2005-06 - Office of the Registrar - Duke University

The Duke Community Standard
Duke University is a community of scholars and learners, committed to the principles
of honesty, trustworthiness, fairness, and respect for others. Students share with faculty
and staff the responsibility for promoting a climate of integrity. As citizens of this
community, students are expected to adhere to these fundamental values at all times, in
both their academic and non-academic endeavors.
The Pledge. Students affirm their commitment to uphold the values of the Duke
Univeristy community by signing a pledge that states:
1. I will not lie, cheat, or steal in my academic endeavors, nor will I accept the
actions of those who do.
2. I will conduct myself responsibly and honorably in all my activities as a Duke
student.
Duke University Graduate School expects and will require of all its students
cooperation in developing and maintaining high standards of scholarship and conduct.
Students are expected to meet academic requirements and financial obligations, as
specified elsewhere in this bulletin, in order to remain in good standing. Certain
nonacademic rules and regulations must be observed also. Failure to meet these
requirements may result in summary dismissal by the appropriate officer of the university.
The university wishes to emphasize its policy that all students are subject to the rules
and regulations of the university currently in effect or which, from time to time, are put
into effect by the appropriate authorities of the university. Students, in accepting
admission, indicate their willingness to subscribe to and be governed by these rules and
regulations and acknowledge the right of the university to take such disciplinary action,
including suspension and/or expulsion, as may be deemed appropriate for failure to abide
by such rules and regulations or for conduct adjudged unsatisfactory or detrimental to the
university.
Duke University, as a community of scholars, strongly relies upon the standard of
academic integrity. Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty represent a
corruption of this integrity and, as such, cannot be tolerated within the community.
Ignorance of what constitutes academic dishonesty is no excuse for actions which violate
the integrity of the community. In a community which builds on the notion of academic
integrity, the threat of academic dishonesty represents an intolerable risk. Students unsure
about the university definition of plagiarism may wish to consult the Bulletin of Duke
University: Information and Regulations (especially the chapter on “Academic Honesty”).
DUKE UNIVERSITY HARASSMENT POLICY
I. Duke University is committed to protecting the academic freedom and freedom of
expression of all members of the university community. This policy against
harassment shall be applied in a manner that protects the academic freedom and
freedom of expression of all parties to a complaint. Academic freedom and freedom
of expression include but are not limited to the expression of ideas, however
controversial, in the classroom, residence hall, and, in keeping with different
responsibilities, in workplaces elsewhere in the university community.
II. Definition of harassment at Duke University:
A. Harassment is the creation of a hostile or intimidating environment, in which
verbal or physical conduct, because of its severity and/or persistence, is likely
to interfere significantly with an individual’s work or education, or affect
adversely an individual’s living conditions.
B. Sexual coercion is a form of harassment with specific distinguishing
characteristics. It consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:
1. submission to such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a term or
Standards of Conduct 59