2008 Woodie Awards
AlestleView: No revision will solve this
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: Opinion
The verdict is in: an internal review committee has found Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard at fault for cases of "inadvertent plagiarism" in his 1984 doctoral dissertation. To remedy the problem, the committee advised Poshard to correct any discrepancies in the document.
This situation has gone too far.
The accusations alone made the university look bad enough. The way the situation has been handled has made a mockery of this entire educational institution.
Perhaps, at one point, it seemed easiest to take the quiet way out of this. Nominate an internal review committee. Suggest the dissertation be revised. Go back to business as usual, hoping the world will forget that the university's reputation was ever in jeopardy.
Instead, the university's milquetoastian approach has brought on even more unfavorable attention. The story has been conveyed through news outlets in the state, nation and world. In short, the university's actions have spoken volumes to the public, disparaging the institution's credibility.
A precarious precedent has been set. From this point, any student or faculty member accused of academic dishonesty need look no further than the nearest newspaper to argue his or her case. Clearly, if plagiarism by the university president warrants less than a slap on the wrist, the same holds true for the rest of the campus. Is that really the message we want to convey to the entire academic community?
Of course not, but it just happened.
Accusations and facts alike have been shoved under the rug to the point that the proverbial rug no longer exists. Instead, we are left with a haphazard pile of debris sitting in the middle of the room for all to see.
This is a job that no broom - or dissertation revision - can clean up.
The Alestle Editorial Board
This situation has gone too far.
The accusations alone made the university look bad enough. The way the situation has been handled has made a mockery of this entire educational institution.
Perhaps, at one point, it seemed easiest to take the quiet way out of this. Nominate an internal review committee. Suggest the dissertation be revised. Go back to business as usual, hoping the world will forget that the university's reputation was ever in jeopardy.
Instead, the university's milquetoastian approach has brought on even more unfavorable attention. The story has been conveyed through news outlets in the state, nation and world. In short, the university's actions have spoken volumes to the public, disparaging the institution's credibility.
A precarious precedent has been set. From this point, any student or faculty member accused of academic dishonesty need look no further than the nearest newspaper to argue his or her case. Clearly, if plagiarism by the university president warrants less than a slap on the wrist, the same holds true for the rest of the campus. Is that really the message we want to convey to the entire academic community?
Of course not, but it just happened.
Accusations and facts alike have been shoved under the rug to the point that the proverbial rug no longer exists. Instead, we are left with a haphazard pile of debris sitting in the middle of the room for all to see.
This is a job that no broom - or dissertation revision - can clean up.
The Alestle Editorial Board
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Preston
posted 10/16/07 @ 10:52 AM CST
thank you for saying what needs to be said.
Frances12BDB
Frances
posted 10/20/07 @ 6:42 AM CST
Thanks for nothing. This didn't work in Carbondale--trying to assassinate an 'enemy' of a 'friend'--I smell AFAC here. Any people in common with the Alestle and DE? Like a former advisor? so as the good jobs get scarce, we'll just attack one another and 'take 'em out?' shame on you. (Continued…)
John
posted 10/20/07 @ 11:27 AM CST
^^^^
Your an idiot
Ch 2, AFAC Playbook?
posted 10/21/07 @ 7:15 PM CST
Why did they put numbers (from password?) next to Francis' comments. To scare people who say stuff they don't like? Really Alestle! This is really dirty. (Continued…)
Erik
posted 10/22/07 @ 8:52 AM CST
The Daily Egyptian has censured the students.
Due to negative comments being made about how the DE has handled the Poshard situation, the DE has suspended all comment posting on its website. (Continued…)
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