Statement on Plagiarism

Being a member of an academic community means taking responsibility for one’s action as a student, thinker and writer. Academic freedom is a fundamental right in any institution of higher learning. Honesty and integrity are essential aspects of this freedom. Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Students must assume responsibility for maintaining honesty in all their work.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is passing off a source’s information, ideas, or words as your own by omitting to cite them.  Plagiarus means kidnapper, in Latin, because in antiquity plagiarii were pirates who sometimes stole children: when you plagiarize you, in effect, steal the brainchild of another. Further, because you also claim that it’s your own brainchild, and use it to get credit for work you haven’t really done, you also lie and cheat. You cheat your source of fair recognition for his or her efforts, and you cheat the students who have completed the same assignment without plagiarizing. 

Plagiarism can occur on any kind of assignment, from a two-page response paper to a 20-page research paper. More common than wholesale copying, especially in longer papers, is piecemeal or mosaic plagiarism, in which a student mixes words or ideas of a source (unacknowledged) in with his or her own words and ideas.

Students who have questions about the proper use and citation of sources, or the details and guidelines for any assignment, should discuss their questions with their instructor.