University Policy on Plagiarism

Key information: Senate accepted recommendations on ways in which new staff, existing staff and students might be made more aware of University policy on plagiarism (prevention and response) , encouraging good academic practice and reducing the number of students appearing before Senate Assessors for Discipline.

For whom: Teachers and administrators who need to know University policy on plagiarism and how to apply it.

Summary: Senate accepted the recommendations of a working group set up following discussion (November 2006) of a report from Assessors for Discipline. The group was led by Dr Kathryn Lowe, Senior Senate Assessor for Discipline and recommended a number of ways in which new staff, existing staff and students might be made more aware of University policy on plagiarism (prevention and response). These included:

1. Suggested ways in which University policy might be more clearly expressed in the New Lecturer and Teacher Programme. 
2. Suggested ways of increasing awareness among current staff of University policy – these including a presentation from one of the Senate Assessors for Discipline at departmental meetings.
3. Adaptation of Indiana University material to produce a student quiz or course; consideration of use of such material being mandatory.
4. Special provision for international students to include material such as Hugh Piper’s Avoiding Plagiarism.
5. Introduction of a standard coversheet for student coursework to include declaration and statement of University policy.
6. Extension of pilot study of TurnitinUK (detection software). 
7. Review by Senate Office of guidance to staff to ensure it is clear and robust.

Full details of the recommendations are available in the Working Group's Report.

Date effective: Recommendations to be implemented with immediate effect.

Policy No.: N/A

Approved by: Senate, 7 June 2007