Oksana Mykolayivna – Associate Professor at the Department of Theoretical Physics and Computer Modelling (o.voitsekhivska@chnu.edu.ua)
- Dmytro Petrovych Kozyarskyi – Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and Energy (d.koziarskyi@chnu.edu.ua)
- Oleksandr Oleksandrovych Adamovych – Student, Head of the Institute Student Parliament (adamovych.oleksandr@chnu.edu.ua)
- Ivan Serhiyovych Obradovych – student, chair of the institute’s student trade union (obradovych.ivan@chnu.edu.ua)
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
SURVEY ‘Teachers through the eyes of students’
Methodological Guidelines
USEFUL LINKS
FREE ACADEMIC ANTI-PLAGIARISM SYSTEMS FOR STUDENTS
