Credit to Bobby Griffith, Government Information Reference Specialist, Eagle Commons Library, University of North Texas Libraries. "Cite it With Style! How to Cite Government Information Resources like a Pro." Federal Depository Library Program Academy, 2006.
Plagiarism is the unacknowledged and inappropriate use of the ideas or wording of another writer. Since plagiarism corrupts values in which the university community is fundamentally committed – the pursuit of knowledge, intellectual honesty – plagiarism is considered a grave violation of academic integrity and the sanctions against it are correspondingly severe. Plagiarism can be characterized as "academic theft."
Bottom line is: If you use someone else's idea, give them credit.
See the following resources for information on CSUF's policies regarding student conduct and plagiarism: