Plagiarism

Plagiarism — The attempt to represent the work of another, as it may relate to written or oral works, computer-based work, mode of creative expression (i.e. music, media or the visual arts), as the product of one's own thought, whether the other's work is published or unpublished, or simply the work of a fellow student.

When a student submits oral or written work for credit that includes the words, ideas, or data of others, the source of that information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through use of quotation marks as well. By placing one’s name on work submitted for credit, the student certifies the originality of all work not otherwise identified by appropriate acknowledgements. A student will avoid being charged with plagiarism if there is an acknowledgement of indebtedness. Examples include:

1. Quoting another person's actual words.
2. Using another person's idea, opinion, or theory, even if it is completely paraphrased in one's own words.
3. Drawing upon facts, statistics, or other illustrative materials — unless the information is common knowledge.
4. Submitting a paper purchased from a term paper service as one's own work.
5. Failing to accurately document information or wording obtained on the World Wide Web.
6. Submitting anyone else's paper as one's own work.
7. Violating federal copyright laws, including unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of copyrighted material.
8. Offering, giving, receiving or soliciting of any materials, items or services of value to gain academic advantages for yourself or another.

More on Plagiarism (including examples), published with permission from Jack Gartner, SP/G Natural Science department.

Bribery

Bribery — The offering, giving, receiving or soliciting of any materials, items or services of value to gain academic advantage for yourself or another.

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation — Any act or omission with intent to deceive an instructor for academic advantage. Misrepresentation includes using computer programs generated by another and handing it in as your own work unless expressly allowed by the instructor; lying to an instructor to increase your grade; and lying or misrepresenting facts when confronted with an allegation of academic dishonesty.

Conspiracy

Conspiracy — The planning or acting with one or more persons to commit any form of academic dishonesty to gain academic advantage for yourself of another.

Fabrication

Fabrication — The use of invented or fabricated information, or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive for academic professional advantage; also the falsification or misrepresentation of experimental data, and violating the professional ethics that obtain in clinical activities, science labs, research projects or internships. Examples include:

1. Citing information not taken from the source indicated.
2. Listing sources in a Works Cited or reference not used in the academic exercise.
3. Inventing data or source information for research or other academic exercise.
4. Submitting any academic exercise as one's own (e.g. written or oral work, sculpture, computer program, etc.) prepared totally or in part by another, including on-line sources.
5. Taking a test for someone else or permitting someone else to take a test for you.

Collusion

Collusion — The act of working with another person on an academic undertaking for which a student is individually responsible. Unless working together on an individual assignment has been prior approved, it is not allowed. On group projects you must stay within the guidelines set by the instructor and this rule. If the instructor provides additional guidelines they must be followed. Failure to do so also constitutes a violation of these policies and rule.

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct — The intentional violation of college policies by tampering with grades or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of a test, quiz, or graded assignment. Examples include:

1. Stealing, buying, downloading, or otherwise obtaining all or part of a test and/or test answers.
2. Selling or giving away all or part of an unadministered test and/or test answers.
3. Asking or bribing any other person to obtain a test or any information about a test.
4. Misrepresenting the truth, including handing in computer programs or using computer programs generated by another as one's own work; lying to an instructor to increase a grade; and lying or misrepresenting facts when confronted with an allegation of academic dishonesty.
5. Changing, altering, or being an accessory to changing and/or altering of a grade in a grade book, on a computer, on a test, on a "change of grade" form, or on other official academic records of the college which relate to grades.
6. Continuing to work on an examination or project after the specified time has elapsed.

Improper Computer/Calculator Use

Examples of improper computer and/or calculator use include (but are not limited to):

1. Unauthorized access, modification, use, creation or destruction of calculator-stored or computer-stored data and programs.
2. Selling or giving away all or part of the information on a calculator, computer disk or hard drive, which will be used as graded material.
   NOTE TO STUDENTS: Never save information on the hard drive of a SPC computer.
3. Sharing a calculator or computer while leaving answers on display or in memory.
4. Submitting a duplicate computer printout with only the student's name changed. This applies to homework and tests.

Improper Online, TeleWeb and Blended Course Use

Examples of improper online, TeleWeb and blended course use include:

1. Having or providing unauthorized outside help when completing online quizzes or assignments.
2. Obtaining access to confidential test materials or questions before quizzes or assignments.

1. Prepare thoroughly for tests and assignments.
2. Take the initiative to prevent others from copying tests and assignments (e.g. shield the answer sheet during tests). Do not lend assignments to other students.
3. Check the course syllabus for additional guidelines regarding academic honesty in a particular course. Ask the instructor what the expectations are.
4. Avoid looking in the direction of other students' papers during tests.
5. Use a recognized handbook or visit the campus's website: http://www.spcollege.edu/central/libonline for instruction on citing source materials in papers. Consult with the instructor or program director when in doubt.
6. Use the tutoring services of the Information Commons.
7. Encourage honesty among other students.
8. Refuse to help students who cheat.
9. Avoid talking to other students during tests.