Plagiarism is the act of using another person's words or ideas as if they were one's own words or ideas. Plagiarism is frowned upon by society because the act not only affects the victim, but also the culprit in more ways than one. The culprit will lose their code of conduct and their trust. Plagiarism affects the rules defining an individual's rights and responsibilities, including codes of ethics, honor, and morals, as well as halachic and religious laws. To ensure that plagiarism will not be 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, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining of the work of another, and the submission or unrecognized incorporation of this work as his own offered for credit. Appropriation includes quoting or paraphrasing the work of another without giving credit,” according to the Texas Christian University student handbook. To summarize this, Texas Christian University considers plagiarism to be the use of another's work without non-acknowledgement to obtain credit. Texas Christian University Student Policies and Procedures state that "Each student shall be fully aware of all published policies, rules, and regulations of the University and will be held responsible for compliance with them." Texas Christian University Policies University plagiarism and cheating cases result in some form of discipline, such as grade reductions or even expulsion from the class or even campus. What to do in cases of plagiarism is the responsibility of the professor and staff. .... middle of paper ......ty of Central Oklahoma. University of Central Oklahoma Chambers Library, February 14, 2014. Web March 6, 2014. "UCO Federal Copyright Laws." : Central Office of Information Technology. UCO Office of Student Affairs, 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 | OR. E 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. “Merriam-Webster.” -Webster, nd Web. March 6, 2014. “TCU Official Student Handbook 2013-2014.” TCU Student Affairs, November 1, 2013. Web.. 2014.