Plagiarism: Adjusting the Consequence

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Recommended: Causes and effects of plagiarism

1 Most universities believe students should be expelled immediately due to the acts of plagiarism. But is it really safe to jump to such an extreme conclusion for an action that in most cases, require some sort of investigation or trial? For many years, universities have battled students on this particular subject. Plagiarism has levels that should be dealt with by first locating the cause, examining the evidence, and determining whether it was purposely planned or not. Students, just like their professors, sometimes make simple mistakes and no student should be immediately expelled for unobvious plagiarism. Immediate expulsion is unruly and unfair to students who actually work hard, but may lack the necessary knowledge to detect plagiarism.

2 The problem with an immediate expulsion and why it is unfair to students is because it can overlook the truth too soon and cause permanent damage to one’s future without an explanation. It would be unfair to penalize students in such a way who have no history in plagiarizing and may even have straight A’s in their current classes. Some universities do not focus on bringing awareness to students on preventing plagiarism, so why should innocent students be forced to fail the entire class? According to writer Zinie Chen Sampson at Pilot Online News, Allison Routman, an Ohio University senior who attended an off-grounds program for the University of Virginia said she was shocked when a professor accused her of plagiarizing from an online synopsis of a movie. The University of Virginia has a single-sanction honor code, meaning students face expulsion after one violation. The professor had suspected plagiarism in a number of students for the assignment given and allowed them to come fort...

... middle of paper ...

...o asking questions needed to pass, not just that course, but all others as well.

Works Cited

Chapman, Lindsey. "Expelled Student Sues Classmate Over Accusations of Plagiarism."

FindingDulcinea. 21 Nov. 2008. Web. 21 June 2011.

Sampson, Zinie Chen. "Students Expelled from UVA Shipboard Program for Plagiarism."

Pilot Online | Hampton Roads. The Associated Press, 11 Aug. 2008. Web. 21 June 2011.

Waldman, Loretta. "Lawsuit Is Latest Chapter in Accusation of Cheating At CCSU" The

Hartford Courant. The Hartford Courant, 18 Nov. 2008. Web. 21 June 2011.

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