Plagiarism comes in many forms. Copying the work of another is plagiarism, as is having someone else do work that you claim as your own. Buying an essay and submitting it as your own is also plagiarism. All works from physical or digital sources require proper citation. Even using portions of your own previous works can be considered plagiarism if not cited properly.
Determining whether a student's work is original used to be very difficult and time consuming, as teachers and teaching assistants had to recognize phrases that had not been cited. Web technology makes it easier for students to plagiarize the works of others; however, it also makes it easier to detect plagiarism. There are websites that cross reference millions of sources, including the essays of other students.
Contacting the department chair and the office of the registrar is the first step in investigating a plagiarism claim. An interview is conducted by the department chair and the professor. During the interview, the student is made aware of the plagiarism claim. From this interview it is determined whether the plagiarism was intentional.
Students found guilty of plagiarism face a number of consequences. They may receive one, or a combination of the following punishments: written notation included in the student's file, attending an academic integrity training course, reduction in assignment grade or failure of the assignment, reduction in overall course grade, failing the course, written notation on official transcripts, suspension and expulsion. Some schools have a zero tolerance policy regarding plagiarism and choose expulsion to punish those who plagiarize.