In light of the recent events involving Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard, as a student I feel compelled to voice my feelings on the matter. Poshard was accused of plagiarism on his master's thesis as well as his dissertation for his doctorate degree. In a mass email sent to students, Poshard says “Even though the Review Committee says these mistakes were unintentional and inadvertent, they are my mistakes. And I take full responsibility for them” In my opinion, if Poshard were taking full responsibility for his mistakes, he should resign from his post as president of the university immediately. This may seem harsh, but I believe there is no middle ground here, considering the no tolerance policy for students caught plagiarizing here at the university.
Poshard admitted to not citing sources or using quotations, because he was not instructed to do otherwise. This comes as a shock to me, as Poshard has three degrees in various education fields. I was educated on what constitutes plagiarism my freshman year of high school, possibly as far back as elementary or middle school, and I find it hard to believe that Poshard was never given the same education. I find it even more difficult to believe that Poshard managed to not get only one, but three separate degrees, without learning what constitutes plagiarism.
Students at the university are given a no tolerance policy in regards to plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional. If plagiarism is discovered in any form, the student will automatically fail the course they are in, in which they were caught plagiarizing. The punishment can be harsher, resulting in not only a failing grade, but expulsion from the university. What example is Glenn Poshard setting for students at the university by remaining in his position as president? I believe it is a slap in the face to every Southern Illinois University student.
Another email was also sent to students from the SIU Board of Trustees Chairman Roger Tederick. In this email Tederick says that, “The Board, in partnership with Dr. Poshard and the academic community will be working in the coming months to prepare a comprehensive and thoughtful plagiarism policy” For Poshard to keep his position as president, as well as develop a new plagiarism policy here is absurd.
This incident has made me rethink continuing my higher education here at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville after this academic year, not because I believe the school to be lacking, but because I believe that Poshard's actions have compromised the integrity of the university. How can the university expel and fail students based on plagiarism when the president of the university himself was found to have inadvertently committed plagiarism? I urge other students to rethink their education here as well, and stand up for their beliefs. I in no way condone plagiarism, but it is unjust and unfair to discipline students here for plagiarism while Glenn Poshard remains president of this university.
Immediate action must be taken to correct the glaring hypocrisy seen by not only the Southern Illinois University administration, but by Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard himself. Poshard has not only compromised his professional integrity in his actions, but the integrity of the school itself. I believe it is the responsibility of students to speak out and protest this injustice, since it seems that this is not an issue that the SIU administration believes is worth punishing.
-Colby Gower
2 comments:
Your post really made me think. I feel that there are really two issues here. The first is Poshard's plagiarism and the second is the BOT's decision to let him off. I understand Poshard trying to get away with it, I mean, he will lose his career if he is found guilty. But I think that the BOT should be held accountable for letting such a snake keep his job. They way the BOT redefined plagiarism makes me think that someone was paid off.
If a student was to be found off plagiarism, he, he/she would probably be kick out. But if that same student plagiarized and did not get caught until 24 years later, I doubt his/her employer would ask them to step down.
WHY IS EVERYONE BLOWING UP ABOUT A 24 YEAR OLD MISTAKE???
When I say mistake, I am speaking about the committee that reviewed the paper. They were not on their job. If they were, Dr. Poshard would have been denied his Doctorate, but they were not, so let's move on.
Carl B. Mitchell
FY '07 Student Body President, SIUE
President, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
Iota Pi Chapter
p.s. Does no one else realize that we are looking bad to the world because of how we are handling the situation in-house? WE are saying that our reputation is being ruined, so it is (self-fulfilling prophesy!). We don't need the media to attack us... we're attacking ourselves!
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