Missing Inaction

OK, gang, I apologize for missing the Great Plagiarism Debate. I tend to agree with Sam, but I wanted to add one point . . . and that's that students often don't understand the actual cost of getting caught plagiarizing. But, unfortunately, this requires placing the violation on the student's permanent record. Which, I agree with TMcD, is often a major pain in the ass, because universities are much more concerned about having to defend a lawsuit than with enforcing academic norms.

The cost is this: a plagiarism violation on a student's permanent record will be an inconvenience, at least, if the student ever applies to law school, to a state bar, or for a position in government for which a background check is required. A serious-enough violation might cost a student a spot in a law school class, a legal position, or even a promotion in the military. Even if the student can get through these hoops by explaining the violation, the student will fell increasingly ashamed, as the years go on, of the student decisions s/he made in her/his university years. Tell your students: "Can you imagine having to explain to a potential employer why you cheated on this measly assignment, in twenty years? Because if you cheat, I will catch you, and you will have to look at your shoes and explain your stupid, juvenile "choices" to that potential employer. And you don't want to have to do that."

Students are very focused on the here-and-now, but maybe it's a good idea (1) to remind students that they will have to live with the record they create, in that here-and-now, for the rest of their lives, and (2) to inform students that many, many institutions in our society take plagiarism much, much more seriously than their drinking buddies.

Maybe this doesn't apply in the U.K. I don't know.