Integrity, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is "the quality of being honest and just and the state of being complete or whole" (Merriam- Webster). At Rutgers, this quality is expected of every student when it comes to their academics. All students must be honest with their studies and, in turn, honest with themselves, as well as with their professors and Piers. Lack of academic integrity will always result in some form of disciplinary action. At Rutgers, there are different levels of dishonesty towards academics, as well as different levels of disciplines. The levels of academic integrity violations are: “Plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, facilitation of dishonesty, academic sabotage, violation of research or professional ethics, violations involving potentially criminal activity” (Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy). Plagiarism is taking an idea and claiming it as one's own. A student or other academic plagiarizes [using] another person's words, ideas, or findings without giving that person appropriate credit. Avoid plagiarism be identified by quotation marks or appropriate indentation, and both the direct quote and paraphrase must be properly cited according to the accepted format for the particular discipline or as required by the instructor in a course (Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy) As shown by the quote above, a quote en bloc was necessary to give Rutgers University proper recognition for the definition of plagiarism. If the quote had been shorter, quotation marks and citation would have been sufficient. Not only must quotes be cited word for word, but paraphrased ideas must also be cited. You cannot present an idea as your own, even if you write the idea in the middle of the sheet of paper and premeditate the act. Penalties for these types of violations include course failure, probation, dismissal, loss of positions, support and opportunities, and ultimately expulsion (Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy). In closing, the Rutgers Academic Integrity Policy follows a strict set of guidelines and protocols. in order to make learning at University an honest and safe experience. All students should deserve to have a fair education, without worrying about student cheating, as well as worrying about cheating themselves. Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty will not help students when they graduate and engage in their field, nor will it make them the type of graduates Rutgers expects. By understanding Rutgers policy, students can learn to perform to the best of their ability both in school and later in the workplace.