Valparaiso University Honor System
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Tips and Quick Information for Valparaiso Students

Tips

  1. Don't cheat!
  2. If you don't understand whether or not something is unauthorized aid, ask your professor. Never ever assume.
  3. Realize that your professors are smart! Not only have they been where you are, but they have also spent more years in school. If you turn in something that is not your work, they will know.
  4. Make sure that you cite everything that is not your own work. If you copy and paste from something, there should be quotes around it.
  5. Don't make citations a last priority. Write them as you use them!
  6. If you are working with other people, be careful that they don't do something that could jeopardize your academics.
  7. Be careful to not make yourself look like you are cheating when you are not.

Many times it's hard to know what is plagiarism and what's not. Georgetown University's Honor Council provides an excellent article on plagiarism that we encourage you to read. Afterwards, skim your work and see if you're giving proper credit where it's due. Preventing plagiarism is easy and citing sources isn't as difficult as you think, plus it just makes sense to give the originator of an idea the credit.

What does 'plagiarism' mean?

  • plagiarize – “To use and pass off (the ideas or writings of another) as one's own.” (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition)

How do you prevent plagiarizing?

  • Give credit to the source by using citations!
  • Your professors should teach you how to use the format of citations they want you to use. If you don't know, ask!
  • You can also get help at the Writing Center in the first floor of the Christopher Center.

Quick Overview of Honor System Principles

We can break the Honor Code down into three parts:

  • I have not given unauthorized aid.
  • I have not received unauthorized aid.
  • I have not tolerated others’ use of unauthorized aid.

What does this mean?

  • You agree to do your own work: to present original ideas, sentences and phrases, and when you include thoughts, argument structure and words from other people, to give them proper credit. You agree not to give unauthorized aid to other people and not to tolerate such aid by anybody at Valparaiso University.

What are the benefits of this system?

  • When a test is given, your professor will leave the room. Your tests will never be proctored (unless a student in the class requests it).
  • You may receive take-home tests with instructions explaining what you can and cannot use to take them.
  • In short, you will be treated as adults mature enough to make your own decisions and uphold your own honesty and integrity.

Resources

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