Dear Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to introduce the Texas Statement on Academic Integrity, a visionary statement on the importance of academic freedom and its responsible exercise in teaching at The University of Texas at Austin.

The Faculty Working Group on Academic Integrity — established last month and comprised of esteemed faculty leaders from a wide range of academic units — worked tirelessly and collaboratively to develop a statement that defines our character as a flagship university and affirms our duty to teach with academic honesty. In their insightful words, “academic integrity forges a solemn trust between the instructor and the students, and between the University and the state and nation. It is that trust that we reaffirm here. And it is that trust that will continue to ensure that what starts here changes the world.”

I am very grateful to the Working Group members for their time, expertise, and thoughtful participation. I encourage all of you to read the Texas Statement on Academic Integrity. It sets a worthy standard for all of us and articulates a commitment that will benefit our students for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Jim Davis
President