Policy on Plagiarism
Plagiarism has been defined by the University and a detailed statement appears in the Handbook. Also see the SCMP policy on plagiarism.
Plagiarism involves using the work (writing, recording, photography etc.) of another person, and presenting it as if it is your own. You may quote from or summarise someone else's published work but only if you explicitly state this is what you are doing and give the precise publication details to it. Using unpublished material produced by someone else is plagiarism unless it is clearly acknowledged, even if that person has given you permission to do so. This includes essays and assignments written by other students. Quotations or passages from published books, papers, newspapers, journals and other written material, and documents downloaded electronically from the Net or copied from other people's computer files also must be clearly acknowledged. plagiarism includes using someone else's results or conclusions, summarising someone else's work as if it is your own, and collaborating in an assignment in such a way as to submit substantially the same piece of work as another student. Encouraging or assisting someone else to commit plagiarism is improper collusion and may attract the same penalties.
Penalties for plagiarism
- 1. When a student (or students) is/are suspected of plagiarism, the Unit Convenor will, in the first instance, discuss it with the Head of Department or nominee*. (It is important that more than one person agree that a prima facie case exists). If there is agreement that a case exists, the student will be called in by the Unit Convenor and Head of Department (or nominee) and asked to respond to the suggestion. The student must be given the opportunity to put his/her case in writing if he/she chooses to do so.
- 2. Where it appears that the plagiarism has occurred as a result of a genuine misunderstanding on the student's part, or where other circumstances suggest it is an error which will not be repeated, it is recommended that no penalty be applied but that the student be counselled so that it is clear what is required. The student must agree that it will not occur again. The student's name and student number will be noted within the Department and reported to the Divisional Office where an on-going list will be maintained in the event that subsequent academic staff believe the same student has subsequently offended.
- 3. Where the plagiarism appears to be deliberate, conscious and the result of planning or collaboration, it is recommended that the penalty is automatic failure in the unit. The student will however, be given the opportunity to make a case to the Head of Department or nominee, who may recommend a lesser penalty depending on circumstances (such as awarding no marks for that particular piece of work).
- 4. Where a student is detected in repeated plagiarism (i.e. in more than one unit or on more than one occasion) the case will be brought to the Head of Division who may recommend any of a range of penalties, including failure in the unit and/or exclusion from the University for one semester or longer. Such severe recommendations however will be referred to the University Discipline Committee for a final determination. Students will be given an opportunity to put their case at every level in accordance with the University By-Laws and principles of natural justice.
* The nominee is normally the Department Undergraduate Studies representative.
The University has currently established a Senate Committee on Plagiarism. This Committee will make further recommendations regarding process and penalties.
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