We take the Honor Code, as stated in the George Mason University Undergraduate Catalog, very seriously in the New Century community of learners. It is your responsibility to study it carefully and ask your professors for further explanation of any part you do not understand. University faculty have an obligation to refer the names of students who may have violated the Honor Code to the Student Honor Committee, which treats such cases very seriously. Two issues that are important to understand are: plagiarism and how to avoid it and appropriate collaboration, both of which are explained in more detail below. 

PLAGIARISM:

Plagiarism means using ideas, opinions, factual information, or language from some one without giving that person appropriate credit. Plagiarism is fraud. Plagiarism is intellectual robbery. Student writers are sometimes confused as to what should be cited. In addition to direct quotations, paraphrases and summaries of opinions of factual information not formerly known to the writer must also be cited. The exception to this rule is information termed general knowledge-in other words, information that is widely known and stated in a number of sources. Determining what is general; knowledge can be complicated, so it is wise to remember the adage, "When in doubt, cite." 

In academic work, credit should generally be given in an appropriate format, for example, the systems created by the Modern Language Association (MLA) or the American Psychological Association (APA). Both of these systems of documentation are explained in various textbooks, including A Writer's Reference by Diana Hacker and College Guide to the Web by Lester Faigley (NCLC 110 texts). 

Occasionally, in writing, assignments such as log entries, professors may permit informal citation. Please check with your seminar leader. In addition, in class and seminar discussion, it is important to acknowledge the source of ideas you've acquired from others. A good rule to remember is to give credit where credit is due. Using someone else's words or ideas without giving them credit is plagiarism and is a very serious offense. It is very important to understand how to prevent committing plagiarism when using material from a source. If you wish to quote verbatim, you must use the exact words and punctuation of the original and you must include quotation marks and page numbers in your citation. If you want to paraphrase ideas from a source, you must do a thorough job of putting the ideas into your own language and you must cite the source, using either the APA or MLA format. 

(Some components were adapted from the English Department's definition of plagiarism.) 

APPROPRIATE COLLABORATION:

Please review these guidelines for collaborative work. 

In a community such as New Century College, academic integrity is very important. In NCLC 110, in other learning communities, and in many other classes, some projects are designed to be completed by a study group. With collaborative work, names of all the participants should appear on the work. If a group member does not participate; in completing the project, her or his name should not appear on the project. Other assignments are designed to be completed independently. In this case, you may discuss your ideas with others and receive feedback from peers on drafts of papers. However, it is not appropriate to turn your paper over to someone else to finish or to revise for you. You are responsible for making certain there is no question the work you turn inis your own. If your name appears on an assignment, your professor has the right to expect that you have done the work yourself, fully and independently. Three fundamental principles to follow at all times are: (1) all work submitted with your name must be your own; (2) when using the work or ideas of others, including your fellow students, you must give appropriate credit; (3) if you are uncertain about the ground rules on a particular assignment, ask for clarification. No grade is important enough to justify cheating, for which there is a serious consequence. If you feel unusual pressure or anxiety about your grade in this or any other course, please talk with your professor or a member of the Counseling Center staff. The University provides a range of services to help with test anxiety, writing skills, study skills, and related concerns.