Global views on plagiarism
Story by Independent student reporter Léo Washburn
Clark has seen a 143 percent increase in international student enrollment this year, led by 130 students from Saudi Arabia. College officials note that the influx has generated new challenges related to cultural differences. (Graphic by Diana Aristizabal)
An international student was facing charges of plagiarism for having copied a classmate’s work. The young woman’s defense to the Clark College Behavioral Intervention Threat Assessment team was that she didn’t think she’d done anything wrong. In her country, students are supposed to show up to class with their work done to show they are prepared to understand what is being taught. Even if it means copying from a fellow student.
As Clark welcomes more students from around the world to its campus – 213 this year so far – these students, as well as domestic students, faculty and staff, are facing a plethora of challenges centered around cultural differences.
“I lived and taught in Poland and students there told me ‘if you don’t copy you’re stupid. Why wouldn’t you copy the paper of someone who is smarter than you’ Copying around the world is not always seen as plagiarism,” Jane Walster, Director of International Programs said.
I attended Clark College from 2009-2012. The education I received more than prepared me for transfer to another school to complete degrees in both Health Care Administration and Business Administration. This was because the standards of behavior, of teaching, and of the quality of work were high.
http://www.clarkcollegefoundation.org/global-views-plagiarism/
When I read the article (see link above), I felt a certain amount of disdain as the writer defended as cultural differences the attitude that plagiarism was acceptable. As an alumni, this disturbs me greatly as it implies the first inroads of a double standard. Rules should be enforced equally between all students, without regard of where they, or their tuition comes from. That is the cornerstone of academic integrity. No excuses are acceptable.
Kevin Armstrong, AA, 2012
Thanks for your comments Kevin. We appreciate your opinion.
~Rhonda Morin, blog editor