Plagiarism Identification and Citation Practice

Integrity demands that we be constant in all things. So, to cheat or not to cheat? That is the question. The answer my friend, is blowing in the wind. The answer is blowing in the wind. To cheat is to act unfairly; it is dishonest, betrays trust, fails to show respect, and evades responsibility. Students sometimes say they are afraid to write their own words because their writing isn't that good. I say, the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Faculty have another question to answer, and that is: whether it's nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous writing or to accept plagiarism and better writing. What is our priority? SUNY Plattsburgh expects students to be honest and to conduct themselves with integrity in all aspects of their relationship with the college. Therefore the faculty must be prepared to help students develop their skills, rather than see them sprung fully grown from the brow of every freshman.

The problem is that very difficult situations can easily arise. We know that students are natural economizers. Many students are interested in the shortest route possible through a course. Additionally, students are faced with too many choices, so they put off low priorities. This leads to trouble. For example, when a student admits to using the source but insists that she had no intention of stealing the material. And yet, she and you both know the strict rules against plagiarism. What do you decide to do with her?

Let me end by saying this. I have a dream. A dream that one day the sons and daughters of plagiarists and the sons and daughters of the plagiarized will sit down together in academic discourse, and be at peace.

HHR 2006