2008 Woodie Awards
Professor protests plagiarism review plan
Calls for external review committee
Catherine Klene
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: News
An SIUE professor dissatisfied with the current internal committee reviewing plagiarism allegations against Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard is calling for other SIUE faculty members to support his statement for an external review committee.
Philosophy professor Robert Ware drafted a statement Friday and e-mailed it to his colleagues to add their signatures if they thought it appropriate.
"Those who are signing it are supporting a fully independent and external review of plagiarism charges against President Poshard," Ware said.
SIUC Chancellor Fernando Treviño appointed the current review committee, made up of seven SIUC faculty members, two weeks ago. The committee will review Poshard's 1984 doctoral dissertation and his 1975 master's thesis for evidence of plagiarism. The original allegations came after the SIUC student newspaper, The Daily Egyptian, released a story accusing Poshard of plagiarising parts of the dissertation.
Although Ware would not release the full content of the statement, he said it will be released in the form of letters to the editor in local media later this week.
Ware said he originally wanted to set up an online petition on Blackboard, but Lovejoy Library Dean Jay Starratt declined his application.
Starratt did not immediately return requests for comment Monday afternoon.
Ware said an internal review, that is, a review performed by faculty members of the SIU system, would not appear unbiased or impartial because the reviewers are under Poshard's authority.
"In order to be unbiased, it can't be an internal review," Ware said.
Ware said he had no reason to doubt the review committee members' integrity, but he said he believes the public would question the validity of an internal review.
"Unfortunately, President Poshard will never fully clear his name through an internal review, and our university will never fully clear our name through an internal review," Ware said.
Philosophy professor Robert Ware drafted a statement Friday and e-mailed it to his colleagues to add their signatures if they thought it appropriate.
"Those who are signing it are supporting a fully independent and external review of plagiarism charges against President Poshard," Ware said.
SIUC Chancellor Fernando Treviño appointed the current review committee, made up of seven SIUC faculty members, two weeks ago. The committee will review Poshard's 1984 doctoral dissertation and his 1975 master's thesis for evidence of plagiarism. The original allegations came after the SIUC student newspaper, The Daily Egyptian, released a story accusing Poshard of plagiarising parts of the dissertation.
Although Ware would not release the full content of the statement, he said it will be released in the form of letters to the editor in local media later this week.
Ware said he originally wanted to set up an online petition on Blackboard, but Lovejoy Library Dean Jay Starratt declined his application.
Starratt did not immediately return requests for comment Monday afternoon.
Ware said an internal review, that is, a review performed by faculty members of the SIU system, would not appear unbiased or impartial because the reviewers are under Poshard's authority.
"In order to be unbiased, it can't be an internal review," Ware said.
Ware said he had no reason to doubt the review committee members' integrity, but he said he believes the public would question the validity of an internal review.
"Unfortunately, President Poshard will never fully clear his name through an internal review, and our university will never fully clear our name through an internal review," Ware said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Scott Shook
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:39 AM CST
I think that Professor Ware is being hypocritical in seeking an outside review of the presidents dissertation and thesis while at the same time making the following statement, ""The meaning of a university faculty has traditionally, for hundreds of years, been active participation in the governance of the university and in the resolution of important issues that the university faces," Ware said. (Continued…)
Nathaniel Harty
posted 10/02/07 @ 2:33 PM CST
Dr. Ware is not being hypocritical in the least.
Ware states quite clearly that any internal review will be deemed inadequate by the general public. (Continued…)
Betsy
posted 10/03/07 @ 2:56 PM CST
I think certain members of the faculty should stop their witch hunt, and decided to do the job that they're there for, to TEACH! Time could clearly be better invested in the students of SIUE they are there to teach. (Continued…)
PrGibson
Preston Gibson
posted 10/04/07 @ 3:25 PM CST
Betsy, what kind of "witch hunt" perhaps places your job in jeopardy? Suggesting Dr. Ware is part of a "witch hunt" is simply unfounded and careless. If members of the faculty are on a witch hunt, what is there to gain? Nothing- the easy thing to do is to do nothing. (Continued…)
Difference of Opinion
posted 10/09/07 @ 11:08 AM CST
'If members of the faculty are on a witch hunt, what is there to gain?' Revenge against the administration.
'Individuals like Dr. Ware understand the negative affects of an unresolved controversy. (Continued…)
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