Plagiarism Pitfall
By Lucia Rodriguez
May commencement is fast approaching. Graduation candidates have ordered invitations, caps and gowns. The late-night study sessions and weekends spent at the library have culminated to the award of either one’s master’s degree or bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, plagiarism may deny some UHCL students the honor of walking across the stage to receive their degree.
“In 2008 there were 75 reported cases of plagiarism,” said Anthony Jenkins, dean of students. “However, this matter is grossly under reported on our campus.”
The rise in plagiarism cases has plagued University of Houston-Clear Lake undergraduates and graduate students alike. So far, approximately 15 reported cases of plagiarism have been reported for this semester. The increase in reported cases of plagiarism can be attributed to students reporting other students and instructors being more alert.
Plagiarism has many different forms other than just failure to acknowledge sources on. It can include blatant cheating on exams and assignments.
“There can be many reasons for academic honesty hearings,” said Steve Steiner, vice president/committee coordinator for The Student Government Association. “First is that the student has plagiarized a piece of original work (either in part or in full) “Secondly, a student could be caught cheating on an exam or assignment.”
Another factor is that UHCL is an upper level institution and English composition classes are not taught here.
“Although most undergraduate degrees require an advance writing course, there is not a timetable that states a student must take that class in their first semester here at UHCL,” Steiner said. Therefore, transfer students may not have been properly educated on what is plagiarism and what is not.”
In some cases, the student may have committed plagiarism one or more times already in his or her academic career here at UHCL. The penalties range from an F for the assignment or an F in the course to suspension or expulsion from the university. Hearings are held in front of a council composed of four students and four faculty members, and they decide on the applicable penalties for each case.
“Being a student in the pool for these hearings, it can be intense, but is also very rewarding,” Steiner said. “It is important to note that what is discussed in these hearings is confidential and cannot be talked about with the student or anyone outside the hearing.”
Plagiarism is explained in the Academic Honesty Policy in the UHCL 2008-2009 catalog
Page 79, Section II: 3 plagiarism: (a) Incorporating the work or idea of another’s work without acknowledging the source of that work idea. (b) Attempting to receive credit for work performed by another person, including papers obtained in whole or part from individuals or other sources. (c) Copying copyrighted computer programs or data files belonging to some one else. (d) Conspiracy - agreeing with one or more persons to commit any act of academic dishonesty.
“My position on addressing plagiarism issues is to use a dual approach that seeks to educate both faculty members and students; thus, creating partnerships that allow us to collectively rid our community of scholars of this growing issue,” Jenkins said.
Students have resources available to them to avoid plagiarism pitfalls including their instructors and the UHCL Writing Center, Suite 2105 the Student Services Building. The Writing Center offers MLA to APA documentation workshops.
“UHCL students who intentionally plagiarize, not only cheat themselves, but they jeopardize the academic integrity of our university and devalue the degrees of hard-working students,” Jenkins said.
