Plagiarism is the act of using another person's words or ideas as if they were your own words or ideas. Plagiarism is frowned upon by society because the act not only affects the victim but also the perpetrator in more ways than one. The perpetrator will lose their code of conduct and trust. Plagiarism affects the rules that outline an individual's rights and responsibilities, including codes of ethics, honor, and morals, as well as halachic and religious laws. To ensure that plagiarism is not tolerated, almost all institutions incorporate academic integrity. In this research paper I will describe three universities' principles on academic integrity and the consequences of plagiarism. Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, defines plagiarism as "the appropriation, theft, purchase, or obtaining by any means of the work of another, and the unacknowledged presentation or incorporation of that operates as one's own offering for credit Appropriation includes quoting or paraphrasing the work of another without giving credit,” according to the Texas Christian University student handbook. To summarize, Texas Christian University considers using the work of another without acknowledging it to obtain credit plagiarism. Texas Christian University's student policies and procedures state that "Each student is expected to be fully familiar with all posted policies, rules and regulations of the University and will be held responsible for complying with them." Texas Christian University's policies on plagiarism and cheating result in some form of discipline, such as grade reduction or even expulsion from class or even campus. The course of action for plagiarism misconduct rests with the professor and staff of...... middle of paper ......ty of Central Oklahoma. University of Central Oklahoma Chambers Library, February 14, 2014. Web. March 6, 2014. “Federal Copyright Laws.” UCO: Central Office for Information Technology. UCO Student Affairs Office, November 29, 2012. Web. March 13, 2014.Harrison, Ammie E. "Copyright and Plagiarism | TCU Library." Copyright and plagiarism | TCU Library. TCU Library, January 23, 2013. Web. March 6, 2014."Nine Things You Should Already Know About Plagiarism." Academic Integrity | UO. AND Office of the Provost, Office of Academic Integrity Programs, and Integrity Council, with special thanks to the First-Year Composition Program, Department of English, September 28, 2010. Web. March 6, 2014."Plagiarism." Merriam Webster. Merriam-Webster and Web. March 6, 2014. "Official TCU Student Handbook 2013-2014." Texas Christian University. TCU Student Affairs, November 1, 2013. Web. March 6. 2014.