For the sake of this policy, plagiarism is defined as “submitting an author’s published or unpublished work (e.g., material from a journal, Internet site, newspaper or encyclopedia) as one’s own in whole, in part or in paraphrase without fully and properly crediting the author.”

Writers must always credit information found in a source is used, unless it is common knowledge. We credit sources using hyperlinks and in-text attributions as included in our style guide. Sources must be thoroughly checked for credibility, misinformation, bias and misleading information.

Always give a source for:

• Quotations
• Paraphrased/summarized information
• Facts that are not common knowledge
• Ideas, including opinions and thoughts about what particular facts mean
• Maps, charts, graphs, data and other visual or statistical information

Plagiarized work will be publicly retracted. Any staffer or contributor who plagiarizes will be subject to the following disciplinary action:

1. Immediate termination from The Mass Media, without eligibility for rehire at any Student Media organization.
2. Adjudication and punishment from the Dean of Students’ office.