University-Wide Impact Committee

Minutes 02/09/06

Present

N. Chrissidis, S. DiFrancesco, K. Gatzke, K. Laing, J. Manzella, N. Marano,

J. Mielczarski, W. O'Brien, C. Weed, E. West

I. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 9:42 AM.

II. Old Business

J. Fields asked UWIC last semester to discuss the issue of plagiarism. The subcommittee broadly considered the issue of plagiarism at Southern. Our discussion was informed by a packet of documents that we received from Chris Piscitelli, the director of Judicial Affairs. Also, N. Chrissidis had a meeting Sandy Bulmer from the Faculty Senate.  Dr. Bulmer offered an excellent overview of the Senate's work on plagiarism over the past few years.

A lively discussion followed, including various dimensions of plagiarism as a curricular and judicial issue. The subcommittee recalled that students who spoke at the general body meeting mentioned that they were confused when different professors approach plagiarism in different ways. Concern was raised that as penalties for plagiarism become more severe and the procedures more formal, professors may not take advantage of the system, because they may perceive it as too much of a burden. Nonetheless, we agreed that plagiarism affects the university's reputation.

K. Gatzke moved and C. Weed seconded the following motion:

We recommend that all instructors provide information on their course information sheet about their policy on academic dishonesty.

The motion passed 8-0 with 2 abstentions.

III. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 10:47 AM.