Although many other colleges and universities have dealt with plagiarism, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology faces a unique challenge.
This is a historical situation
said College of Engineering Dean Dennis Irwin, noting that the cases span many years, and the sheer number of cases makes the investigation difficult.
University officials have continued to uncover more cases as the investigation has progressed, said Ohio University Provost Kathy Krendl.
While the procedure for consequences has not been finalized, it is important that the college and university set the tone to make sure students and others understand that the institution does not tolerate plagiarism, Irwin said.
It must be known that this can't be a situation where they simply correct a mistake Irwin said of the students being investigated. We must have something that students believe in.
But the recent investigation has seemingly marred the college's reputation, as it has received national media attention.
At OU if you get a master's degree and cheat
you can fix it and it will be OK
said Mark Mecum, Graduate Student Senate president, who has been working with the Legal Affairs office and has seen some of the theses being investigated.
Mecum, who is studying international relations, said there would be no flexibility if plagiarism by any student in his department was discovered. He also noted that the situation in the College of Engineering is unique, and it is a challenge to determine what the best policy should be.
Some have expressed anger with the Academic Honesty Oversight Committee, which consists of professors in the College of Engineering.
OU has long way to go
said Carl Billhardt, a Battelle Columbus Laboratories employee whose work was allegedly plagiarized by an OU student. It's like setting the fox to guard the henhouse
Billhardt said of the committee. He is not an OU alumnus.Difficulties and solutions
A culture of plagiarism extends beyond OU's campus.
As evidenced in the 1985 case, an OU student who used the company's work without citing it was hired to work for the company from which he took work. Taylan Altan, an engineering professor at the Ohio State University, said he sees this stuff in universities all the time.
Engineering students might not be as sensitive to plagiarism issues as, say, journalism students, Altan said.
So what's the problem?
For one, students just don't know, Altan said. Some students plagiarize by mistake, others on purpose, and it is hard to differentiate, Altan said.
Plagiarism means different things to different people
he said.
It is hard to know whether students are cheating intentionally, but those who are deserve severe punishments, Altan said.
I would be very impressed if students know all these rules about plagiarism and properly referencing sources, Altan said.
The majority of students in the College of Engineering are international students, and almost all the students being reviewed in the plagiarism investigation are from abroad, Irwin said.
While cultural differences might be a factor, Irwin said international students will face the same consequences as domestic students, once the college makes a final decision as to what the punishments will be. The recommendations made by the committee, which Irwin characterized as lax, absolutely did not have anything to do with the fact that many of the students were international.
Many international students who come to OU have a strong grasp of English, but the Ohio Program of Intensive English offers classes for foreign graduate students to help their writing skills, according to a university e-mail.
Some graduate engineering students have taken these classes, Irwin said.
If a student does not show a mastery of the English language, it is easier to catch plagiarism in the transitions, said Jay Gunasekera, an OU mechanical engineering professor. But when students can write well and know English thoroughly, it is harder to find.
I can't tell if someone plagiarized unless language style changes
Altan said.
Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the adviser, Altan said. The adviser needs to thoroughly check all references and ensure the student is properly citing his or her work, adding, It isn't anyone else's responsibility.
If there is a problem with a thesis, I am as wrong as he is
Altan said of his students.
Another challenge is that there are different levels of plagiarism, and that the investigation has led officials into very gray areas, Krendl said.
It is not as simple as saying 'Did someone plagiarize
and what is the academic result?
