The number of reported plagiarism cases has decreased at St. Edward’s University, according to a university official.

This is contrary to the findings of a recent report, which concluded that plagiarism is increasing nationally.

“I can tell you that in the last three years the number of academic dishonesty incident reports has declined from an average of 36 a year the first four years to an average of 22 a year over the last three years,” said Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Molly Minus.

Meanwhile, the Pew Research Center, in conjunction with the Chronicle of Higher Education, found that 55 percent of college and university presidents reported a rise in plagiarism over the last decade. Another 40 percent said plagiarism has stayed the same while two percent said it has decreased.

Of those who said that plagiarism had increased, 89 percent said that computers and the Internet have contributed to plagiarism increasing.

The online survey interviewed 1,055 university presidents of two- and four-year private, public and for-profit colleges and universities.

The current academic integrity policy implemented in 2004 at St. Edward’s is one reason plagiarism has decreased, Minus said. 

A newly-formed committee will soon begin assessing the current academic integrity policy.

“It may change; it may not, but that’s what this committee is going to be doing this year,” Minus said.

According to the current policy, if a faculty member believes a student has plagiarized, then they can take several different measures. They can fill out an academic dishonesty incident report which eventually goes to Minus and then the Office of Registrar.

On the report, the student, the professor and the dean of the school in which the student plagiarized all must sign. The instructor also must describe what the student plagiarized.

“I’ve had teachers that have attached the whole paper to the back of the form,” Minus said.

The instructor must also describe what penalty he or she will give the student. The maximum penalty a student can receive during the first report of plagiarism is an F in the course. A student cannot withdraw from the course after that grade is given.

However, some instructors decide not to file a report with Minus and penalize the student based on what they see as appropriate.

Minus said that sometimes students plagiarize accidentally. This is why most faculty members meet with the student to discuss the incident before filling out an academic dishonesty incident report. 

As concerned as the faculty is with plagiarism, students seem to be as well.

“I have had students e-mail me when they witness plagiarism,” Minus said.

According to the academic integrity policy, if a student receives the maximum penalty of an F in a course twice, there is an automatic academic appeal, and Minus has the authority to dismiss the student from the university.

“We’ve only had one student expelled from the university due to plagiarism since 2004,” Minus said.

Minus believes that the low number comes from the faculty handling cases of plagiarism on their own and not always using the maximum penalty against students.

Minus also believes that students take plagiarism seriously.

“I think that an F is sufficient enough for a student to not plagiarize again,” Minus said.

Professor Jennifer Mata experienced a couple of instances of plagiarism at the university where she previously worked.

“It really does matter when students plagiarize. When they don’t, it shows that they value their education, they have a system of ethics and they abide by the university’s mission,” Mata said.

As a new professor at St. Edward’s, Mata believes a good system is in place.

“This department does emphasize that students aren’t supposed to plagiarize and they have Turn-it-in,” Mata said.