Handling student or staff misconduct
Topic: Following procedures
What is involved when you proceed formally with a case of plagiarism by a student or a staff member?
This topic is designed to help you improve:
- your understanding of what can be involved in formal university procedures
- your skills in negotiating the steps involved in formal university procedures
In this topic two academics share with you their own experiences with following plagiarism procedures.
University policies:
The University of Melbourne:
Processes and procedures for academic misconduct
http://academichonesty.unimelb.edu.au/policy.html
University of Melbourne Statue 13.1. Student discipline
http://www.unimelb.edu.au/ExecServ/Statutes/s131.html
Misconduct and disciplinary arrangements - academic staff
Monash University:
Plagiarism and cheating policy
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Plagiarism and cheating procedures
http://www.policy.monash.edu/policy-bank/academic/education/index.html
Monash University Statute 4.1. Discipline
http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/calendar/statutes/Statute04.html#Heading102
Unsatisfactory performance and disciplinary procedures (staff)
http://www.adm.monash.edu.au/workplace-policy/grievances/unsatisfactory-perf/
Further reading on this topic:
Glenn, D. (2004, December 17). Judge or judge not? Special Report on Plagiarism. Chronicle of Higher Education. http://chronicle.com/cgi2-bin/printable.cgi?article=http://chronicle.com/free/v51/i17/17a01601.htm
“For universities, professional societies and academic journals, blurred responsibility and the threat of lawsuits are steep hurdles to disciplining plagiarists” in cases of scholarly misconduct. (p.1)
Lim, C. L., & Coalter, T. (2006). Academic integrity: An instructor's obligation. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 17(2), 155-159.
“Very little research focuses on what instructors have to endure when they charge students with academic dishonesty. This paper offers insights into actual cases of academic dishonesty [in a North American university], the process, the appeal, the result of each infraction, and why instructors might be reluctant to report incidents... [and] offers guidelines that can help prepare anyone who is serious about upholding academic integrity.” (excerpt from abstract)
Sutherland-Smith, W. (2003, November). Hiding in the shadows: Risks and dilemmas of plagiarism in student academic writing. Paper presented at the Inaugural AARE/NZ International Conference: Educational Research: The Risks and Dilemmas, Auckland, New Zealand. Retrieved June 1, 2006 from http://www.aare.edu.au/03pap/sut03046.pdf
Difficulties reported by 11 Business / Law academics at an Australian university while trying to adhere to plagiarism policy and procedure, including inconsistent definitions of intentionality, poor reflection on teaching practice, burdensome administration, high personal professional costs, unsupportive committee processes.
Overview | Observing misconduct | Following procedures
Applying penalties | Managing information about plagiarism cases