New Policy For Plagiarism

Recently, Harvard’s Computer Science 50 (CS50): "Introduction to Computer Science I" course instituted a new academic integrity policy that lets students who commit scholastically unreasonable acts avoid facing Harvard’s Administrative Board, a committee that oversees discipline matters at the college. According to The Harvard Crimson, the course syllabus’ new "regret clause" states that students who violate the academic dishonesty standards may report the violation to their instructor within 72 hours and "will likely face only local course sanctions."While CS50’s new policy may seem overly lenient, the Academy’s academic departments should consider implementing a similar guideline, a new academic policy that permits internal management of plagiarism cases as well as the Discipline Committee’s handling of cases for the benefit of students and faculty alike.At Exeter, most plagiarism cases are dealt with directly by the Discipline Committee. Obviously, the Committee reviews each case discreetly and thoroughly and determines the appropriate consequences for the reported student; however, the Academy lacks internal handling of plagiarism cases, which could potentially help improve the quality of academics at Exeter.Often times when the Discipline Committee decides that a reported case of plagiarism needs special consideration, the reported student turns out to have committed a dishonest act, and she or he receives a restriction, academic probation or in serious cases, a requirement to withdraw from the Academy.The punishments for plagiarism at the Academy are purportedly designed to allow students to reflect upon their mistakes and offenses. While the consequences might provide opportunities for students to repent their misjudgments, they do not function as a way for them to learn and progress; they only instill a sense of humiliation and guilt.Now, it’s inarguable that plagiarism is one of the major offenses that completely contradict the spirit of an academic institution. It righteously deserves a punishment that matches its severity. Plagiarism, however, can often traumatize the student who commits it because of the disappointment and degradation of one elf that may result during the Discipline Committee procedures.Internal handling of a plagiarism case could help the student overcome the aforementioned feelings that result during or after the Discipline Committee process. Students would be able to speak to their instructors privately and have an opportunity to learn directly from their instructors various ways to avoid misjudgments. Furthermore, faculty members will be able to glimpse into the student’s nature and attitude and determine what the student will need in the future to become a greater scholar.Granting students the ability to avoid the Discipline Committee if they inform their instructors of their violation within a certain amount of time could also benefit the Academy.Such a policy would promote honesty among students and would allow more cases to come to light, since students would feel more comfortable to reveal them just to their instructors.Of course, some students might exploit internal handling of cases solely to avoid facing the Discipline Committee. For example, a senior might not want to finish a major assignment during his or her final term at Exeter. Consequently, the student might submit a plagiarized assignment and inform the instructor about it the next day. This way, the student could avoid a major disciplinary case, which shows up on all students’ records.It’s important, however, to note that overtly unacceptable cases can always be referred to the Discipline Committee. Most students decide to plagiarize when they experience time-pressure, lack of sleep or other stressful circumstances, and the majority of cases tend to be careless mistakes.And in all honesty, if a student decides to admit his or her mistake—especially in a place like Exeter where mistakes are subtly stigmatized—the student should be commended for the fortitude he or she mustered and should be given a second chance.Additionally, some believe that internal handling might result in excessively lenient punishments. This is blatantly false, because even with internal handling, the student who committed plagiarism will receive a zero or a failing grade for the plagiarized assignment. This grade would be a severe enough consequence for students, because to students of Exeter, grades and academic success hold immense value.Ultimately, by giving an opportunity for students to be honest, the Academy will be able to foster an environment of trust between faculty and students.Both students and faculty will be able to create a greater sense of empathy towards each other and ultimately, the co-existence of the Discipline Committee’s oversight and internal management of plagiarism cases will allow the Academy to effectively face plagiarism on campus and build relationships between faculty and students that we, as a school, put effort into building every day.