Though colleges and universities can vary widely in how they actually approach the definition of such broad terms such as "lying" or "cheating," most agree that using any unauthorized method or material during an academic exercise would fall under that umbrella.  

This would apply to looking over someone's shoulder for an answer, using a calculator when it isn't allowed, obtaining or discussing an exam without permission from the instructor, copying homework from a classmate, purchasing essays or papers from the Internet, watching a video instead of reading a book, and/or duplicating computer files.

Plagiarism is taking another person's ideas or work and presenting them as their own.  This is extremely and especially intolerable in academic culture.  Just as taking someone else's property constitutes physical theft, taking credit for someone else's ideas and work equals intellectual theft.  

In written reports and papers, you MUST give credit ANYTIME that you (a) use another person's actual words, (b) use another person's ideas or theories (even if you aren't quoting them directly), or (c) use any information that isn't considered common knowledge.

The consequences of cheating and plagiarizing do vary from institution to institution.  You also may feel like you know several people who cheat repeatedly and always seem to get away with it.  However, the consequences of such behaviors can be severe and life-changing.  Students have been suspended, expelled, and, in extreme cases, even had their college degrees revoked for cheating on exams and plagiarizing major papers.  Writers and journalists have lost their jobs and journalistic careers due to presenting other writers' work as their own.  Even college presidents around the country have at times been found guilty of "borrowing" the words of others in their speeches and addresses.  Such results not only result in embarrassment and shame, but also in lawsuits and possible criminal action.

Ouachita Baptist University has a strict academic honesty code.  It states:

"In order to promote scholarly endeavor and growth within a Christian environment, Ouachita expects a high
level of academic integrity from all its students. This expectation is stated explicitly in the Covenant on
Academic Honor, which includes a pledge that all students are obligated to uphold. Violations of proper
academic conduct constitute a severe disciplinary problem, which will result in penalties that may include
expulsion from class or suspension from the University."

Even though the temptation to cheat or plagiarize might be strong, the chance of possibly getting a better grade isn't worth misrepresenting yourself or your knowledge and suffering the potential consequences.