The Saints Community Standards states that,

"As members of the Thomas More community, students can expect reasonable actions will be taken to ensure that their experience is free from behaviors that compromise this commitment. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to: cheating; plagiarism; forgery; deliberate deception; falsifying information; alteration or misuse of any official document; record or instrument of identification; abuse of technology; computing resources; and/or other conduct that betrays or diminishes trust amongst members of this community or break this honor code."

“Ultimately, we at Thomas More University have committed ourselves to the integrity, concern for justice, and service to others for which our Spiritual Patron and namesake - Saint Thomas More - is so justly renowned.” – (Thomas More University Vision Statement)

Plagiarism is not uncommon, and instructors have a number of methods to catch students who do it. Knowing exactly what it is and how to avoid it can prevent you from plagiarizing intentionally or unintentionally.

Defining Plagiarism

Watch this 3.5 minute video from Scribbr that defines various types of plagiarism:

What happens if I plagiarize?

The Thomas More Academic Catalog lays out the following consequences regarding plagiarism:

Academic dishonesty (which includes plagiarism and cheating) is a form of theft. It is inconsistent with the moral character expected of students in a university committed to the spiritual and intellectual growth of the whole person. It also subverts the academic process by distorting all measurement. It is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly.

Sanctions

a. For the first offense (administered by the instructor): Minimum penalty: Grade of 0 or F for the examination, quiz or paper affected without opportunity to make it up. Maximum penalty: Grade of F for the course affected and academic probation as determined by the Provost.

b. For all subsequent offenses (administered by the Provost and the Student Conduct Council): Minimum penalty: Suspension from the University with loss of all credit for the semester and a grade of F for the course(s) affected. Instructors will be requested to submit a W or an F grade for each of the other courses taken that semester. Maximum penalty: Academic dismissal from the University with loss of all credit for the semester, without opportunity to reapply.

Procedures

An instructor who has evidence that a student has committed an offense against the University’s Policy on Academic Honesty may confront the student with the allegation in a confidential and private interview within 48 hours of having detected the alleged offense. The instructor will, at that time, describe the circumstances of the allegation, remind the student of the University Policy on Academic Honesty, and allow the student to state his/her response to the allegation. No allegation of dishonesty may be made after the degree being pursued has been conferred. If the student admits to having committed the offense, the professor will apprise the student of the sanction to be imposed. To avoid later complications, a record of the offense, a statement of the admission and the sanction will be recorded on the Academic Violation Form. The instructor and the student will sign the form. A copy of the form will be given to the student and a copy will be submitted by the instructor to the Provost to be preserved in their office. The instructor shall impose the sanction. The Provost may impose a more severe sanction if investigation reveals a prior offense. A record of the event will become a part of the student's record in the Office of the Provost.

In Summary

Plagiarism is a serious offence, but you can take steps to avoid it if you (1) know what plagiarism is, (2) do your own work, and (3) properly give credit to your sources. Please remember you can always ask your professor(s) if you have questions or have concerns.

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