Anti-Plagiarism Policy

GEA University of San Marco – Anti-Plagiarism Policy


1. Policy Statement

GEA University of San Marco is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism, in any form, is strictly prohibited to students and considered a serious violation of institutional policy.  

2. Academic integrity

Academic integrity is central to our mission of cultivating knowledge, character, and values. Plagiarism undermines learning, disrespects intellectual property, and contradicts ethical principles of honesty and stewardship. Students are expected to embody truthfulness in all academic endeavors.

3. Definition of Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as presenting the ideas, words, or work of another as one’s own without proper acknowledgment. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Direct plagiarism: Copying text verbatim without citation.
  • Paraphrased plagiarism: Rewriting another’s ideas in one’s own words without proper attribution.
  • Self-plagiarism: Submitting the same work for multiple assignments without authorization.
  • Patchwriting: Piecing together content from multiple sources with slight modifications and without proper citations.
  • Improper citation: Failing to credit sources accurately or completely or fabricating citations.
  • Contract cheating: Submitting work completed wholly or in part by someone else, including paid or AI-generated content without instructor approval.

4. Acceptable Use of Sources

All academic work must include proper citation using the formatting style required by the instructor (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian). Students are encouraged to:

  • Use quotation marks for direct quotes.
  • Provide full references in bibliographies or works cited pages.
  • Clearly distinguish personal insights from sourced material.

5. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools

The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT or similar technologies) is permitted to students only when explicitly approved by the course instructor. Any AI assistance must be clearly acknowledged. Unauthorized use of AI-generated content will be treated as plagiarism. Read here the rules on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) 

6. Student Responsibilities

Students must:

  • Submit original work for all assignments and assessments.
  • Properly cite all sources using the required citation style.
  • Ask instructors for clarification when in doubt about citation or collaboration.

7. Faculty Responsibilities

Faculty are responsible for:

  • Clearly stating academic integrity expectations in course materials.
  • Educating students on proper citation practices.
  • Reporting suspected cases of plagiarism to the appropriate academic authority.

8. Disciplinary Actions

Plagiarism violations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Sanctions may include:

  • First offense: Written warning, mandatory academic integrity training, or assignment resubmission with penalties.
  • Second offense: Course failure and academic probation.
  • Third offense: Suspension or dismissal from the university.

9. Appeals Process

Students have the right to appeal any plagiarism-related sanction by submitting a written appeal to the Academic Integrity Committee within 10 business days of notification.

10. Students Accountability

Students are responsible for upholding academic honesty and fostering a culture of truth, humility, and mutual respect in all scholarly work.

11. Educational Commitment

Students are required to complete an Academic Integrity Module during orientation and are encouraged to utilize available writing and research resources throughout their studies.