Ethical Considerations on Plagiarism

Ethical Considerations

Colleges and Universities hold similar views and policies on plagiarism. They generally include a Code of Honor or Conduct listed in their student handbooks. Students are required to sign a pledge stating they will honor their schools’ codes. The punishments for disregarding the codes are similar from University to University.

Eastern Kentucky University has an Academic Integrity Policy (Eastern Kentucky University, 2006, para 4). Each student must sign a pledge stating “I hereby affirm that I understand, accept, and will uphold the responsibilities and stipulations of the Eastern Kentucky University Honor Code and Academic Integrity Policy” (¶8). Eastern Kentucky University defines plagiarism as using another person’s images, ideas, or words from another source without giving credit to the source or author (Eastern Kentucky University, 2006, ¶6). Punishments range from failing assignments, to class suspension, or even expulsion. The failing grade stays on students’ permanent records and they may not redeem themselves by retaking classes (Eastern Kentucky University, 2006, ¶22-24).

The University of Kentucky has a similar Honor Code as the University of Eastern Kentucky, but it adds stipulations for plagiarism outside of college course work. For example, if a student is working as a writer outside of the University and breaks the Honor Code, they can suffer severe penalties from the University (University of Kentucky Plagiarism Policy 2006, ¶12-16).

The University of Phoenix states it clearly that plagiarism is the taking another person’s words or ideas and stating that they are your own (Phoenix University 2006, para 2, #11). Also, in the University Of Phoenix Code Of Conduct, you do not have to sign a pledge, but it does state that the student does take responsibility for all actions; that includes the action of writing a paper (Phoenix University 2006, para 2, #11).

Universities handle plagiarism with strict punishments. Blair Hornstine, an 18 year old Valedictorian from New Jersey, lost her acceptance into Harvard when it was discovered that she had plagiarized text from other authors in columns for a local paper (Kantrowitz & Scelfo, 2003, para 50).

Another case of plagiarism at Harvard University was a book written by sophomore, Kaavya Visuranatham. She is being accused of plagiarizing Megan McCafferty, an author of popular young-adult books (Smith, 2006 para 2). Although her work was not submitted as course work at Harvard, the strict honor code expects all students to project an image of honesty and integrity at all times (Smith, 2006, para 16).

Plagiarism can destroy careers and lives. Jayson Blair, a former reporter for the New York Times, plagiarized over 40 articles in the course of a year (Journalism Profiles, 2003, para 2-3). By his actions, he caused pubic confidence in journalism to diminish (Journalism Profiles, 2003 para 11). In the end, not only did he destroy his professional reputation and lose his job, he ended up taking two employees down with him (Journalism Profiles, 2003 para 10).

Lee Phil-sang, former President of Korea University, resigned from his position after local media reported that he had allegedly plagiarized part of his thesis (Honorable Decision, 2007 para 2). Although the majority of his faculty and counsel supported him, Phil-Sang resigned thinking it was a better decision to quit than face the accusation of plagiarism (Honorable Decision, 2007,para 5).

Because the Internet makes sources easily available, the popularity of plagiarism is on the rise. The Internet carries a lot of temptation: from essay writing services