Distance Learning Policies

Scholastic Dishonesty and Plagiarism

CTC has an honor code for academic behavior that insists on a high degree of intellectual honesty. The following is a definition of plagiarism and a clarification of that definition. Though no definition can be wholly inclusive, the following definition sets the boundaries on what is acceptable academic behavior while at CTC.

Plagiarism is an act in which a student uses someone else's
words or ideas without due acknowledgment in order
to gain some form of reward.

Certain words and ideas in this simple-sounding definition need to be clarified:

a.� "uses someone else's words" is the unacknowledged� use either of any original or important words from another source, or three or more consecutive words from any unacknowledged source.

b.� "uses someone else's . . . ideas" includes use without acknowledgment of any interpretative idea, even a general idea taken from a general source, or any fact not in general knowledge. It also includes use of the paraphrased, altered, condensed, or simplified phraseology from an unacknowledged source. It is plagiarism when the unacknowledged use occurs in any written work, including "homework" or practice work that will be graded or presumed to be the work of the individual who is presenting it.

c. "without due acknowledgment" means any situation in which the reader of the immediate document cannot tell that the writer that he/she is reading is not primary source of the ideas and/or words. Simply placing a work in a reference or works cited list is not enough. Neither is placing a parenthetical reference at the end of the paragraph. There is a clear need for both the accuracy of quotations marks, appropriately placed parenthetical references, and an accurate works cited page. If any one of these is missing, plagiarism could result.

d. "someone else's" includes, but is not limited to, any work that has been published, including books, multi-volume works, academic journals, popular magazines, or any papers/notes produced as "study guides" or "study aids." It includes all electronic sources. The phrase also includes the use of any unpublished work, whether produced by a fellow student or not, whether borrowed, stolen, or paid for (including work from internet paper services). It does not include broad general knowledge or lecture information given in the class for which the paper is written. The writer must check with the instructor to determine if the use of class/lecture notes is an acceptable source of information.�

����������� The phrase "someone else's" also includes excessive aid accepted from, or given to, other students, even in spoken form. Excessive aid, for instance, includes ideas dictated to a student and placed in the student's paper.�����������

e.� "reward" here means benefit, tangible or intangible, received by any party involved in the acts of plagiarism or cheating.

Ignorance of the precise definition of plagiarism is no more
an excuse than ignorance of the law is an excuse. It
is up to the student to become aware of the general
principles and the specific criteria of individual instructors.

Cheating: Statement and Definition

Cheating is more often than not more clear an offense than is plagiarism. Cheating is an act of

1. giving or receiving, and/or aiding in either the giving or receiving of any unauthorized information during a test or quiz,
2. communicating the contents, general or specific, of any test of quiz to include the lending or borrowing of past tests or quizzes when the instructor has not specifically sanctioned this act,
3. using in the testing area any covert and unacceptable means of receiving or giving information �on a test or quiz, and
4. taking a test/quiz for another student.

Beyond tests and quizzes, if a student turns in one paper for two classes without gaining consent from both instructors, it is considered an act of dishonesty and, therefore, an act of cheating (i.e., receiving double credit for a single assignment).

Any time a student is in doubt about what he or she is going to do, it is the student's responsibility to check with the instructor before doing it.

Courseware Use Policy
The content and format of the courseware and supporting documents are owned by Central Texas College District. The courseware and supporting documents are protected by the United States copyright laws. These materials may not be reprinted in any form except those specified for instructional purposes with the express written consent of Central Texas College District Distance Education Division. The courseware may be displayed and printed for personal, non-commercial use only. Only students registered for this course and the instructor may access this courseware under the user name and password supplied for this period of enrollment.

The CTCD Distance Education Division staff makes every effort to provide accurate and up-to-date courseware. Never the less, we have no liability for the accuracy, content, or accessibility of the hyperlinks contained within the courseware.

Back to top

Family Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 grants to students certain rights, privileges, and protections relative to individually identifiable student educational records which are maintained by the College. Central Texas College's institutional policy is consistent with the intent, guarantees, and safeguards embodied in the legislation.

Achieving student success in online courses will require your active participation and the use of online resources and services. To ensure that the programs and services provided are appropriate to your needs, information regarding your enrollment may need to be communicated electronically. Access to this information will be limited to college officials with legitimate need for such information. These may include your instructor, academic advisor, registrars, and testing officer.

Back to top

Privacy Statement
When you correspond with us, we will only use any personal information (such as name, mailing address and e-mail address) contained in your email to respond to your specific inquiry or provide distance learning updates. If you are enrolled in one of our courses, you may be required to email other students or post messages on the site. If you do post messages, remember that other users may have access to your email address and user name. CTC will not share any personal information provided by you with any unauthorized person or company. CTC does not share personally identifiable information gathered from users of the web site with third parties.

We reserve the right to change this statement at any time, so visit this page occasionally to check for changes.

Back to top