Written by Dong, 2021 Cohort
For most college students or scholars, plagiarism is a you-know-what word that scares them a lot. Despite its terror-stricken legend, there are still a lot of plagiaristic cases that happen between times all over the world. Since I have the floor for the topic (I can tell you later), I will explain to you what plagiarism is today and the differences in punishment between different universities in different countries.
Take my undergraduate university as an example. It’s a Chinese university, and people here are very clear that they might be facing serious penalties including but not limited to retaking classes, informing their parents and dropping out if they cheat in any exams. Besides, when I was about to hand in my graduation paper, my mentor introduced the after-effect if we cheated in the academic composition. That is, generally, there are two rounds for duplicate review. One is conducted on the graduation year, you shall get 2 chances to reduce duplication rate before your final publication. People whose duplication rate is above 30% won’t be granted a degree of bachelor. Another one is in the second year after graduation. In China, the ministry of education conducts a strict review action from the year of 2021. It’s reported that around 0.7% bachelors will be selected randomly for re-checking, if their duplication rate is above a certain number, universities must withdraw their bachelor degree. This shocking measure is probably to avoid peer plagiarism, for the checking system won’t include papers that were published on the graduation year.
Most situations are similar to Canadian academic regulations. But I dare say, Canadian universities define clearer and more detailed items for academic plagiarism. In SFU, a great academic name in Canada, integrity plays an essential part in its community. To avoid plagiarism, SFU describes the definition of plagiarism, the consequences of plagiarism, and tips for avoiding plagiarism on its official website. This page is more logical and interactive, also more intriguing and persuasive for students who are bored to death with words. Especially it introduces the concept of paper mills. Their purpose is obviously not to punish but to help students. When it comes to discipline policies, UBSD (University Board on Student Discipline) and parties concerned use formally legal descriptions to explain the procedures and policies of plagiarism. This is the most strict regulation that I have seen (apparently compared to my previous universities). Firstly, it’s rather formal and comprehensive. Unlike my previous universities, SFU academic dishonesty for students is a sole part in written documents that contain so much more stuff. Secondly, it’s more feasible. From hearing to decision-making and penalties, it specifies the acting and receiving subjects to an executable level. UBSD looks like an expert in carrying out those regulations. Thirdly, cheaters might be sued by UBSD. Fourthly, I notice that community service is also a kind of penalty that doesn’t exist in my university. As I mentioned in the beginning, I have witnessed my undergraduate roommates who cheated in the exam of digital electronic circuits. It’s a difficult exam, and they were caught on the spot for using their cellphones. But their penalties were not so critical as they would have been at SFU. One was absolved when passing the postgraduate examination, and the other just delayed a term to retake the course.
Above all, no matter what the case is, I will keep this in mind: learning can’t deceive, it will feedback to your life sooner or later.
Sources:
https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1688219599159777249&wfr=spider&for=pc
https://grs.hqu.edu.cn/info/1053/3730.htm
https://www.lib.sfu.ca/help/academic-integrity/plagiarism
http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-02.html