Note: This article was updated Oct. 22, 2006.
After today, the university might have the power to revoke the degrees of several former graduate engineering students accused of plagiarizing their theses, among other potential punishments.
The Ohio University Board of Trustees will vote today on a resolution authorizing the creation of a committee to review disciplinary procedures for sorting out cases of alleged plagiarism in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology.
Last night the Academic Quality Committee approved the resolution, which also gives OU President Roderick McDavis the power to strip diplomas from graduate students convicted of plagiarism.
We have to ensure academic integrity at this institution
Provost Kathy Krendl said. It's very serious.
Already, 34 graduate students have been by singled out by the engineering college to appear before the Academic Honesty Hearing Committee. The committee will convene next week to determine the hearing schedule, said David Ingram, professor of physics and astronomy, and chair of the committee.
The resolution is necessary because the university does not have a procedure to apply the academic dishonesty clause of the student handbook to former students. The process, crafted by the Office of Legal Affairs, is modeled after procedures for current students, Krendl said.
The committee is expected to complete the hearings by the end of the calendar year, Ingram said.
Former students can choose not to be present at their hearings but can still face sanctions imposed by the committee, which can include revocation of degrees or an option to rewrite the thesis with the offense being noted on their academic record.
Legal Affairs will present the case against the students who will have the opportunity to present a defense with the aid of legal counsel.The committee can question both the university and the accused. Both counsels will have the opportunity to question witnesses.
I fully believe we can hold hearings that will give students due process Ingram said.
Of the 34 students, 26 have been sent letters informing them of the committee process. University officials are searching for addresses for the other students.
The trustees stressed the importance of due process regarding treatment of former students because of the inevitable lawsuits if degrees are revoked, said Larry Schey, chair of the committee.
Mechanical engineering professor David Bayless, who advised students that might appear before the committee, said that though he is not familiar with the procedures, he has faith the university will craft a policy that is fair to all parties.
A call seeking comment from mechanical engineering professor Bhavin Mehta, who, according to e-mails attained from a records request, advised 12 students suspected of alleged plagiarism, was returned by Columbus-based attorney Fred Gittes.
Gittes, who is also representing former administrator Todd Acheson in an open records lawsuit involving the network security breaches, said that Mehta was not familiar with the process or in a position to comment. Bhavin is consulting with me about possible action he said.
Professor Jay Gunasekera, who, according to university records, advised the greatest number of students accused of alleged plagiarism, has already sued the university for defamation, seeking more than $25,000 in damages.Student-athletes
At the Student Life, Human Resources, and Athletics Committee hearing, Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said that student-athletes must observe a revised code of conduct starting Winter Quarter.
Two weeks ago, trustees asked Hocutt, at a meeting prompted by reports that 18 athletes were arrested in the past nine months, to present a revised policy at this week's board meetings.
Hocutt did not present the policy but did say that he would continue to handle all discipline within the athletic department until the new policy is in place.
Athletes have the responsibility of serving as role models, Hocutt said. Athletes are some of
if not the most
visible ambassadors at Ohio University.' Bethany Furkin contributed to this story.
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