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What do you need to know?
Plagiarism is when you use someone else's work without giving proper credit . Sometimes it is because you were a little careless when you wrote your paper, and forgot to use quotes, or forgot to put someone's citation in your bibliography. When you do this, for whatever reason,it is considered a failure to cite adequately.
Saint Leo University has a strong academic honesty policy. Students are expected to be honest in every phase of their academic life and to present as their own work only that which is genuinely theirs. If you get sloppy with your work, you can expect to get caught, and to have consequences.
Copyright infringement is using someone else's creative work, (music, artwork, movies,photographs, etc., without authorization or compensation, if compensation is appropriate.
What is the difference?
The courts, authors, artists, and music industry are interested in enforcing copyright infringement.
Saint Leo University enforces our academic honesty code. We believe in the value of
Integrity – the commitment of Saint Leo University to excellence demands that its members live its mission and deliver on its promise. The faculty, staff, and students pledge to be honest, just, and consistent in word and deed. Saint Leo University believes in the value of intellectual property.
Can you rewrite someone else's work and submit it as your own? Not really - it was still their idea, their thoughts. Changing a few words does not make the idea yours. You should still use direct quotes for words you don't change, and give credit if you use the thought, but not the actual words.
If you do not properly cite where you got the information from, your professor might still decide that you are guilty of plagiarism. So instead of paraphrasing that article or website and calling it your own, try learning enough about the topic so that you have some thoughts of your won, and you use the article or website to support your opinion or thoughts... when you can do that, you are well on your way to "graduating" and becoming a scholar.
Internet Usage Policies
University owned or operated computing resources are provided for use to faculty, students, staff, and authorized associates of Saint Leo University. All faculty, students, staff, and associates are responsible for use of Saint Leo University computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner. The following guidelines relate to the use of these computing resources:
1. Accounts are owned by the University, and are to be used for University-related activities. All access to computer systems managed by the Office of Information Technology, including the issuing of passwords, must have prior approval by the president, vice president, dean, department chair or an authorized representative of Saint Leo University. The appropriate Dean or Department Chair must approve access to University and Departmental computer systems. Approvals vary depending upon the division or unit.
2. Computing resources and accounts are to be used only for the purpose for which they were assigned, and are not to be used for commercial purposes or non-University related activities. The continued use of an account after the student enrollment or faculty/staff/associate employment ends is considered a non-University related activity.
3. Individuals must not use an account assigned to another individual, including student accounts, without written permission from either the Office of Information Technology or division that granted the account. Faculty, students, staff, and associates are individually responsible for the proper use of their accounts, including proper password protection and appropriate use of Internet resources. Allowing friends, or non-authorized individuals to use accounts, either locally or through the Internet, is a violation of these guidelines. It is recommended that account holder change the account password at least once per semester.
4. Data-files are confidential. Computing Services or Departmental staff may access others files when necessary for the maintenance of University records, computing systems, or during investigation of unauthorized knowledge of a password to damage any computing systems, obtain extra computing resources, take resources from another user, gain access to computing systems, or use computing systems for which proper authorization has not been given either on University Campus or off University Campus.
5. University computing resources may not be used to intimidate or create an atmosphere of harassment based upon gender, race,religion, ethnic origin, creed, or sexual orientation. Fraudulent, threatening, or obscene e-mail or graphical displays used to harass or intimidate others are prohibited. Chain letters, mass mailings, and repeated sending of e-mail after being requested to stop are also examples of inappropriate uses of University electronic communications resources. User will abide by applicable federal and state laws.
6. No one should deliberately attempt to degrade the performance of a computer system including network resources, or to deprive authorized users of resources or access to any University computer system.
7. It is a violation of these guidelines to use unauthorized knowledge of a password to damage any computing systems, obtain extra computing resources, take resources from another user, gain access to computing systems,or use computing systems for which proper authorization has not been given either on University Campus or off University Campus.
8. Software use must conform to copyright laws and licensing agreements.
9. For the protection of all Saint Leo University computer users, an individual’s computer use privileges may be suspended or restricted immediately upon the discovery of a possible violation of these guidelines or other University Campus policies. Whenever possible, users whose computer access has been restricted or suspended will be notified of the restrictions and the means for resolving the matter. Individuals who violate these guidelines will be subject to sanctions as outlined in the University’s Employee Handbook, Student Handbook or academic honor code. All such cases will be forwarded to the appropriate officer of the University for action.