Statistics Show Reduction in Plagiarism Cases at U of S

Posted October 27, 2005


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 27, 2005
2005-10-16-OTHER

Statistics Show Reduction in Plagiarism Cases at U of S

Today, the University of Saskatchewan released its annual set of statistics
on cheating, showing that for the third consecutive year, the number of
cases has dropped.

University Secretary Lea Pennock announced that between July 2004 and June
2005, the University had 52 cases of academic dishonesty heard by college
and university panels. Of these, 47 students were found to be guilty (one
student was suspended for a term, none were expelled, and the remainder were
penalized with either failure in the class or with a grade reduction in the
class).

"The reduction in cases this year appears to be due primarily to fewer
charges of plagiarism, in contrast to other types of academic dishonesty,"
said Pennock. "Last year there were 45 plagiarism cases while this year
there were fewer than 30."

This is the third year that the University has released its academic
dishonesty statistics. In 2002-03, there were 79 cases heard, of which 67
were found to be guilty, while in 2003-04, there were 73 cases heard, of
which 60 were found to be guilty.

"The U of S takes a proactive approach in educating students about honesty
and integrity so that their degrees are earned honestly and are respected by
their future employers," added Pennock. "The University has focused
particular attention on plagiarism issues over the last three years and I am
very pleased to see that our hard work is paying off."

Faculty discuss plagiarism issues in class, and information about plagiarism
and cheating is included in class outlines. The University Secretary's
Office began a campaign in 2002 using the catchphrase "Writing It Right" to
educate students about plagiarism and provide resources so that students
could cite sources correctly when writing essays.

Another improvement made at the U of S last year deals with the problem of
copying laboratory assignments. A new procedure developed by computer
science professor Mark Eramian, was used in computer science classes to
educate students about the importance of doing their own software
assignments.

The computer science department uses one of two software detection programs
to identify similarities in software writing assignments in computing and
computer science courses. A departmental panel, which includes a student
representative, then determines whether a warning letter should be sent to
alert the student that they should not be sharing software writing with
other students. Last year, 105 warning letters were sent; only two students
became repeat offenders who were then charged with plagiarism.

Monday, Oct. 31 marks the beginning of the University's third annual Writing
It Right Week, where lunchtime sessions educate students and faculty about
the importance of honesty and integrity.

Award-winning educator Brian Thwaits presents "Train Your Brain" to kick off
the week on Monday October 31 at 12:30 p.m. in Room 241 in the Arts
Building. Using the latest research on cognition and memory, this
entertaining and educational presentation helps students improve their
memory, and write exams and essays with confidence.

Writing it Right Week activities run daily through to Nov. 4. Additional
information can be found at www.usask.ca/honesty/week.shtml

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For more information, please contact:

Lea Pennock
University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4632
www.usask.ca/honesty

Dr. Mark G. Eramian
Dept. of Computer Science
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-4028