2008 Woodie Awards
Smith clarifies school policy on plagiarism
Kelly McGee
Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News
When a professor feels plagiarism is committed in a student's piece of work, the first step is for the professor to confront the student and discuss the situation before any paperwork is submitted to the dean, according to Smith.
This allows for the student to appeal their case to the professor before anything further happens.
If the act is then submitted to the dean and the student still feels wrongfully accused, they have 10 days after the act is reported to meet with the dean and argue their case.
The case will then be placed in the student's file in the dean's office if the student agrees to the accusation.
If the student wishes to appeal further, the case will be submitted to the Standards and Advising Committee, where the student must go to again argue their case.
The last chance for appeal is to the University Appeals Board.
"It is to guarantee a student due process and a process that is fair," said Smith.
Cases of academic misconduct are placed in the University records retention file, where they will be held for five years after the student has left Pacific.
The files are kept private, and can only be accessed if the student signs a waiver to make the files public, or by a court order.
The file cannot be viewed by graduate schools or businesses calling for job references.
After those five years that the student has been absent from the University, the entire file is shredded.
This should not come as a surprise to any student.
"All students are provided a copy of the academic code, and are required to sign a contract," said Smith.
To view Pacific's full code of academic conduct, visit: www.pacificu.edu/catalog/college.php?id=1&catalogid=1.
This allows for the student to appeal their case to the professor before anything further happens.
If the act is then submitted to the dean and the student still feels wrongfully accused, they have 10 days after the act is reported to meet with the dean and argue their case.
The case will then be placed in the student's file in the dean's office if the student agrees to the accusation.
If the student wishes to appeal further, the case will be submitted to the Standards and Advising Committee, where the student must go to again argue their case.
The last chance for appeal is to the University Appeals Board.
"It is to guarantee a student due process and a process that is fair," said Smith.
Cases of academic misconduct are placed in the University records retention file, where they will be held for five years after the student has left Pacific.
The files are kept private, and can only be accessed if the student signs a waiver to make the files public, or by a court order.
The file cannot be viewed by graduate schools or businesses calling for job references.
After those five years that the student has been absent from the University, the entire file is shredded.
This should not come as a surprise to any student.
"All students are provided a copy of the academic code, and are required to sign a contract," said Smith.
To view Pacific's full code of academic conduct, visit: www.pacificu.edu/catalog/college.php?id=1&catalogid=1.
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