2008 Woodie Awards
Administration releases statement on split from SIU
Catherine Klene
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift, along with 14 other SIUE administrators and deans, released a letter to the SIUE community Friday in response to the debate surrounding Southern Illinois University President Glenn Poshard's recent incidents of inadvertent plagiarism.
In the letter, the administrators discouraged the idea of separation from the SIU system, an idea first proposed by philosophy professor Robert Ware, supported in a petition by 32 faculty signatures, including four anonymous persons.
The letter also emphasized the importance of civility and respect in a debate focused on students and academic integrity.
The administrators also encouraged a revised plagiarism policy and the reform of the faculty-staff listserv to "provide for electronic campus debate for those wishing to participate, while also providing a listserv devoted solely to university business," the letter said.
Vandegrift said the amount of discussion on the listserv prompted the administration to issue the letter.
"There has been a lot of conversation on the campus about this, especially involving the listserv," Vandegrift said. "We felt it was time to make a statement about retaining civility during the conversation."
Some faculty members and students were displeased when the SIUC plagiarism review committee found instances of "inadvertent plagiarism" in Poshard's 1984 doctoral dissertation and recommended he change errors in the document, and that no further action be taken. The SIU Board of Trustees supported the review committee's findings.
Student Senate President Laurie Estilette declined to comment on the issue, saying the Student Senate had not yet discussed it as a group.
In response to the committee's findings, the Faculty Senate voted to call for Poshard's resignation.
Vandegrift said he was surprised the Faculty Senate made this decision. Although he spoke with Faculty Senate President Kay Covington about the matter, he has no plans to attend the meeting unless invited to do so.
Covington could not be reached for comment as of Wednesday evening.
As for separation, Vandegrift said he was "absolutely not in favor."
In the letter, the administrators said SIUE's goal of academic excellence has been "enhanced by our membership in one of the only two university systems in Illinois."
Vandegrift said although he is always concerned about the university's reputation, he did not feel these events would affect its future.
"In the long term, our reputation will not be impacted," Vandegrift said.
He said the members of the SIUE community and the public recognize the value and quality of an SIUE degree. Vandegrift said he believed the university will overcome the situation, and it will become stronger as a result.
In the letter, the administrators discouraged the idea of separation from the SIU system, an idea first proposed by philosophy professor Robert Ware, supported in a petition by 32 faculty signatures, including four anonymous persons.
The letter also emphasized the importance of civility and respect in a debate focused on students and academic integrity.
The administrators also encouraged a revised plagiarism policy and the reform of the faculty-staff listserv to "provide for electronic campus debate for those wishing to participate, while also providing a listserv devoted solely to university business," the letter said.
Vandegrift said the amount of discussion on the listserv prompted the administration to issue the letter.
"There has been a lot of conversation on the campus about this, especially involving the listserv," Vandegrift said. "We felt it was time to make a statement about retaining civility during the conversation."
Some faculty members and students were displeased when the SIUC plagiarism review committee found instances of "inadvertent plagiarism" in Poshard's 1984 doctoral dissertation and recommended he change errors in the document, and that no further action be taken. The SIU Board of Trustees supported the review committee's findings.
Student Senate President Laurie Estilette declined to comment on the issue, saying the Student Senate had not yet discussed it as a group.
In response to the committee's findings, the Faculty Senate voted to call for Poshard's resignation.
Vandegrift said he was surprised the Faculty Senate made this decision. Although he spoke with Faculty Senate President Kay Covington about the matter, he has no plans to attend the meeting unless invited to do so.
Covington could not be reached for comment as of Wednesday evening.
As for separation, Vandegrift said he was "absolutely not in favor."
In the letter, the administrators said SIUE's goal of academic excellence has been "enhanced by our membership in one of the only two university systems in Illinois."
Vandegrift said although he is always concerned about the university's reputation, he did not feel these events would affect its future.
"In the long term, our reputation will not be impacted," Vandegrift said.
He said the members of the SIUE community and the public recognize the value and quality of an SIUE degree. Vandegrift said he believed the university will overcome the situation, and it will become stronger as a result.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Professor Ware aka Dr. Quack
posted 11/05/07 @ 11:56 AM CST
OMG!!! Vandegrift is in bed with Poshard!! Everyone panic!!!
We're all gonna die!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
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