INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD

Plagiarism is the deliberate use or copying of written work without giving full credit to the original author for their contribution. Plagiarism is not tolerated under any circumstances. The university expects all students to paraphrase or write in their own words and to properly cite all sources using in-text citations and matching references.

For full details on how plagiarism is reviewed and addressed, including academic consequences, please refer to the Westcliff University Academic Integrity Policy in the Student Handbook (pp. 63–64). This is the official and most up-to-date source for all procedures related to academic misconduct.

If you have any questions about plagiarism or how to avoid it, please contact your Program Chair, who serves as the primary point of contact for academic integrity concerns and next steps.

AI-writing indicators are interpreted by the professor in the context of the assignment, the submitted work, and the student’s writing process. Questions about how a result may affect an assignment or grade should therefore be directed to the professor.

The Writing Center (WC) and Doctoral Writing Center (DWC) can help students strengthen their writing and revise language that may appear generic or AI-like. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) can help students better understand the University’s AI policy and develop responsible AI-use practices.

This is common and not a cause for concern. The title page may be flagged because it contains repeated information such as your name, instructor’s name, course title, and date—details that appear in many student submissions. The reference page is also frequently flagged because the citations themselves (author names, titles, and publication details) are identical to those that appear in other students’ papers or in published databases indexed by Turnitin. These matches reflect shared source information, not plagiarism. When reviewing a Turnitin report, students should focus on matches within the body of the paper, where their original writing and source integration appear.

The AI percentage estimates how much of your content may have been generated by artificial intelligence. The similarity percentage shows how much of your content matches previously published sources. These are two separate metrics. If AI percentage is less than 20%, then the Turnitin score will display as “*%”.

No. The similarity score students see in their Turnitin reports does not include AI-detected content. The similarity score only measures matched content from previously published sources.

No. Only professors can view the AI score.

No. Only professors can view the AI score.

Students have two options:

• After submission in GAP: Students can ask their professor to share or review the full Turnitin report with them.
• Before submission in GAP: The Writing Center can run drafts through Turnitin for internal review as part of a feedback session; however, the AI scan results are not shared directly with students. Students can work with the Writing Center (WC) or Doctoral Writing Center (DWC) to strengthen their writing skills and address writing patterns that may appear AI-like. For more detailed guidance on the University’s expectations and how to use AI tools responsibly, students should consult the Academic Resource Center (ARC).

The policy refers to all forms of artificial intelligence tools, not just ChatGPT. This includes paraphrasing tools, AI-based writing assistants, translation software, and similar technologies. For more information, please review Westcliff’s Policy on the Use of AI and Academic Integrity.

To avoid high AI percentages, students should give clear instructions to the AI tool not to rewrite their text. For example if you have trouble with grammar, you might copy a sentence or paragraph into your AI tool, then type:

1. Identify the grammatical errors in the passage.
2. Explain why they are wrong.
3. Explain how to correct them.
4. DO NOT rewrite the passage.

Please review this guide for more information on how to use AI responsibly.

In-text citations and references for ChatGPT must follow APA 7th edition, as shown below:

How to cite ChatGPT – APA Style

Yes, when these tools are used to review work the student has already completed—not to produce the work for the student. For example, students may use Grammarly to identify possible errors in their own writing and Google Translate to check a translation they completed themselves.

Students must not use Grammarly to generate or rewrite their work, or use Google Translate to create a translation in place of translating the material themselves. Students remain responsible for making their own revisions and ensuring the final work reflects their own language, ideas, and understanding.

When unsure, students are encouraged to ask their professor, the ARC, or the DWC/WC for guidance. See Guidelines for Grammarly Use

At Westcliff, an AI percentage of 20% or less is generally considered within the acceptable range. However, this number should not be treated as a target to “stay under.” The true goal is academic integrity—producing original work that reflects your own learning and critical thinking. AI tools should be used only for limited support (such as brainstorming ideas, organizing outlines, or clarifying grammar), not for generating or rewriting substantive content. Ultimately, your professor determines whether AI use in your work aligns with course expectations and the university’s AI policy.

Students should first contact their professor to discuss the result and review the Turnitin report. They should be prepared to explain their writing process, including how they developed their ideas, drafted the paper, and revised their work. Notes, drafts, version histories, and sources may also help demonstrate authorship.

The Writing Center (WC) and Doctoral Writing Center (DWC) can help students strengthen their writing skills, develop a more authentic academic voice, and address writing patterns that may appear AI-like. See Avoiding AI-Like Writing

For more detailed guidance on the University’s AI expectations, academic integrity, and responsible use of AI tools, students should consult the Academic Resource Center (ARC).

Examples of AI-like writing include:

• Formulaic sentences, transitions, or paragraph structures repeated throughout the paper.
• Repetition of ideas without meaningful analysis.
• Broad or overgeneralized claims that lack specific evidence, examples, or clear connections to course material or assignment guidelines.
• Inaccurate or fabricated sources, quotations, or citations.
• Sudden changes in voice, vocabulary, or understanding level that the student cannot explain.

Yes. Students should first contact their professor to discuss the Turnitin result and explain their writing and translation process.

The Writing Center (WC) and Doctoral Writing Center (DWC) can help students strengthen their English-language writing skills, improve clarity, and develop an academic voice that reflects their own ideas and understanding. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) can provide guidance on academic integrity, the University’s expectations, and the responsible use of translation and other AI-enabled tools.

Yes. All services provided by the Westcliff Center for Academic Success (WCAS), including the Academic Resource Center (ARC), Doctoral Writing Center (DWC), Writing Center (WC), and Library are completely free and available to all Westcliff University students.

The ARC and WC support all Westcliff University students, from undergraduate to doctoral level during foundational coursework. In addition, the Doctoral Writing Center is available to assist doctoral students with their coursework and dissertation-specific tasks.

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides one-on-one academic support to help students succeed in their courses. ARC Specialists can assist with course-specific content and assignment instructions, brainstorming, study strategies, time management, presentation preparation, responsible use of AI, and other academic skills. Support is based on the subject areas and availability of ARC Specialists.

ARC support is provided through real-time, one-on-one meetings with ARC Specialists.

Students can meet with ARC specialists in two ways:

• Online via Zoom
• In person at designated campus locations

On-campus availability depends on staffing and scheduling each session. Students may view available locations and appointment types directly through the ARC scheduling system (Accudemia) when booking an appointment.

Whether online or in person, students receive personalized academic support tailored to their course needs.

Students can schedule an ARC appointment through Accudemia. They can access Accudemia through the Academic Services section in GAP or through the Westcliff Okta Dashboard at my.westcliff.edu. Once in Accudemia, select Quick → New Appointment, choose the appropriate ARC service and subject area, and select an available date and time.

Yes. Students must schedule an appointment through Accudemia to receive online one-on-one support from an ARC Specialist.

On-campus walk-in support may also be available at designated campus locations based on ARC Specialist availability. Walk-in availability may vary by location and schedule.To view the current ARC availability, please log in to Accudemia.

Achieve Students are part of the Achieve Bridge Pathway Program, designed for students pursuing who enter Westcliff University with a GPA between 2.00–2.49 and/or with an out of field degree. Students who are not part of this program, should select “No” on the registration form. If you are unsure whether you are part of the program, you can reach out to your advisor for clarification.

Students who would like additional guidance with APA 7th-edition formatting can receive one-on-one assistance from the Academic Resource Center (ARC) or asynchronous assistance from the Writing Center (WC). Doctoral students may also request assistance with APA via live or asynchronous appointments with the Doctoral Writing Center (DWC). In addition, the Writing Center’s APA 7th-Edition Resources Page provides sample papers, detailed formatting guidelines, and other helpful materials to support you as you write and format your assignments.

The Westcliff University Writing Center provides individualized writing support for students at all levels and stages of the writing process. Whether you are brainstorming ideas, organizing your thoughts, or refining a final draft, Writing Center specialists can help you strengthen your writing skills and confidence. Students may submit drafts of essays, discussion posts, research papers, resumes, and other assignments for asynchronous written feedback, meaning you do not need to meet in real time. Specialists review each submission carefully and return it—typically within 24–48 hours —with detailed comments, suggestions for improvement, and guidance for future writing.

The Writing Center also supports more advanced projects, including dissertation chapters, doctoral research project (DRP) sections, and scholarly publications, through the Doctoral Writing Center. In addition, the Center partners with faculty to offer class workshops and presentations on topics such as APA formatting, academic integrity, and responsible AI use. Online resources—including writing guides, video tutorials, and sample papers—are available anytime through the Writing Center website. Whether you are working on a short reflection or a doctoral dissertation, the Writing Center can help you develop as a writer and communicate your ideas with clarity and confidence.

Students can access Writing Center support through Accudemia, available through the Academic Services section in GAP or through the Westcliff Okta Dashboard at my.westcliff.edu. The Center primarily provides asynchronous written feedback, allowing students to upload their work and receive comprehensive, individualized comments without scheduling a live meeting. After submission, a Writing Specialist reviews the draft—typically dedicating up to 45 minutes—and returns it with annotated feedback, targeted suggestions, and recommendations for continued improvement.

Doctoral students have the option to schedule a live session to discuss their writing in real time or an asynchronous review. The Writing Center additionally offers classroom visits and faculty-requested sessions, integrating writing support directly into select courses. Regardless of the format, the Center’s goal remains the same: to help students revise effectively, strengthen their writing skills, and develop as confident, independent writers.

The Writing Center (WC) and the Academic Resource Center (ARC) both support student success, but they serve distinct purposes.

The Writing Center focuses specifically on writing and communication skills. Writing Specialists provide detailed feedback on drafts, help students strengthen organization, clarity, and APA formatting, and offer guidance on topics such as academic tone, responsible AI use, and research writing. All students can request appointments for asynchronous review, while doctoral students have the option of both asynchronous and synchronous appointments for individualized writing support at any stage of the writing process.

The Academic Resource Center provides broader one-on-one academic support. ARC Specialists can assist with course-specific content and assignment instructions, brainstorming, study strategies, time management, presentation preparation, responsible AI use, and other academic skills. Support is based on the subject areas and availability of ARC Specialists.

In short, the Writing Center helps you become a stronger writer, while the ARC helps you strengthen overall academic performance and learning strategies. Both centers work collaboratively to ensure that students receive comprehensive support.