Academic dishonesty, in or out of the classroom, is antithetical to the College's institutional values and constitutes a violation of the Academic Honor Code. The Academic Honor Code plays a central role in the intellectual life at Bowdoin College. Students and faculty are obligated to ensure its success. Since 1964, with revisions in 1977 and 1993, the community pledge of personal academic integrity has formed the basis for academic conduct. The institution assumes that all Bowdoin students possess the attributes implied by intellectual honesty.
Every student is asked to sign a pledge to adhere to the Honor Code at matriculation.
Individuals who suspect violations of the Academic Honor Code should not attempt to resolve the issues independently, but are encouraged to refer their concerns to the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Faculty members with questions about the interpretation and application of the Academic Honor Code should consult with the Dean of Student Affairs. The following sections describe activities that constitute breaches of the Academic Honor Code. A number of Bowdoin College courses employ various kinds of collaborative assignments in several different situations, including homework, laboratory reports, and in-class assignments. When preparing such course work, students should follow the individual instructor's policy on collaboration.